Commentary: The Few. The Proud. The Plowshares

[CopyBoy]

What is a former Marine doing writing about non-violence? I know it may seem strange or maybe even a little radical. For most Christians I talk to these days, it is. But my question is why? Why is Christian non-violence a “radical” idea? I passionately believe it shouldn’t be, yet it is a teaching, which is widely neglected from our pulpits on Sunday mornings. I also believe the reason why most Christians in America don’t embrace Christian non-violence is their allegiances are mixed between State and Savior. However, as I unpack my journey, I hope we will all revisit scripture and what it says about violence.

patheos.com/blogs/theologyintheraw/2016/01/the-few-the-proud-the-plowshares/

 

[Son_of_Niall]

Good article, something to think about.

 

[Mintaka]

No, it’s well-meaning but stupid. It’s the same error as someone confusing "I am called to live as a monk and never marry or have kids " with “Everyone is called to live as a monk and never marry or have kids.”

There will be a time when all are nonviolent, but that will be after Jesus’ rather violent mopping up at the Second Coming. Until that time, we are told that there will be war, and that God even teaches some men to fight, and that bows and swords and fortresses come from the Lord.

Similarly, there will be a time when nobody marries or is given in marriage, but it has not come yet.

 

[Son_of_Niall]

No, it’s well-meaning but stupid. It’s the same error as someone confusing "I am called to live as a monk and never marry or have kids " with “Everyone is called to live as a monk and never marry or have kids.”

There will be a time when all are nonviolent, but that will be after Jesus’ rather violent mopping up at the Second Coming. Until that time, we are told that there will be war, and that God even teaches some men to fight, and that bows and swords and fortresses come from the Lord.

Similarly, there will be a time when nobody marries or is given in marriage, but it has not come yet.

First of all the only “violent mopping up at the Second Coming” I have been exposed to comes from fundamentalists and evangelicals. We are Catholic.
Secondly, I suspect a country like the US, drunk with war and a military industrial complex out of control, would disagree with the article.
The Catholic Church does indeed have a just war policy. But what constitutes that is up to the Church, not private interpretation.

 

[theropod]

First of all the only “violent mopping up at the Second Coming” I have been exposed to comes from fundamentalists and evangelicals. We are Catholic.

You are right. The goats will be non-violently placed in the lake of fire for all eternity.