The organized killing called war (not to be confused w/local police action) is incompatible with the way of Christ. Deep down you know this.
— Brian Zahnd (@BrianZahnd) May 27, 2013
The Way of Jesus and war
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The organized killing called war (not to be confused w/local police action) is incompatible with the way of Christ. Deep down you know this.
— Brian Zahnd (@BrianZahnd) May 27, 2013
Rev 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called “Faithful†and “True,†and with justice he judges and goes to war. 19:12 His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. 19:13 He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God. 19:14 The armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, were following him on white horses. 19:15 From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. 19:16 He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: “King of kings and Lord of lords.â€
Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Re 19:11–16.
Are you justifying the wars of men based on John’s prophetic vision?
“War is not ‘the best way of settling differences; it is the only way of preventing their being settled for you.†– G K Chesterton, Illustrated London News, 7/24/15.
While war is a terrible thing, there are times when it is justified,
My point was that Brian Zahnd said war was incompatible with Jesus; based on Rev 19:11 (and Rev 2:16; 11:7; 12:7, 17; 13:4, 7; 17:14) it sure looks to me that war and Jesus are not incompatible.
The fact that Rev. 2:16 & 19:15 says he has a sword extending from his mouth and verse 16 says he has a tattoo down his thigh gives me pause to think that this passage might be written as symbolic and not literally (as does most of Revelation).
Rev 11:7 seems to suggest that a beast coming out of “the pit” is making war – not Jesus.
Rev. 12:7 talks about a war in heaven between angels and dragons – and this dragon made war with “the woman” not the other way around.
Rev. 13:4 says that those who are worshiping the beast are asking the question, “Who is able to make war against this dragon.” Doesn’t even suggest anyone is making war – its like they’re bragging in their worship, “Our dragon is so awesome that no one can make war against it.
Rev 13:7 says the dragon made war against the saints – not the other way around.
Rev 17:14 says “these shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them.” I don’t know any lamb that overcomes anything by fighting or waging war. I think if we look at Jesus as the example – he overcame by laying down his life – not picking up his sword.
All that to say, when I read the writings about Jesus and what he said while he dwelt amongst us – his language and his message was one of love and forgiveness, not gather your swords and attack the enemies.
When I think about whether war is justified, I think back to this story Tony Campolo shares about the leader of the Orthodox church in Bulgaria during WWII: http://casadeblundell.com/jonathan/i-want-to-be-a-pacifist-until/ This is the image I have when I read “these shall make war with the Lamb and the Lamb shall overcome the.”
And also as an aside, “War is not ‘the best way of settling differences; it is the only way of preventing their being settled for you”? What part of that quote sounds like something Jesus would teach? “Yes Peter, your right – you only need to forgive someone 70×7 – after that you can wage war to settle your differences.”
Yes there is considerable symbolism in Revelation—however the point that Jesus is engaged in a major conflict with His enemies is unmistakably clear. John writing under the Holy Spirit even calls it war!
Yes you are absolutely correct – Jesus came to lay down His life at the first advent. However that does not mean when he comes again he will be coming to lay His life down again.
Suppose that the second person of the Trinity said, “Ok Satan, I am not going to war against your kingdom—you can keep all of fallen humanity.†Jesus instead chose to settle His dispute with Satan on His terms—which includes Satan destruction by violence and eternal captivity.
Yes, over-all we “Christians†have done a lousy job of Loving one another, let alone loving our enemy. Allow me to suggest two reasons: 1) Mature believers have not taught new Christians what love is—most Christians think that love is a mushy emotion that comes and goes! 2) Loving others is really hard and requires a level of dedication and trust that most of us are just too lazy to pursue .