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Pacifism. The word inspires feelings of hostility among many Christians here in the United States. In fact, claim to be a hard core pacifist, and many question if you are a Christian at all. Where does this animosity come from? How is it that anti-pacifism is the favorable position for the majority of churchgoers here in the U.S.?
My own feelings on pacifism started in the early days of my pursuit of Christ. The sermon on the mount especially challenged my ideas about warfare. Could I be a soldier if I were drafted? Could I kill another human being, even if I believed the cause to be just? If someone were certainly going to kill me, does that give me the right to pull the trigger?
These are questions we all must face when looking at the teachings of the one we call Christ. The answers are not easy, and unfortunately, they are not black and white. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a pacifist who participated in a plot to kill Hitler. How many would fault him for his attempt?
Of course, at the time Bonhoeffer was conspiring to take Hitler's life, it was already becoming evident to the German people what was happening to the Jews who had been their neighbors. Of the assassination plot, Bonhoeffer said it would be a sin to take Hitler's life, but it would be a greater sin to let him live. This differentiates Bonhoeffer from many today who would call the current war in Iraq a righteous war.
Anti-Pacifism
What really strikes me about our current situation is the dominance of anti-pacifism. Even here on the "liberal" west coast, I talk to many Christians who think I am anti-American and possibly anti-Christian because I lean towards pacifism. I shudder to think what it is like in the land of my more conservative Hoosier roots.
Given the words of our Lord Jesus, anti-pacifist sentiment astounds me. Differing interpretations are understandable in this life which is full of complexities, but animosity towards a clearly legitimate position which at least seems to fall closer to Christ's teaching baffles me. Read these words with an open heart, and ask yourself would this person easily, or at all, go to war:
"You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. "Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. "You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:38-48 NAS95)
Because of this teaching and others, the Church has had to come to terms with war since Constantine converted and the Roman Empire became a Christian Empire. For a few hundred years prior to this, the church clearly maintained pacifist beliefs. The most glorious end to a Christian's life in the days prior to Constantine was to peacefully surrender to martyrdom, if chosen to be martyred, and honor Christ by not denying Him. When the Empire now took on the label, "Christian," martyrdom became a non-issue and questions on war began to surface. Was it not just to defend yourself from invaders? Is it not good to go to war with those who pose a threat to the length and breadth of the Empire? Under Constantine, soldiers first brandished shields carrying the emblem of the cross.
Augustine first espoused the doctrine of "Just War," which was later expanded upon by Thomas Aquinas. Given the horrific things which leaders of nations are capable of, the church espoused a doctrine of war which would allow for it only under certain conditions. An article on suite101.com summarizes Auguistine's Just War Doctrine well:
Most scholars point to St. Augustine of Hippo as the formulator of the Doctrine of the Just War. Extrapolated from The City of God, the principles have been formulated into these eight statements:
+ War must be the last resort after all other possible solutions have been tried and failed.
+ The reason for the war must be to redress rights actually violated or to defend against unjust demands backed by force.
+ The war must be openly and legally declared by a lawful government.
+ There must be a reasonable chance of winning.
+ Soldiers must try to distinguish between armies and civilians and never kill civilians on purpose.
+ The means used in fighting the war must be "proportionate" to the end sought.
+ The good to be done by the war must outweigh the evil which the war would do.
+ The winner must never require the utter humiliation of the loser.
(The full article can be read at : "What is a 'Just War'")
Augustine developed this theology out of necessity. For years, there had been talk that pacifist Christians were not good citizens of the Empire. When the Roman Empire fell, Augustine felt the need to show that Christians can be good citizens. Augustine was a great philosopher, and he argues his points well in The City of God. However, did he arrive at this doctrine because he was following Christ, or because he was looking to avoid conflict between Christians and non in a fallen Empire? While his arguments are logical, do they truly represent Christ?
Some feel Augustine's doctrine makes sense and rings true with the teachings of our Lord. The doctrine has dominated church theology and philosophy since his day. What have been the results of this doctrine?
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Dear Oozer,
To be a Christian is to be a pacifist. To be a non-pacifist is to be a non-Christian.
Thanks, Gary Cummings Bi-vocational minister/pacifist Vietnam C.O.
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Dear Oozer,
To be a Christian is to be a pacifist. To be a non-pacifist is to be a non-Christian.
Thanks, Gary Cummings Bi-vocational minister/pacifist Vietnam C.O.
Posted by Gary Cummings | Posted at 03/17/2008 7:27 PM