This world is a dangerous place in which there is much war and bloodshed. Many live in terror as merciless killers can and do strike at any time or place. Now is the time in which Christians ought clearly to show what it means to be followers of Christ in a crooked and perverse world.
Biblical Christianity has never been a religion of bloodshed. This pertains to the overall nature of Christianity set over against false characterizations often heard from unbelievers about the warmongering nature of religion. Some will oppose all religion on the basis that religion has been the cause of so much killing. This is an overgeneralization that fails to understand the actual differences between religions. Christianity was founded on principles of peace and love, and there is no justification for lumping Christians into a category that characterizes them as killers.
This truth should be readily accepted by anyone who has a knowledge of the principles upon which Christ built His church. For example:
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9)
- “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” (Matt 5:38-39).
- “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” (Matt 5:43-44). Luke’s account says, “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28).
- “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you” (Matt 7:12).
- Loving neighbor is said to be the second greatest commandment behind loving God (Matt 22:36-40), and “love does no wrong to a neighbor” (Rom. 13:10). Under Christ, His people would never again learn war (Isa 2:4).
- “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world” (John 18:36).
There are many more passages teaching Christians to show love, to be merciful, to reach out to the lost, but there is not a single passage teaching that Christians are a people of bloodshed and war. Therefore, to place biblical Christianity in the same category as religions that promote war is to mischaracterize and malign the truth of Christ and His foundations for how He desires people to treat others, including their enemies.
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:8-10).
The truth here is simple and clear for anyone who reads the New Testament. Christianity is about peace, love, truth, grace, mercy, and salvation. It is neither a political nor a warmongering movement. Christians know that not everyone will like them. They know they will be opposed. However, true Christians are not going to target unbelievers to hurt or kill them. They will target unbelievers to teach the gospel, but that’s it. Shedding blood is simply not part of anything ever taught by Christ or the apostles, and no amount of “what ifs” will ever change that.
Objections
1. What about the bloodshed in the Old Testament?
First know that the Old Testament represents a very different time and circumstance. While God exercised His right to carry out judgments on the nations, including His own nation of Israel, His intention all along was to bring about change under Christ (Isa 2:1-4). There is a context for these judgments, and God has every right to take down nations as they do evil. However, it is irresponsible to transfer the actions of those in the limited era prior to Christ to those who live after and under Christ. Those who would do so show a basic ignorance of the overall purpose of Scripture, the covenants, and what God intended to do in carrying out His plan for salvation and redemption. Bloodshed in the Old Testament proves nothing about what Christ taught His followers to be and do as they conform themselves to His teachings.
2. What about the Crusades and other killings promoted by Christianity through the ages?
The key to understanding the point being made here is to recognize true Christianity as taught in Scripture, which is not to be confused with erroneous and perverted movements that were born of apostasy. Attaching the name of Christ to something that is ugly and without His approval does not make it right (see Matt 7:21-23); rather, such only takes His name in vain. The Crusades were not waged based on the teachings of Christ. No edict from a Pope or church leader can change what Christ and His apostles taught. Movements using Christ’s name that involved war and killing are simply not of Christ. How is that even debatable?
Why is this important?
Recognizing the truth about what Christ taught is important because so many have misconceptions about religion as a whole, and specifically about biblical Christianity. Christians must show the difference through how they treat one another and how they treat unbelievers in this dangerous world. Now is the time to show the love of Christ. Now is the time to respond to others with the grace that God has shown us (Col 4:5-6).
Doy Moyer
