It is true that the title of this post, my
seventh thesis on war and peace in the Bible, is a quote from the New
Testament. But it is impossible to read through Genesis – 2 Kings and not come
to the identical conclusion.
The thesis represents an incontrovertible
truth, and is proof positive for many that one should not live by the sword. That
would indeed be the case, if it were not for the fact that there are worse ways
to die than by the sword. For example, one can die of old age under a tyrant
because, though you might have risked your life with others in the effort to topple
him, you chose instead to live and let die.
The thesis might be illustrated by any number
of biblical texts. Instead, in my next post, I will illustrate it through the
life story of Nobel Peace Prize winner José Ramos-Horta.
John, read this verse in context! Jesus certainly did not mean "Live by the sword if you want to have a good death". No, he meant "Do not live by the sword!", as he makes very clear in the immediately preceding words "Put your sword back in its place" (Matthew 26:52). It seems that you are grossly distorting the message of the New Testament to make it fit your warlike presuppositions. Instead you should allow the Bible to challenge your presuppositions.
Posted by: Peter Kirk | February 13, 2008 at 04:48 AM
Peter, I encourage you to read the follow-post to this one.
If you think that Matthew 26:52 is to be generalized to mean that followers of Jesus, under no circumstances, are to make use of the sword, I think you are sorely mistaken. But I know from earlier exchanges that you do not so generalize. I fail to see a difference at the level of principle between us.
You are right, however, that I am using the phrase without regard to its context in the gospel of Matthew, but in a broader sense, to reflect a truth that is recognizable irrespective of whether one is a absolute pacifist, a some-time pacifist, or a some-time advocate of war as the lesser of two evils.
Yes, and speaking as a former soft pacifist, it was my study of the Bible combined with life experiences that challenged my presuppositions on this issue.
Posted by: JohnFH | February 13, 2008 at 09:22 AM
John, thanks for the moving story of Ramos-Horta. I don't condemn him given his situation, but I don't agree with him either.
The first part of Matthew 26:52 is obviously for the specific situation. But in the second part he gives a proverb, whether his own or someone else's (indeed it clearly echoes Genesis 9:6 and Exodus 21:12), which is clearly intended to have general application. I agree that it is too strong to interpret is meaning that "followers of Jesus, under no circumstances, are to make use of the sword". But it certainly points to how undesirable this is, even in the original context of attempting to save someone from unjust death.
Posted by: Peter Kirk | February 13, 2008 at 04:12 PM
I agree with you, Peter. I know few people who are in the army or who are law-officers who revel in violence (those who do revel in it should not pack heat). It is undesirable by nature.
Posted by: JohnFH | February 13, 2008 at 05:04 PM