God Commands Righteous Violence

[Matthias]

“Some Christians don’t want the Prince of Peace; they want a prince who packs a piece.”

(John Fugelsang, Separation of Church and Hate, p. 244)

Mr. Fugelsang has a point, but I think it’s too sharp.

All Christians want the Prince of Peace. The issue is what his followers are to be doing during the interim period between his ascension and his second coming.

 

[Nathaniel]

How would you describe pacifism? Do you think of it as passive, doing nothing at all?

Webster's definition is as good as any other.

But as I stated, I'm not a pacifist. Which to me means that yes, I have no problem using violence when called for.
I made that prayerful decision many years ago when confronted with the unavoidable fact that the world around me was becoming increasingly violent.

I will defend my family and friends, and depending on the circumstances, a stranger in distress, and my immediate community.

I will defend my own life as well, but not in regards to my faith. If I am threatened as a believer, such as being placed in a position to deny Christ or lose my head or face imprisonment, at that point I will surrender to Providence and joyfully accept whatever fate awaits me.

 

[Matthias]

Webster's definition is as good as any other.

Merriam-Webster definition of pacifism -

“1. opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes

2. an attitude or policy of non-resistance”

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacifism

Does the definition reflect the teaching and practice of Jesus and the apostles?

But as I stated, I'm not a pacifist. Which to me means that yes, I have no problem using violence when called for.
I made that prayerful decision many years ago when confronted with the unavoidable fact that the world around me was becoming increasingly violent.

Jesus and the apostles encountered the same hostile world environment. What level of violence did they use when called for?

I will defend my family and friends, and depending on the circumstances, a stranger in distress, and my immediate community.

I don’t think defending family and friends is the issue. The issue is how Jesus and the apostles taught and modeled for the followers of Jesus how to defend them.

I will defend my own life as well, but not in regards to my faith. If I am threatened as a believer, such as being placed in a position to deny Christ or lose my head or face imprisonment, at that point I will surrender to Providence and joyfully accept whatever fate awaits me.

The OP is teaching his readers: “You are not a follower of Jesus if you aren’t armed, ready to kill.”

I take it from what you’ve written that you don’t agree with his teaching. From your reading of scripture, do Jesus and the apostles? Do you know of any church which is teaching it? (I’ve searched and found only a few fringe groups that come close to it.)

 

[JimKnox]

To the OP:
Vlad was not Christian in the Biblical sense.
However: as the ruler of his country, he DID defend his country from an invading horde of Mohammedans.
His methods were barbaric. No doubt.
Has anyone in this thread ever read of the barbaric tactics of the Mohammedans who were coming to destroy Walachia?
It behooves you to maintain a balanced view of these events from over 500 years ago.

Bear in mind that America, ( a so called 'Christian' nation) literally melted, and burned to death, tens of thousands of people in war.

War is hell.