Christian pacifism

Christian pacifism. It is the theological and ethical position that any form of violence, including war, is incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. Adherents believe that following the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the injunctions to "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemies," requires a commitment to nonviolent resistance. This stance has been maintained by various individuals, churches, and movements throughout the history of Christianity, often placing them in tension with prevailing political and ecclesiastical authorities.

Definition and theological basis

The position holds that the core message of Jesus in the Gospels mandates a rejection of lethal force. Key scriptural foundations include the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, passages in the Gospel of Luke, and the example of Jesus submitting to death on the cross. Early Christian writers like Tertullian and Origen argued that followers of Christ could not serve in the Roman army or use violence, citing the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" from the Ten Commandments. The theology often emphasizes the concept of the Kingdom of God as a present reality requiring a different ethic, as explored by modern theologians such as John Howard Yoder in his work *The Politics of Jesus*.

Historical development

In the first three centuries, many early Christians practiced non-participation in the military, as seen in writings from Justin Martyr and the account of the Theban Legion. After the Edict of Milan and the conversion of Constantine the Great, the dominant church tradition shifted toward doctrines like the Just War theory, articulated by Augustine of Hippo. Pacifist strands persisted, however, in medieval movements like the Waldensians and some followers of Francis of Assisi. The Protestant Reformation saw the emergence of the historic peace churches, including the Mennonites founded by Menno Simons and the Quakers established by George Fox. The 20th century witnessed a resurgence through the Civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr., influenced by the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.

Denominational perspectives

The three traditional peace churches are the Quakers (Religious Society of Friends), the Mennonites (including the Amish and Hutterites), and the Church of the Brethren. These groups, originating from the Radical Reformation, formally reject all war. Within Catholicism, while the Magisterium upholds Just War theory, pacifist voices are found in communities like the Catholic Worker Movement co-founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. Some Anabaptist conferences and certain Protestant denominations, such as the Bruderhof Communities, maintain a strict stance. Other traditions, like the United Methodist Church or the Anglican Communion, contain pacifist minorities but do not hold it as official doctrine.

Key arguments and critiques

Proponents argue that Jesus' teachings in the Gospel of Matthew and his response during his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane provide a clear model. They point to the success of nonviolent campaigns like the Salt March in India and the Montgomery bus boycott in the United States. Critics, including proponents of Just War theory like Thomas Aquinas and modern thinkers such as Reinhold Niebuhr, contend that pacifism can enable greater evils like the Third Reich or the Khmer Rouge. Theological debates often center on interpretations of passages like the Cleansing of the Temple and the role of governing authorities described in the Epistle to the Romans.

Notable adherents and movements

Significant historical figures include Desiderius Erasmus, who wrote *The Complaint of Peace*; William Lloyd Garrison, a leading abolitionist; and novelist Leo Tolstoy, author of *The Kingdom of God Is Within You*. In the 20th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer initially held pacifist views before his involvement in the July 20 plot, while Martin Luther King Jr. applied it through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Modern movements include the Pax Christi international network, the Plowshares Movement, and individuals like Jean Vanier of L'Arche and César Chávez of the United Farm Workers. The Mennonite Central Committee and the American Friends Service Committee are prominent humanitarian agencies operating from this tradition.

Category:Christian ethics Category:Pacifism Category:Christian theology