DAY 357
CHALLENGE
“For Christians, violence is never permitted. Jesus teaches strict pacifism when he says, ‘Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’ (Matt. 5:39).”
DEFENSE
What Jesus teaches in one passage must be read in light of what he teaches elsewhere.
Jesus’ statement about turning the other cheek occurs in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7), but in the same discourse he draws a distinction between the natural, human response and a supernatural response that goes beyond it. The first is morally acceptable, but it does not result in an eternal reward. The second goes beyond what is morally required and does result in an eternal reward (cf. Matt. 5:43–47).
Self-defense is a human response. It is a morally acceptable but merely human response, and it does not result in a reward from God. Turning the other cheek is a supernatural response and, all things being equal, it can result in a reward from God.
The fact that Jesus is not opposed to self-defense as a human response is indicated in Luke 22 where, in view of mounting danger, Jesus tells his disciples, “And let him who has no sword sell his mantle and buy one” (Luke 22:36). This indicates that Jesus recognized that the use of lethal force in self-defense—for swords were used to kill aggressors—was morally permissible.
Other passages in the New Testament indicate a similar legitimacy for the use of lethal force. Thus Paul states, “If then I am a wrongdoer, and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death” (Acts 25:11a). Similarly, Paul tells his readers:
Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; he is the servant of God to execute his wrath on the wrongdoer (Rom. 13:3–4).
Swords were not used to spank but to kill people. Therefore, Paul— like Jesus—recognizes the legitimate use of lethal force in some circumstances.