The history of the world is replete with violence and bloody conflicts. Many of the world's conflicts have included religious people. In some cases, the wars or acts of violence have been justified as ordained by God.
One thing for sure is that Christians have killed and been killed in their nation's wars as evident by rows and rows of crosses marking the graves of those who gave their lives.
The Christian faith is now about 2,000 years old. Christians have often supported tough and event violent acts of their governments. In contrast, many Christians eschew violence and point to the life of Jesus in the gospels to advocate for compassion and nonviolent responses toward government policies.
When it comes to perspectives on state-sponsored violence and war, Christians are a house-divided.
For those who have only heard what one group of Christians think about God and violence it must be hard to imagine how some Christians support an opposing view. For example, some US Christians appear thrilled that they finally have a president in 2024 who is enforcing the law and removing illegal immigrants--using force if needed-- to send them back to their homelands or put these lawbreakers in prison. Romans 13 is an oft quoted chapter commanding support of the government.
Of course, God massively destroyed humankind in the Genesis flood, which I wrote about at some length last year (Sutton, 2024). And it is well known that God ordered ancient Israel to destroy other tribes (unless you believe, the biblical texts were written by men who used God to justify their actions).
In contrast, many Christians inspired by Jesus' compassion in the gospels and citing God's words about respectful treatment of foreigners (e.g., Leviticus 19: 33-34) post their outrage on social media as many heart-breaking tales emerge.
In this post, I provide a list of Christian justifications for various positions thoughtful Christians present to justify their behavior. I'm not a theologian so, I shall leave it to them to offer the detailed arguments supporting one view or another. Perhaps unfortunately for theologians, most of us can read the Bible and find texts supporting love, kindness, and compassion as well as acts of violence against other people. Perhaps even more confusing is the traditional view that Jesus is one with God present at creation and thus the gospel accounts of Jesus cannot be separated from the acts of God in the Old Testament.
Here's an outline and references on this complex topic.
1. The Role of Government and Divine Authority:
Christians may point to Romans 13:1-7, which states that governing authorities are established by God and serve as God's agents for the good of the people, suggesting a divine basis for governmental authority.
The concept of rulers "bearing the sword" in Romans 13 is interpreted as God granting the government the authority to use force, including violence, to maintain order, punish wrongdoers, and protect citizens.
2. Justice and the Prevention of Evil:
Some Christians believe that violence, when wielded by legitimate authority under just circumstances, is a necessary means to punish serious crimes and deter future violence.
Justifications are also made for the use of force to defend the vulnerable and prevent harm to innocent individuals, drawing upon just war theory and the responsibility to protect others.
3. Just War Theory:
Theologians and ethicists have developed the Just War Theory, which outlines conditions under which war can be considered morally justifiable, including: just cause, legitimate authority, right intention, proportionality, and last resort.
This theory acknowledges that while violence is undesirable, it may be necessary in certain situations to prevent greater harm or injustice.
4. Old Testament Examples:
Certain Old Testament narratives where God commands or sanctions violence, particularly in warfare, are sometimes cited as examples of justified violence when carried out under divine direction.
5. Self-Defense:
Many Christians believe in the right to self-defense, arguing that individuals have a responsibility to protect themselves and others from harm, even if it requires using force.
Biblical passages and legal principles that acknowledge justifiable homicide in self-defense or defense of others are often referenced to support this view.
Psychological Perspectives
If you are interested in psychological perspectives, see "7 Perspectives on Human Nature, God, and Violence."
References
Bellevue College. (n.d.). Principles of the Just War. Bellevue College
Bethinking.org. (n.d.). Old Testament Mass Killings. Bethinking.org
Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. (n.d.). Just war.
Catholic Answers. (2022, November 15). How Far Can a Christian Go in Self-Defense? Catholic Answers
Cold Case Christianity. (2012, June 7). What's the Christian Position Related to the Use of Deadly Force? Cold Case Christianity
Communicate Jesus. (n.d.). How Could A Loving God Command Acts Of Violence As Described In The Old Testament? Communicate Jesus
Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Just War Theory. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Ligonier Ministries. (n.d.). Murder, Self-Defense, and Hatred. Ligonier Ministries
Standing for Freedom Center. (2023, November 3). Three Key Principles About “Just War Theory” and the Christian Tradition. Standing for Freedom Center
Sutton, G. W. (2016). A house divided: Sexuality, morality, and Christian cultures. Pickwick. ISBN: 9781498224888. https://wipfandstock.com/author/geoffrey-w-sutton/ AMAZON. GOOGLE BOOKSTORE
Sutton, G. W. (2024). Irreconcilable differences? Apes, Adam and an ark: Relating Christianity and psychology. Sunflower. ISBN = 979-8323386581 (ON AMAZON)
Sutton, G. W. (2021, May 5). Psychological perspectives on reports of God ordained violence. https://geoffwsutton.blogspot.com/2021/05/psychological-perspectives-on-reports.html
Sutton, G. W. (2021, May 4). Why did God order the killing of so many people? https://geoffwsutton.blogspot.com/2021/05/why-did-god-order-killing-of-so-many.html
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com
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Dr. Sutton’s posts are for educational purposes only. See a licensed mental health provider for diagnoses, treatment, and consultation.
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