The truth of it actually goes back to Jesus Himself. He overruled the use of arms for the church when He said to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world."
He also rebuked His number one man, Peter, from using weapons in defense of the Lord "Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword."
The visible church who took up the sword to defend or promote the faith of Christ were murderers, not believers. They had no real claim on Christ or His teachings, even though they claimed to act in His name. True believers have always died at the hands of the world (which includes the visible church doing their share of the killing), starting with Jesus and going on to New Testament apostles. Never did a New Testament martyr defend himself with weapons or galvanize an armed revolt against their persecutors. No. They blessed and forgave their killers. How unlike the visible churches who slaughtered Jews, Muslims and heretics of their day.
Today, many Christians who are seeking to turn America (or any other country) into a Theocracy are making the same, ancient mistake. They are ignoring the sordid history of the church whenever it managed to become a political power. They would end up creating heretic inquisitions and witch burnings, like the Catholics or Geneva Calvinists or Puritans of early America. They would be no better than today's Muslims. Let them deny that they would never become like that. Sorry, History is against that denial.
Jesus says that His kingdom is not of this world. What part of that statement can't Christians understand? (And, I speak as one.) |
