Admittedly, the comment section is going to run ahead of me. That’s natural. When you arrive at a blog discussing a certain topic, you express your views on that subject, not necessarily limiting yourself to what’s been presented. That’s helpful to me, but I won’t always engage in discussing the various points brought up.

I will remind us that this isn’t a simple topic. It’s not one that you can say: “Here’s the verse that settles it.” For every proof text, there’s an opposing text. Every invented scenario can be met with its equal on the other side. Because of that, I think we need to be extremely charitable toward one another.

One other introductory comment: I see the topic of Christians participating in the wars of this world and the topic of Christians using force in other settings to be related topics, but not necessarily the same topic. When I speak of pacifism, I’m speaking of the first, though I hope to eventually address both.

Is there room for difference of opinion on this matter? Some in their comments have said no. I’m not there. I compared it yesterday to some of Paul’s comments to the Corinthians, and that didn’t seem to sit well with some.

Let me try another example. Let’s take the concept of material goods. Some teach voluntary poverty as the most godly way. Others believe that God blesses his children with riches. Some believe that having more than we can use is sinful; others believe that only through increasing prosperity can we truly bless those around us.

I think there’s room for disagreement on that. I also think that I can point to several attitudes toward riches and material possessions that are sinful. And I can point out sinful, judgmental attitudes among Christians as they talk about other Christians. And I think that study of Scripture can point us to the best way of looking at earthly wealth.

I know, it’s not exactly the same. But I think that I can point to Christ’s way of living, the best and most godly way, yet still love those who can’t live up to that standard or who understand it differently.

Am I wrong?

It’s interesting how angry some people can get when you start exploring pacifistic views. More than most topics, they seem to feel that their own views are being judged.

I was just reading through an exchange I had in an Internet discussion group with one of the popular writer/speakers in our brotherhood. He repeatedly said that he had “little use” for those who hold pacifistic views and that, while loving them, he could not respect them. He emphasized that not only did he not respect their opinion, he didn’t respect them. (Then every time he sees me he tells me how much he appreciates my work; I’m guessing he doesn’t even remember the exchange)

I don’t approach pacifism as a “holier than thou” issue. I’m not going to condemn those who choose to fight. I see it sort of like Paul in 1 Corinthians 7; he could point to what he thought was the best way to serve God, yet concede that not everyone could live it. Many godly men have chosen to fight out of a sense of service to God. I think they were mistaken, but I judge neither their motives nor their salvation. In fact, I don’t have a problem with respecting what they did… though I do have a problem with glorifying those actions.

Somehow, we’ve got to be able to talk about these issues without anger and without judgment. We need to be able to explore what the Bible says, beyond what our emotions say.

What do you think? Where does the emotion, especially the anger come from? Why is this topic so charged with feelings?