Non Violence is Not Necessarily Pacifism
I am struck at times by the difference culture makes to our understanding of violence. Non violence is not necessarily pacifism nor has it always has that association.
Stand Tall: Respect and Affect Click Here For More Information |
David {who was to become the king of Israel} went out to them and said to them: “If you have come to me in peace to help me, I am ready for you to join me. But if you have come to betray me to my enemies when my hands are free from violence, may the God of our ancestors see it and judge you.”(1 Chronicles 12:17)
"Wait a minute I thought, wasn't David a man of violence?"
Yet here he is declaring "my hands are free from violence".
So how does that work?
- He Killed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:50)
- He killed three hundred and sixty Benjamites (2 Samuel 2:31)
- He went out and killed two hundred Philistines (1 Samuel 18:27)
- David gave an order to his men, to killed and was sometimes brutal to his enemies (2 Samuel 4:12)
“a skillful soldier is not violent, an able fighter does not rage, a mighty conqueror does not give battle, a great commander is a humble man”
No comments:
Post a Comment