Serving & Influencing, Without Fighting or Voting - Merle Burkholder

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The views expressed by our guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Anabaptist Perspectives or Wellspring Mennonite Church.

[@Timothy_67]

Matthew 5:41 seems to imply from Christ the law of the Roman soldier toward occupied peoples the right to bear their burden according to Roman law. Jesus said if he compels you to go the distance of the law, to go further. How does such a dynamic work then in the course of human governments today compeling a Christian to at the least bear the burden of a non-combative role. OF course the command of non-violence and no murder can impact combative roles, but what about the law compelling one to take up a role to care for wounded or even (as seemed evident in Jesus day) be the carrier of materials?

[@AnabaptistPerspectives]

This is a legitimate question.

[@studiodemichel]

I appreciate your standing on nonviolence, however what do you do, on a micro level, when there is a man threatening to do violence to your family? Do you turn the other cheek and thus allow him to harm your wife and children under your protection? On a macro level, then, does a good government allow another government to harm it's citizens? Does God approve of the man who allows his wife and children to be harmed by the other's violence, by turning the other cheek? The nonviolent position must have some exemptions in order to be just and loving, correct?

[@matthewgeorge234]

Jesus's instructions are not to governments, because His Kingdom is not of this world. God approves of His children acting according to his precepts. Was not Jesus holy and perfect, yet not to be defended with violence when met with violence? How then can we allow violence as a means of protecting one's family? God is sovereign, whether that is in His plan for mankind's redemption or in the small everyday lives of His children. If Jesus meant for there to be an exception, He would have said as much.

[@studiodemichel]

@@matthewgeorge234 well, if someone is attacking my wife or kids, I will lay down my life for them, protecting them. I'll ask for forgiveness if this was against God's will for me in that moment. Otherwise, I will always side with nonviolence. And, I appreciate your standing. Thanks!