Theological Justifications Of Violence In Relation To Jesus.

Theological Justifications of Violence in relation to Jesus Introduction The history of religion has been pervaded by offensive and aggressive wars even before the birth of Jesus Christ as the messiah of Christian eschatology. Yet, Jesus brought another dimension to the faith that was more pacifist as evident in his preaching and examples. Looking at the Gospels and the interpretation of Jesus’ teachings in the letters of Saint Paul to the different churches, there exist numerous references of justified violence in relation to Jesus and the expansion of the church on earth. This evidence represents a paradox, since it presents a messiah who is predominantly pacifist but condones or incites violence in some cases. The problem is therefore†¦show more content†¦Some theological justifications of violence in relation to Jesus The contradictions that put into question this message of peace and nonviolence are numerical both in the words and deeds of Jesus. In Matthew chapter ten, he expounds â€Å"do not think that I have come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-laws; a man’s worst enemies will be the members of his own family† . Metaphorical or literal, this is advocacy for violence. By insisting that he is not a harbinger of peace but one of hostility, as represented by the sword, it goes without saying that performing acts of violence as a means to getting the desired effect is appealing. The fact that these violent occurrence will start from within the nuclear family is equally abhorrent. This assertion nevertheless supports the view that Christian religion is based on the premise of bloodshed and violence which Jesus Christ himself condones. The upheaval of families perceived in this message is directly oppositional to the message of love that Jesus himself articulates. In consideration of the message that preaches the love of the enemy and non retaliation in cases of aggression to outrightly insisting that he is bringing a message of discord, one is bound to question the agenda of goodwill. This juxtaposition of peace and violence is furtherShow MoreRelatedHistory Of South American Poverty And The Development Of Liberation Theology1451 Words   |  6 Pagesmovements accelerated into demonstrations and militant type activism. The dictatorships responded with a strong military response in reaction to the militants exerting extreme control over all demonstrations, which escalated into widespread acts of violence from both sides. The cries for change among the growing largely impoverished sections of society in South America, a revolutionary atmosphere developed. 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