The Misunderstood Teaching of Jesus on Nonviolence
As part of the “What Did Jesus Teach?” series, we explore one of the most debated topics in Christian ethics: Jesus’ teaching on nonviolence. In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus instructs his followers to “turn the other cheek” and not resist evil. But does this mean that Christians are called to be pacifists?
Context Matters
To understand Jesus’ teaching, we need to consider the context in which it was given. Jesus is not contradicting the Old Testament law, but rather affirming its ethical requirements. He is challenging his listeners to reconsider their attitudes towards personal injustice and insult. The mention of the right cheek being struck suggests that Jesus is addressing personal injury, not public assault.
Private Domain vs. Public Policy
Jesus’ illustrations of nonretaliation – turning the other cheek, offering the shirt off your back, carrying someone’s baggage, and lending to those in need – all correspond to the private domain. These are issues of personal inconvenience or abuse, not matters of public policy. Jesus’ injunction not to resist evil must be understood in the context of personal discipleship, not state policy.
C.S. Lewis’ Insight
In his essay “Why I Am Not a Pacifist,” C.S. Lewis argues that Jesus’ teaching cannot be intended to rule out protecting others. Lewis asks, “Does anyone suppose that our Lord’s hearers understood him to mean that if a homicidal maniac, attempting to murder a third party, tried to knock me out of the way, I must stand aside and let him get his victim?” Lewis’ plain reading of the text highlights the importance of understanding Jesus’ teaching in its original context.
Just-War Reasoning
Jesus’ audience consisted of private individuals in a disarmed nation, not soldiers or politicians. His teaching on nonviolence is not a call to absolute pacifism, but rather a challenge to consider the proper response to personal injustice. The apostle Paul states that the magistrate exists to protect the community and punish wrongdoers (Romans 13:3-4). This passage demonstrates the viability of just-war reasoning in responding to contemporary geopolitical challenges.
Conclusion
Jesus’ teaching on nonviolence is often misunderstood as a call to absolute pacifism. However, when considered in its original context, it becomes clear that Jesus is challenging his followers to reconsider their attitudes towards personal injustice and insult. As Christians, we are called to resist evil when possible, while also recognizing the importance of protecting others and upholding justice in the public sphere.
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