Peter Walpot

Prince of Peace, Gospel of Peace: a Study on Christians and Violence Peter Walpot

Publisher Marketing: "[Christ came] to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." LUKE 1:79 Many Christians today consider a certain measure ofviolence to be acceptable, whether it is from a "just war," capital punishment, or defense of family. All of these have in themselves a plain logic that seems natural and intuitive. Yet, when read without bias, we find the teachings of Christ and the apostles condemn nearly everything "natural and intuitive" as fleshly and worldly, finding its origin in our most base nature, which must be overcome. Paul plainly states that the things of the Spirit are not naturally known and are considered foolish to the natural man (1 Cor. 2:14). The importance of right understanding of this subject cannot be understated. While in the present day, many critics and skeptics defame Christianity based upon a violent history and suppression of peoples and ideas, the teachings and actions of Christ and His apostles, as well as the practice of the entire congregation of believers for the first 300 years show a very different way. In fact, the unanimous, universal teaching and practice of the Christian church for the first 300 years was a non-violent one. May studying the words of this book help restore the mind of Christ to the church, that we may truly belight contrasted upon darkness.