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As a pastor, should I avoid talking about my beliefs on war with members of the congregation? I don't necessarily think that I would preach it from the pulpit, but should I avoid my political beliefs in small group situations or in one-on-one conversations? I'm a budding pacifist, but am ministering in a very white, middle class, republican type church. Any advice?

Yes, your position is untenable and you should rethink it.

Regards.

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Did you mean my position as a pacifist or as a minister in a white, middle-class, Republican congregation?

It can be quite difficult when a pastor knows they hold differing beliefs from those in their congregation, but one must recognize that this is (in my estimation) a question of adiaphora or that which is not essential for all to hold to, but which we may each differ on. I myself hold to a form of pacifism that recognizes (1) the necessity of nations to maintain military and police forces in a fallen world, (2) the responsibility of Christ's command to love one another which might call for action on behalf of others which might seem contradictory to itself at times, (3) that every follower of Christ must answer with responsibility what they've been called to do (and we must all do it faithfully as to the Lord) and this will entail for many serving in the military and police as well as conscientiously not serving for others with neither accusing the other because we will all give an account before God. How's that for convoluted?

I speak freely with some in private when they bring it up, but with others (whom I don't believe are mature enough to discuss such matters) I don't even discuss it. It really requires discernment. As far as preaching, I would say that you would do well not to preach on such matters, but you are the one who must answer to the Lord for what you preach and teach. If you would teach anything concerning the responsibility of God's people in matters of war, private conflicts, etc., then you would do well to be very careful in your preparation that you are actually speaking what God has spoken and not simply speaking something that seems reasonable. I think just teaching your folks to live responsibly towards the Word of the Lord should be central to everything rather than trying to tell them what that obedience must look like...teach them to listen and to obey. From one pastor to another.
Blessings,
Rick

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I have to admit that my own view is at least as convoluted as yours. It's also still in process. I just keep praying that God will give me wisdom as I study his scripture and that his Spirit will guide me! It's such a sticky subject, and its hard for a group of Christian men to gather and not wander into a discussion of politics etc.

Would you say that pacifism is the ideal, but not practical solution? It seems that many people who object to pacifism simply find it too impractical, that there is no way to implement it in the real world. I see that you choose simply to juggle a mix of pacifism and necessity, and keep it all in the air, which I think makes pacifism a little easier to apply.

I also think a lot of Christians stay away from pacifism because of its connections to non-christian leaders like Gandhi, other religions like Jainism, and political movements like the sit-ins of the American civil rights movement. I also think that it is a difficult position that asks for a lot of commitment (not unlike the Christian faith in that sense), and announcing your belief in it tends to marginalize you. It's not a position associated with the mainstream of American or Christian thought (at least not in the circles I move through).

I find that following the commands of Christ are not as simple as following a checklist that is implemented like a law, but is obeyed in an altogether different manner as the obedience offered to the living Christ and His living word. We cannot simply say "do not kill" and that answers all things as if to say that to put anyone to death is somehow covered by that (which has never been the case though some have tried to make it such). We cannot make the "love of neighbor" and "turn the other cheek" the rule of nations since this is not the command to nations, but to individuals following Christ while the responsibility of nations and rulers is to "bear the sword" (Rom. 13:4). The nation and the rulers must care for those they are responsible for and give an account for them by governing with justice and righteousness. In what sense can one "love" their "neighbor" if they in fact allow their neighbor to be destroyed by another nation or to be destroyed by their own nation? Does this not call for some action even if it might mean some violent action that might involve guilt of taking life? I believe too often those who try to opt for a form of pacifism are trying to opt for a guilt-free position, but that can too easily deny the responsibility to care for widows and orphans, to protect those who cannot protect themselves, to make decisions which are difficult and may be a lesser of evils in the face of great wickedness carried out against our fellow brothers and sisters. In what sense must we "turn the other cheek" while a brother or sister is abused or murdered? Do we refuse to act? Do we refuse to take action? Will we only use words and not physically restrain wicked people from carrying out wicked acts?

It is rather interesting to me how culturally things have shifted. Early in the 20th century many Americans were pacifists of one sort or another but as World War II began the nation shifted as did many in the churches (evangelical and mainline). My own fellowship included. Originally the majority of Pentecostals, historically, were pacifists of one sort or another until some time during or after WWII when they faced arrests as conscientious objectors and were accused of not being truly American because they refused to take up arms. At that time the ethos shifted across the board and has essentially remained that way (at least among Evangelical churches; while mainline churches have tended towards allowing and even embracing forms of pacifism for their own various reasons).

I'm not sure if you've read any of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's works, but I might recommend several: Discipleship and Ethics. The first was an early work of his that lays out a radical obedience to the Sermon on the Mount which you may find insightful (if you haven't already read it); the latter was the last of his books (which was not quite finished before his execution at the hands of the Nazis) and details his understanding of living responsibly in the world before Christ.

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Thank you for the book recommendation. I do need to sort through some of Bonhoeffer's works. I think it all pretty much boils down to the fact that this world is lost in sin and in need of the Savior! Once everyone figures that out and accepts it we can all become pacifist together.

Antipater -- good things to ponder in your last post

as for me, i didn't see Jesus as a pacifist in His 1st Coming & no 1 would claim Him a pacifist in His 2nd...

as individuals, we must follow our own path as Led by the Spirit

I agree that Jesus will not be considered a pacifist in his second coming, and nor will we be pacifist then. But in that I don't see a need for me not to be a pacifist now. If Jesus came back today and asked me to join him in eliminating evil from this world in a bloody battle, then yes, I would join him without hesitation. But I'm absolutely not going to join a nation led by sinners in killing men, women, and children for any reason (collateral damage included). If Jesus was at the head of the army I would follow. But not for President Obama, Bush, Clinton, or another. Right now I simply can't justify it. What right do I have to decide who should live and who should die? What right do I have to pronounce such a judgment? Is my basis simply because they have a different political system, religious beliefs, geographic location, or ethnic heritage?

Or is it because one is actually acting in the defense of others who cannot properly defend themselves ReyRon? You suggest only the notion of the nation as aggressor, but what of defender?

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I'm honestly just not prepared to kill anyone. It sounds absurd, but I think I would rather die than kill another human being. I know that opens up such a huge can of worms, but I am just not prepared to kill someone. What matters if I die at the hands of others? To live is Christ, to die is gain. Isn't that the proper perspective?

But the question of the military is not really about you willingly dying at the hands of others...its about defending the lives of others through force if necessary. The idea is that this should be done justly. Part of the reason I believe followers of Christ can and must be in the armed forces is because if they are not then we are that much more assured of decisions being made that have no direction from the Lord. At least of the godly will take responsibility for such things they will not take it lightly and will (Lord willing) do so knowing they will give an account for it and so try to make their decisions in righteousness. I do understand that this is a personal matter where each of us must give account. Some will give accounting for violence against others in the line of military action while others will give account for violence that they turned blind eyes to. It is not a straightforward issue in my mind.

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Everyone is equal at the foot of the cross...just some are more equal than others.
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Twitter: @RickWadholmJr

I definitely agree. It's not something that I think I have to have a solid, black and white stance on. I am pretty much resigned to the fact that this is something that I will continue to juggle and struggle with.

this is acceptable -- but 1 need not always kill in order to stop evil, right?

you may be willing & able to turn the other cheek for yourself but what of (assuming you have these) defense against those who would harm your wife, children, parents -- if you see a person stealing from a quadripalegic & running your way do you simply look the other way or do something?

on a sillier note, how are you when driving & someone cuts you off? -- what is your response? -- i ask cause i've known some pacifists who were anything but when driving