This is a question that has been debated for centuries, and there is no easy answer. In the Bible, Jesus says to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. However, there are also stories of Jesus being pretty darn aggressive when it came to confronting the hyprocritical Pharisees. So what gives? The answer may lie in understanding the difference between personal enemies and institutional enemies. When it comes to personal enemies, Christians are called to love them and pray for them. However, when it comes to institutional enemies, such as those who seek to harm the Church, Christians are allowed to be aggressive in order to protect their faith. In this blog post, we will explore this question in more depth and try to come to a conclusion about whether or not Christians can be aggressive against enemies at the Church.
What does the Bible say about Christians and aggression?
The Bible has a lot to say about Christians and aggression. In the Old Testament, God commands his people to be aggressive against their enemies. In the New Testament, Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them.
So, what does the Bible say about Christians and aggression? Should Christians be aggressive against their enemies or should they turn the other cheek?
The answer is found in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to be aggressive against their enemies. He told them to take up arms and fight against those who oppressed them. God also promised to bless those who were obedient to his commands and curse those who disobeyed him.
In the New Testament, Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. He said that if someone strikes you on the cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not refuse them your tunic as well.Jesus taught that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
So, what does the Bible say about Christians and aggression? The Bible teaches that Christians are to be aggressive against their enemies in the Old Testament and to love their enemies in the New Testament.
Can Christians be aggressive in their defense of the faith?
When it comes to aggression, Christians are often conflicted. On the one hand, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. On the other hand, Paul tells us to be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is within us. So which is it? Can Christians be aggressive in their defense of the faith or not?
The answer, of course, is both. We are called to love our enemies and pray for them, but we are also called to defend the faith when it is attacked. We cannot sit idly by while others try to undermine our beliefs.
There will be times when we need to be gentle and loving in our approach, and there will be times when we need to be more forceful. It all depends on the situation. But one thing is for sure: Christians cannot remain silent in the face of hostility or attack. We must always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us.
What are some examples of Christians being aggressive against enemies?
Some Christians believe that it is their duty to be aggressive against enemies of the church, while others believe that they should turn the other cheek. Here are some examples of Christians being aggressive against enemies:
-In 1095, Pope Urban II called for the First Crusade, which was a series of military campaigns launched by Christian Europeans against Muslim Turks in an effort to regain control of the Holy Land.
-In 1517, Martin Luther sparked the Protestant Reformation with his 95 Theses, which critiqued the Catholic Church and led to the formation of new Protestant denominations.
-During the English Civil War in the 1600s, Oliver Cromwell led an army of Puritans against King Charles I and the Catholic Church.
Are there times when it is appropriate for Christians to turn the other cheek?
There are many passages in the Bible that speak to Christians being persecuted for their faith. In Matthew 5:10-12, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
In these verses, Jesus is teaching his followers that they will be blessed when they are persecuted because of their righteousness. He goes on to say that they should rejoice and be glad when this happens, because their reward will be great in heaven. This shows that Jesus himself was persecuted and understands what it feels like to be mistreated because of one’s beliefs.
The book of Acts also records multiple instances of Christians being persecuted for their faith (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2; 14:19-20; 16:22-24). In each case, the believers responded with courage and boldness, preaching the gospel even in the face of danger. They did not back down or deny their faith, even when it meant suffering.
So there are certainly times when it is appropriate for Christians to turn the other cheek, even in the face of persecution. We see from Scripture that this is how Jesus responded to those who mistreated him
Conclusion
The Bible is clear that Christians are to be peaceful people. However, there are times when we are called to defend ourselves and our faith. When it comes to aggressive behavior against enemies at church, we must use discernment. We should always pray for guidance and wisdom in these situations.
