Jesus practiced love of enemy to his own death, and the New Testament presents this teaching as an unqualified commandment to be obeyed by his followers (Matthew 5.39; 44). This is in stark contrast to Jesus’ own Jewish Law and tradition regarding “holy war” (Deuteronomy 20) and lethal self-defense (Exodus 22.2).

This site will also explore how Pacifism and Nonresistance movements, mainly of the last century, have misrepresented the New Testament’s prohibition on the use of lethal violence for Christians.