The Threat of Christian Pacifism

Must all Christians be pacifists?  Nearly all churches, excepting Anabaptists and Quakers, have traditionally taught that Christians may serve in the military or law enforcement of a legitimate government. But a rising tide of absolutist pacifism at least among U.S. Protestant and Evangelical elites is evangelizing for the Anabaptist message.

The latest voice is distinguished evangelical New Testament scholar Ben Witherington, a frequent television commentator on biblical topics who commendably and thoughtfully has disputed the Jesus Seminar, the Da Vinci Code and other nonsense. Many religious pacifists of late, including prominent Evangelical Left activist Jim Wallis, are vague about their pacifism, speaking against war, while touting more benign "police" actions, as though they were non-violent. Witherington, in a recent exchange, more consistently suggests Christians must avoid serving in both military and police.