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God's View on Violence and Pacifism in Scripture

The biblical perspective on violence and pacifism is complex, presenting instances where God expresses hatred for violence while also sanctioning or engaging in warfare. A foundational principle is that God's "soul hates the lover of violence" [3]. The Lord God commands, "remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice" [4]. This indicates a divine preference for peace and justice over violent acts.

God is frequently described as the "God of peace" [14], and peace itself is a divine gift and a characteristic of God's kingdom [7, 10]. Divine peace, or shalom, encompasses not merely the absence of conflict but also complete well-being, health, and wholeness [10]. The prophet Isaiah foresees a future where the Kingdom of God is characterized by the cessation of conflict and violence, with nations transforming instruments of war into agricultural tools, symbolizing an era of peace and cooperation [12]. This vision suggests that God's ultimate desire is for a world free from war, where disputes are settled through divine arbitration rather than armed conflict [12].

However, Scripture also acknowledges that there is "a time for war, and a time for peace" [5]. Augustine of Hippo, a prominent patristic theologian, addressed the concept of "righteous war," arguing that war undertaken "in obedience to God" to humble human pride can be considered righteous [13]. He distinguished between human acts of violence driven by infamy and those that, while resembling violence, are not sins because they do not offend God [9]. Augustine also noted that even wars arising from human passion cannot harm God's eternal well-being or His saints, as such trials can benefit believers through the chastening of their spirit [13].

The Old Testament contains numerous accounts of God commanding or participating in warfare, particularly in the context of Israel's establishment and defense. Yet, even in these contexts, God is described as "slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" [2]. The anger of God, though righteous, is often averted by confession and repentance [8].

John Calvin interpreted prophetic passages about the cessation of war metaphorically, suggesting they refer to the spiritual kingdom of Christ, which leads people to reconciliation through mutual kindness [11]. He noted that while the Scriptures speak of a future where swords cease to exist, Christ also spoke of a "time of war" being at hand, indicating that the spiritual reality of peace does not always translate immediately into the physical absence of conflict [11].

The concept of God's judgment is also relevant. The Lord "will judge his people, and be pacified towardes his seruants" [1]. This judgment can involve the manifestation of God's anger through terrors and judgments, which are understood as righteous [8]. However, the ultimate goal of God's actions, even in judgment, is often seen as leading to peace and reconciliation. The "fear of God" is described as a "hatred of evil" and a "fountain of life," leading to sanctification [6].

Sources

  1. Psalms “Psalms 135:14 (Geneva1599) — For the Lord will iudge his people, and be pacified towardes his seruants.”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 103:8 (NASB) — The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 11:5 (BSB) — The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.”
  4. King James Version “[KJV] Ezekiel 45:9 — Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.”
  5. Ecclesiastes “a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. -- Ecclesiastes 3:8”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Peace — God is the author of -- Ps 147:14; Isa 45:7; 1Co 14:33. Results from Heavenly wisdom. -- Jas 3:17. The government of Christ. -- Isa 2:4. Praying for rulers. -- 1Ti 2:2. Seeking the peace of those with whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Necessary to the enjoyment of life -- Ps 34:12,14; 1Pe 3:10,11. God bestows upon those who Obey him. -- Le 26:6. Please him. -- Ps 16:7. Endure his chastisements. -- Job 5:17,23,24. Is a bond of union -- Eph 4:3. The fruit of righteousness should be sown in -- Jas 3:18. The church shall enjoy -- Ps 125:5; 128:6; Isa 2:4; Ho 2:18. Sain”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Anger of God, The — Averted by Christ -- Lu 2:11,14; Ro 5:9; 2Co 5:18,19; Eph 2:14,17; Col 1:20; 1Th 1:10. Is averted from them that believe -- Joh 3:14-18; Ro 3:25; 5:1. Is averted upon confession of sin and repentance -- Job 33:27,28; Ps 106:43-45; Jer 3:12,13; 18:7,8; 31:18-20; Joe 2:12-14; Lu 15:18-20. Is slow -- Ps 103:8; Isa 48:9; Jon 4:2; Na 1:3. Is righteous -- Ps 58:10,11; La 1:18; Ro 2:6,8; 3:5,6; Re 16:6,7. The justice of, not to be questioned -- Ro 9:18,20,22. Manifested in terrors -- Ex 14:24; Ps 76:6-8; Jer 10:10; La 2:20-22. Manifested in judgments and”
  9. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 1: Augustine — Confessions, Letters — CHAP. IX. -- THAT THE JUDGMENT OF GOD AND MEN AS TO HUMAN ACTS OF VIOLENCE, IS DIFFERENT.: 17. But amidst these offences of infamy and violence, and so many iniquities, are the sins of men who are, on the whole, making progress; which, by those who judge rightly, and after the rule of perfection, are censured, yet commended withal, upon the hope of bearing fruit, like as in the green blade of the growing corn. And there are some which resemble offences of infamy or violence, and yet are not sins, because they neither offend Thee, our Lord God, no”
  10. Numbers (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Numbers 6:26: 6:26 God’s favor—the display of his face, or countenance—refers to his approval and special attention (cp. Ps 30:7). Divine peace (Hebrew shalom) is not just the absence of conflict or violence; God’s peace brings complete well-being, health, and wholeness.”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 1, section 8.16: sword.” But it is easy to reply to this; for the Prophet speaks metaphorically about the kingdom of Christ, which leads men, through mutual kindness, to become reconciled to each other. The Scriptures frequently employ a metaphor, in which the thing signified is denoted by a sign; as in that passage, He who hath not a sword, let him buy one. ( Luke 22:36 .) Christ certainly did not intend to induce his followers to fight, but intimated that the time of war was at hand. 0n the other hand, we are told that swords shall cease to exist, or shall ”
  12. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 2:4: 2:4 The Kingdom of God is evident when conflict and violence end, and it is characterized by peace (Rom 14:17). People will cooperate willingly or they will be forced to end their hostilities (Ps 46:9). The nations will submit to divine arbitration rather than go to war (see Isa 1:18-20). • The words mediate and settle refer to God’s acts here, but later verses show the Messiah as the executor of justice (11:3-4). When this takes place, war will cease, and the nations will change their instruments of war into agricultural tools. • swords into plowshares: Cp. Joel 3”
  13. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 4: Augustine — Anti-Manichaean, Anti-Donatist — BOOK XXII. (part 67): perform their military duties in behalf of the peace and safety of the community. When war is undertaken in obedience to God, who would rebuke, or humble, or crush the pride of man, it must be allowed to be a righteous war; for even the wars which arise from human passion cannot harm the eternal well-being of God, nor even hurt His saints; for in the trial of their patience, and the chastening of their spirit, and in bearing fatherly correction, they are rather benefited than injured. No one can have any power agai”
  14. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:20: Now the God of peace,.... This is the concluding part of the epistle, which is ended with a prayer, made up of very suitable petitions for the Hebrews; and as the apostle desires them to pray for him and other ministers, he, in turn, and by way of example, prays for them: and he addresses God, as "the God of peace"; who is so called, because of his concern in the peace and reconciliation of his people; because he is the giver of conscience peace to them; because he is the author of all felicity and prosperity, temporal and spiritual; the promoter of peace and concor”
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