Abstract
This article deals with the incongruency and enigma of violence on the part of Yahweh, in order to locate action or inaction against violence on a human level. The debate whether people should be actively involved in serving their countries in the military, if political leaders can wage war and take up arms against a corrupt, grossly oppressive and unjust regime, and if people should vote for and endorse parties with such policies, is contested. Furthermore, questions such as whether people can fight back when they are attacked on the street, whether they can own firearms and use them in self-defence when their families are under siege, and if they can physically harm a person who is in the process of sexually abusing their spouse, are indeed pertinent yet difficult questions to answer, especially in light of verses that say ‘Blessed are the meek… blessed are the merciful… blessed are the peacemakers… blessed are those who are persecuted…’ (Mt 5:3–10). The questions are foregrounded on the notion that appropriates the Christian use of violence to correct a wrong. For the purpose of this study, a historical and literary analysis was employed.Contribution: This article contributes to the theological discourse within the Old Testament, ethical studies, New Testament studies as well as practical theology as it explores the intersections between the theological theme of violence by means of historical-critical and inter-textual reading methods.
Highlights
Contribution: This article contributes to the theological discourse within the Old Testament, ethical studies, New Testament studies as well as practical theology as it explores the intersections between the theological theme of violence by means of historical-critical and inter-textual reading methods
In pursuit of knowing whether Christians should renounce violence or not, the title of this article presupposes that Christians ought to live in conformity to the prescription of the Bible
1.This article is the dissemination of a PhD entitled ‘Disempowerment of and Violence against Women: Old Testament Perspectives,’ under the supervision of Prof
Summary
Contribution: This article contributes to the theological discourse within the Old Testament, ethical studies, New Testament studies as well as practical theology as it explores the intersections between the theological theme of violence by means of historical-critical and inter-textual reading methods. The UN definition and the biblical definition intersect Both of these definitions will be used to determine whether violence is justified in any way from both a deity and human level. The solution this article will advance is: Christians should renounce violence and look forward to their vindication in the Second Coming (Huber 2011:5). This will be achieved by surveying the discussion of the historical-literary sources in order to highlight the incongruency and enigma against violence that may be advantageous or disadvantageous for those who follow Yahweh (Pietersen 2021:35–36)
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