In this blog I will discuss a seemingly contradiction in the Christian religion. The bible is made up out of the old and the new testament. The old testament is the same as the Jewish Tenach and thus an authoritative scripture in multiple religions. However, the old- and new testament seem to completely contradict on the subject of warfare. This brought about the question whether it is the same or a different God speaking in the different testaments. In the old testament one seems permitted to kill civilians, enforce enslavement and even to perform executions. A verse from Deuteronomy 20 tells us to ‘put the sword to all men’, when in war with your enemies. This obviously is a permission or even an encouragement to go to war and use violence. On the other hand, the new testament supports a pacifistic lifestyle for Christians. The writings of Matthew even tell us to ‘love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’. These verses advise us to stay away from any form of violence or enforcement in our material world.
During the Middle Ages many theologians and philosophers tried to solve this contradiction, ensuring us that it was indeed the same God speaking to us in both testaments. One of these philosophers is Saint Augustine, who is seen as one of the fathers of the church in the Christian religion. He explained that the God we read in the first testament is not condoning violence, but rather outlining the worst instinct of human beings. He is outlining how humans primarily, from their heart, act in war. This should be however, be seen as an invitation for our patience and benevolence. This means that even in first testament God is supporting a life of pacifism instead of a life filled with violence.
Medieval philosophy Lecture 1 