Is Christianity primarily a religion of peace or of violence?

Question

Discussion question help!

Answer 1

To answer this question, it helps to understand Christianity and the Bible. If this is an assignment which requires an essay answer, then you need to develop your topic the way you would any other, with an introductory paragraph, a topic sentence, thesis statement, body, and conclusion.

 

As a Christian, I would argue that Christianity is a religion of peace. Moreover, I would argue that Christianity in its truest form is not a religion at all, but a relationship with Christ. Jesus Christ came into this world as God incarnate, the only begotten son of God, the Father, to save the world from its sins. Fully God and fully man, He took the sins of the world upon Himself as payment for the sins of all mankind. He was the final and perfect sacrifice. He solved the problem of sin and made a way for all who put their faith in Him to spend eternity in heaven rather than hell.

 

It says in the Bible that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and that none is without sin (Romans 3:23). In order to settle this debt once and for all, so that mankind who had been disobedient to God in the Garden of Eden could choose to live with God eternally in heaven rather than eternally in hell with Satan. There is no greater love than a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)

 

In the New Testament of the Holy Bible, Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and the second greatest is to love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:36-40)

 

Do not confuse Christianity with the way some so-called Christians act. Jesus said to follow Him (Matthew 4:19). When non-believers refer to the wars committed in the name of Christianity, they are usually referring to the Crusades and Spanish Inquisition, both of which involved the Roman Catholic Church. Many would argue that Roman Catholicism is not the same as Biblical Christianity. You will have to study your history to gain more knowledge about these wars and Christianity under the Roman Emperor, Constantine.

Answer 2

A religion of violence.  Many wars have been fought over Christianity.  Quite a bit of the bible is filled with violence. The answer depends on whether this is a history class or a religion class.  A class in religion would probably say it is a religion of peace while a social studies teacher would say it is a religion of violence.