pacifism in churches of christ in western canada during world
pacifism in churches of christ in western canada during world
pacifism in churches of christ in western canada during world
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214 RESTORATION QUARTERLY<br />
20<br />
govern <strong>in</strong> his k<strong>in</strong>gdom.” Lipscomb believed that these pr<strong>in</strong>ciples were essential<br />
to Christian liv<strong>in</strong>g and must “pervade and control the hearts and lives <strong>of</strong> men,<br />
21<br />
without which no man can be a Christian.” He believed that “Christ specially<br />
gave this sermon to regulate the hearts and lives <strong>of</strong> his followers. He gave it at the<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> his m<strong>in</strong>istry that all might understand the life, to which they were<br />
22<br />
specifically called.” Christians are citizens <strong>of</strong> heaven who are called to walk as<br />
Jesus did, which means promot<strong>in</strong>g love, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g love <strong>of</strong> one’s enemies. 23<br />
Lipscomb was the primary spokesperson for the pacifistic vision <strong>of</strong> Nashville<br />
24<br />
Bible School. He argued, “Jesus would not permit his servants to take the sword<br />
to defend him, to establish his rule on earth, or to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> his k<strong>in</strong>gdom and fight<br />
25<br />
aga<strong>in</strong>st God’s enemies.” Christians should not fight and kill one another <strong>in</strong> the<br />
name <strong>of</strong> war for the establishment <strong>of</strong> earthly k<strong>in</strong>gdoms. Not only should Christians<br />
refra<strong>in</strong> from participation <strong>in</strong> war, Lipscomb went so far as to argue that<br />
vot<strong>in</strong>g to elect a government that might support war was equally contrary to<br />
26<br />
Jesus’ wishes. He posed the question, “Does anyone believe that if Jesus were<br />
here that he would make war speeches and encourage the spirit <strong>of</strong> war?” He<br />
concludes that “true followers” <strong>of</strong> Jesus must not participate <strong>in</strong> human conflict<br />
and strife. “The evil beg<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the political strifes and conflicts <strong>of</strong><br />
human governments, dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to a spirit that is <strong>of</strong> man and not <strong>of</strong> God. Unless<br />
we have the spirit <strong>of</strong> Christ, we are none <strong>of</strong> his.” 27<br />
28<br />
Hard<strong>in</strong>g, the “epitome <strong>of</strong> the apocalyptic tradition,” shared Lipscomb’s<br />
view that human government is an agency <strong>of</strong> Satan, and as such, that Christians<br />
29<br />
should not be <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> the affairs <strong>of</strong> human government. He extended that<br />
to <strong>in</strong>clude “any <strong>in</strong>stitution or k<strong>in</strong>gdom reflect<strong>in</strong>g human contrivance,” <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g<br />
30<br />
missionary societies and a govern<strong>in</strong>g board for Nashville Bible School. Hard<strong>in</strong>g<br />
placed his trust <strong>in</strong> the providence <strong>of</strong> God, not human <strong>in</strong>stitutions. 31<br />
20 Ibid., 57.<br />
21 Ibid., 133.<br />
22 Ibid., 135.<br />
23 David Lipscomb, “War—Its Spirit,” Gospel Advocate 40 (28 April 1898): 269.<br />
24 Michael Casey, “Pacifism and David Lipscomb,” The Gospel Advocate 135, no.<br />
12 (Dec. 1993): 46; Johnnie Andrew Coll<strong>in</strong>s, “Pacifism <strong>in</strong> the Churches <strong>of</strong> Christ:<br />
1866–1945,” (D.A. dissertation, Middle Tennessee State University, 1984), 68.<br />
25 David Lipscomb, “The Monroe Doctr<strong>in</strong>e,” Gospel Advocate 38, no. 3 (16 Jan.<br />
1896): 37; Lipscomb, Civil Government, iv.<br />
26 Lipscomb, “War—Its Spirit,” 269; Lipscomb, Civil Government, iv.<br />
27 Lipscomb, “War—Its Spirit,” 269.<br />
28 Hughes, Reviv<strong>in</strong>g the Ancient Faith, 138.<br />
29 James A. Hard<strong>in</strong>g, “The K<strong>in</strong>gdom <strong>of</strong> Christ Vs. The K<strong>in</strong>gdom <strong>of</strong> Satan,” The Way<br />
5, no. 26 (15 Oct. 1903), 931. Available at www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/jhard<strong>in</strong>g/K<br />
CVKS.HTM.<br />
30 Hughes, Reviv<strong>in</strong>g the Ancient Faith, 137–38.<br />
31 Ibid.