Violence Is Not the Answer

 

The Way of Jesus and the Non-Aggression Principle

The world has a long history of using violence to silence opposition. Whether through governments, movements, or individuals, there has always been the assumption that the quickest way to victory is to overpower your enemies.

But if we follow Jesus, we must ask a different question: Is violence ever the way forward?

For years, I described myself as a libertarian, and one of the ideas that shaped me was the Non-Aggression Principle (NAP). Walter Block, a libertarian thinker, explained it this way:

“Libertarianism asks one and only one question: Under what conditions is the use of violence justified? And it gives one and only one answer: Violence can be used only in response, or in reaction to, a prior violation of private property rights.”

This principle continues to be one of my core principles: the proper use of violence is in defense of life and liberty. I think this principle, rather than complete pacifism, is the most compatible with Jesus’s teaching.

Jesus taught that rather than responding to people and situations that we don’t like with violence, that we respond with love and prayer.

The lessons to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38–44), are not negotiable for followers of Jesus. These lessons are how we live out the Kingdom of God in the world. On the cross, Jesus forgave those who crucified him, breaking the cycle of violence by not fighting back and surrendering in love to his enemies. His resurrection vindicated that way of life.

While I would still consider myself to be a Christian Libertarian, I lean, just like J. R. R. Tolkien, towards Christian Anarchy. 

Christian Anarchy is not chaos or lawlessness—it’s about living under the reign of King Jesus rather than trusting in the coercive power of the State. It’s about recognizing that Christ’s Kingdom does not advance through swords, guns, or political decrees, but through sacrificial love and faithful witness.

In that light, the Non-Aggression Principle is a helpful starting point, but the way of Jesus calls us to go even further. For the libertarian, violence may be justified in self-defense. For the Christian, violence is always suspect, because it puts our trust in force rather than in the cross. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for violence when it comes to protecting people, in fact I would consider it a loving act, but it does mean that our default position is not violence or “fighting fire with fire.” 

Here’s the challenge:

• If we think it’s acceptable to silence people—Nazis, communists, supremacists, or anyone else—through violence, then we are not living in the way of Jesus. 
• If we embrace coercion as a political tool, we are not protecting liberty, we are abandoning the Kingdom ethic.

Violence does not create peace; it only multiplies hostility. Coercion cannot bring freedom; it only tightens chains.

The Kingdom of God offers a better way. It grows not through domination but through service, not through aggression but through self-giving love. This is the radical alternative of Christian Anarchy: refusing to put our hope in the violent power structures of the world and instead trusting the crucified and risen King.

Violence is not the answer. Jesus is.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

The Justice and Comfort of God: The Final Verdict and Future Hope

When Justice Applies to Everyone

In April 2013, a Michigan judge handed down one of the most unusual rulings of his career—against himself. Judge Raymond Voet had a posted policy in his courtroom: if a phone went off during proceedings, its owner would be fined $25.

During a prosecutor’s closing argument, Voet’s own smartphone started talking—loudly—asking for voice commands. Embarrassed, the judge silenced it as quickly as he could. But at the next recess, he fined himself $25. “Judges are human,” he said. “We’re not above the rules.”

That’s what real justice looks like—applied fairly, without favoritism, even to the one in charge.

Nahum 3 shows us the same truth about God. No matter how powerful Nineveh was, no matter how untouchable Assyria thought itself to be, God did not overlook their evil. His justice is perfect, consistent, and unavoidable.

When Evil Runs Its Course

Nahum describes Nineveh as a “city of blood,” built on violence, lies, and plunder. Ancient accounts tell of unspeakable cruelty—captives tortured, treaties betrayed, wealth stolen. Assyria’s power grew through deceit and terror, not justice and peace.

God’s verdict? Enough.

Nineveh would be exposed for what it truly was. Once feared, it would now be shamed. The empire that humiliated others would be humiliated itself.

And God reminds Nineveh of history: Thebes, a mighty Egyptian city Assyria once conquered, had seemed invincible too. But it fell. And so would Nineveh. What they had done to others would now return upon their own heads.

The Collapse of False Power

Nahum uses vivid images: 

Nineveh like ripe figs, falling at the slightest shake.
Its soldiers like locusts, swarming in greed but disappearing when danger comes.
Its leaders like sleeping shepherds, abandoning the flock.

The message is clear: the empire’s wealth, armies, and defenses would not save it. The wound would be fatal. And while Assyria’s victims had once wept in terror, now they would rejoice at its downfall.


Where We Fit In

What do we do with a text this heavy?

First, it reminds us that God deals with His enemies in two ways. In Jonah’s day, Nineveh repented—and God relented. But when repentance faded, judgment came. The same is true for us: we must continually turn our hearts back to God, pledging our allegiance to Jesus, or else we risk sharing Nineveh’s fate.

Second, Nahum points us to Christ. On the cross, Jesus absorbed the violence, humiliation, and exposure that sin produces. The taunts, the filth hurled at Him, the shame of being stripped bare—it’s the fate Nineveh faced, and the fate humanity deserves. But Jesus bore it in our place. He took on our judgment so that we could receive God’s mercy.

Without Him, Nineveh’s fate becomes our fate. With Him, we are delivered.


The Final Verdict and Future Hope

Nahum 3 is more than history—it’s a preview of God’s ultimate justice.

For the oppressed: comfort—God will set things right.
For the oppressor: warning—repent before judgment comes.
For God’s people: hope—the downfall of evil is certain, and the reign of God is forever.

As Laurie Braaten writes, “God’s people are called to live as though God’s justice prevails now, and trust that if not now, then in the final judgement the oppressors will receive their deserved punishment and the people of God will be vindicated.”

We live in that tension. We long for God’s justice now, but we hope in His final verdict. And as we wait, we worship, because in Jesus the victory has already been secured.


A Challenge for the Week

Take time this week to worship God for the hope we have in Christ. Thank Him that His justice is real, His timing is perfect, and His mercy is available now.

When life feels unfair, chaotic, or overwhelming, remember: God’s justice brings down the oppressor and delivers His people. Our future is secure in Jesus.

Violence is not the Answer

I originally wrote this three years ago. Given what is happening in some of the major cities here in the United States, I think it bears reposting.

Ever since the tragedy of Charlottesville there has been something that has bothered me.

My great concern is not the presence of Neo-Nazis, but the acceptance of aggressive violence as the means to silence other people.

Most of you know that I am a libertarian. Contrary to what most people believe, libertarians are not “fiscally conservative and socially liberal”. As far as my personal preferences go I am fiscally conservative and socially conservative, because I believe that is the best way to live.

Libertarianism isn’t about finding a middle ground between Democrats and Republicans, but about the proper use of violence. As the great libertarian thinker Walter Block states:

"Libertarianism is solely a political philosophy. It asks one and only one question: Under what conditions is the use of violence justified? And it gives one and only one answer: Violence can be used only in response, or in reaction to, a prior violation of private property rights." 

In other words violence can only be justifiably used in self-defense. This ethic applies to both the State and individuals.

Not only am I a libertarian, but more importantly, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus taught that his followers are to love and pray for their enemies. He forgave those who crucified him. He overcomes, not through violence, but through self-sacrifice. This is the example I am called to model. 

To follow Jesus means I can’t respond with violence to people I disagree with, even when what they are advocating will harm society in the long run.

For me the idea of non-aggression is not some nice idea, but fundamental to who I am. It is a key part to both my political philosophy and my religious belief. God's kingdom is not enlarged nor is liberty expanded through violent aggression.

Know this: if you advocate punching Nazis or Communists or White Supremacists simply because of their beliefs, you are living in opposition to the way of Jesus and you are an enemy to liberty. 

Violence is not the answer and that is why I am equally opposed to Neo-Nazis and Antifa, who both advocate its use to promote their political philosophy.