The 'Love Your Enemies' FAQ
OK, I admit it. Some of these questions are not frequently asked
by anyone, except me. But I think it's the best way to explain
the reasons behind this web site...
Why a 'Love Your Enemies' website?
But didn't Jesus say 'Love Your Neighbour'?
What do you mean by 'Love'?
Isn't Evangelism More Important?
Why is Social Justice Important?
Why do you take a pacifist stand?
Why a 'Love Your Enemies' website?
Because I believe that 'Love Your Enemies' is the most neglected
of the commands Jesus of Christ. Yet it is also one of the most
important, and the foundation for much of the rest of true
Christian living.
Specifically, I am distressed and saddened that too many Christians
follow the way of the world, which might be summarised,
'Love your friends but hate your enemies'.
In places of ethnic and religious conflict often
(but happily not always) Christians automatically take sides
with their social or religious group, and join in battles
with other people.
In places where there is no direct fighting (such as most of
the Western world), it seems normal to treat the rest of the
world as second class citizens; and to accept that it is
normal for much of the world to live in continuous poverty
and violence. This web site exists to call Christians to not
accept this.
But didn't Jesus say 'Love Your Neighbour'?
'Love Your Neighbour' was an existing Jewish teaching, and is found
in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18). Jesus taught that this
command applied not only to our literal neighbours, but to all
people, including our enemies.
For more detail, see the article,
But didn't Jesus say 'Love Your Neighbour'?
So to Jesus, 'Love Your Neighbour' meant 'Love Your Enemies'.
I prefer to focus on 'Love Your Enemies', because it is more
unexpected and stark, and reminds us to love even when it seems
to be undeserved.
What do you mean by 'Love'?
'Love' is a distorted word these days. To many people, 'Love'
refers to erotic or romantic love between two people.
That is not the meaning of Biblical love.
In the Bible, love refers to a compassionate, selfless caring
for other people. It is a love which manifests itself in
actions, not merely feelings of attraction.
This is the type of love which God shows to people,
and which Christians are called to show to all people.
Isn't Evangelism More Important?
Many Christians will quote Matthew 28:16-20 - the classic passage
which tells Jesus' followers to 'make disciples' - as if it somehow
negates the many commands to love people.
Christians are to practice both love and evangelism.
They are not mutually exclusive.
Why is Social Justice Important?
Many Christians seem to believe that so-called social justice
issues - such as addressing the problems of poverty and war in
the world - are not part of Christian discipleship. Or at any rate,
they are not an integral part of Christian discipleship.
I have to disagree. Social justice is just one of many ways of practising
love to those in need. There is nothing threatening or anti-Christian
about it. It is simply a way of practising 'Love your Neighbour'
(and enemies).
Why do you take a pacifist stand?
Most simply, because I believe it is Biblical.
For more detail, see the article,
Is War Ever Justified?
But another reason is that the church has largely missed this
element of the gospel, and needs to be alerted to it.
Over the past generation or so, evangelical Christians have
largely rediscovered the importance of social justice as an
part of Christian living.
Now we need to make the next step, and realise that peacemaking
is also part of social justice, and we need to be part of it.
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