the inevitability of
war. Apparently he did not feel himself competent to counteract general
mass militarism. He offered no program for arbitration of international
disputes, no substitute for war between nations, no policy of war
resistance.

When Jesus advised non-resistance, saying to his follower, "Put up again
thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish
with the sword,"[22] he was merely stating the danger of using violence,
not the immorality of employing force. In fact, he commanded his
disciples to take the very sword which he later told them to sheathe:
"He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one ... And
they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It
is enough."[23]

Thus Jesus, the supposed non-resistant, prepared his followers with
swords. These swords were for defense, and when the time came he
repudiated even that use of the weapons, but, nevertheless, he armed his
disciples instead of adhering to his principle of non-resistance. He did
not set a positive example of disarmament.

Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers ... love your enemies ... Have
peace one with another ... On earth peace, good will toward men ...
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you ... These things have I
spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace ... Resist not evil: but
whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also."

Other remarks of Jesus favored violence: "Think not that I am come to
send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."[24]
"Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but
rather division."[25] "But those mine enemies, which would not that I
should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."[26] "My
kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the
Jews."[27] "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in
peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome
him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth
his spoils."[28] "And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he
drove them all out of the temple."[29]

In determining whether or not Jesus was a promoter of peace it is only
reasonable to review everything that he said or did relating to the use
of violence, giving equal weight to every verse. We cannot accept one