Is non-resistance a required belief to be a sincere Christian believer?

[JohnH]

This is a thread to discuss viewpoints on whether or not one can be a Christian without practicing biblical non-resistance / nonviolence.

[Ernie]

Viewpoint #1, I don't know and I'm not sure we should be making such determinations.

[justme]

So what is biblical nonresistance? Is it like any other biblical position? In that it depends on who you ask?

[Neto]

I cannot make a determination about other people, but I know that for me, for this age & time, yes. I would like to be able to say that applies to everyone, and I don't honestly understand how it cannot. (I am uncertain of whether all Christians will possibly form a part of the 'Armies of God' at the end of time. I guess I have just opened myself up to being tagged as a 'dispensationalist'. But anyone who makes distinctions between the OT and NT periods is also espousing different 'dispensations'.)

[JohnH]

So what is biblical nonresistance? Is it like any other biblical position? In that it depends on who you ask?

I'm leaving that open to a variety of interpretations, and just asking the question about whether a belief in it is required at all.

[JohnH]

A bit of clarification: the question is framed for whether it applies to all believers, as opposed to just a personal conviction you hold for yourself.

[Julian]

So what is biblical nonresistance? Is it like any other biblical position? In that it depends on who you ask?

I'm leaving that open to a variety of interpretations, and just asking the question about whether a belief in it is required at all.

Jeepers! Thomas Müntzer lives on!

[JohnH]

So what is biblical nonresistance? Is it like any other biblical position? In that it depends on who you ask?

I'm leaving that open to a variety of interpretations, and just asking the question about whether a belief in it is required at all.

Jeepers! Thomas Müntzer lives on!

Yes - there are many who would have us believe Old Order Amish aren’t saved because they don’t have the same doctrinal opinions as evangelicals, yet evangelicals are saved even if engaging in killing on a mass scale as part of a military.

It is a worthwhile question to ask.

[ohio jones]

Jeepers! Thomas Müntzer lives on!

He even posts on MennoNet sometimes.

[barnhart]

One thing about Anabaptism I have always appreciated is the reluctance to speak boldly about things that are not entirely clear, such as the exact point of apostasy. I think this is part of the reason we have not warmed up to systematic theology. It's Ok to practice with confidence and certainty on being within God's will without clear judgement on believers who differ.