I am including these two texts from Isaiah in my series on early Christian pacifism only because they are key texts for the early church’s understanding of its eschatological character. Many saw the church age as the beginning of the fulfillment of these Isaianic prophecies. By no means are these two Isaianic texts the only texts in the Old Testament having something to say about New Covenantal pacifism, but they will suffice for the limited scope of this series.
For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. (Isa. 2:3-4)
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isa. 9:1-7)
Labels: Early Christians, Nonviolence, Pacifism
2 Comments:
The peacemaking emphases in Isaiah are so obvious--and so much in the background of the Gospels as both Willard Swartley and Glen Stassen have recently emphasized--that people sometimes miss the peace emphases of other OT prophets, like Jeremiah.
http://levellers.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/jeremiah-as-war-resister/
No doubt. I read your post on Jeremiah as War Resister back when you first posted it, and it was well worth the read. I commend it to all. I included only Isaiah in this series because, apart from the Sermon on the Mount, he is the one most often quoted by the ante-Nicene writers on the subject of pacifism.
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