84%
Confidence
Belief overview
Nonviolence and nonresistance
The tradition rejects war, vengeance, and the use of violence as ideal of Christian following.
4
Supportive
0
Contrary
0
Neutral
What it is: Amish nonresistance affirms that the Christian must avoid retaliatory violence, war, and lethal coercion.
How the tradition understands it: The ideal Christian response is marked by forgiveness, meekness, patience, reconciliation, and conscientious objection in military contexts.
Basis and context: This stance derives from the Sermon on the Mount and the Anabaptist heritage of peace.
Debates and variations: Some authors distinguish between active pacifism and nonresistance more separated from the public sphere; different branches emphasize distinct nuances.
Documentary evidence
Supportive
1 Peter 2:21-23
Christ suffers without retaliation.
Reference: 1 Peter 2:21-23.
Content: Christ is presented as example of suffering without retaliatory violence.
Use in debate: Central for nonresistance and patience in suffering.
John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus
Influential reading on the ethics of Jesus, discipleship, and nonviolence.
Reference: John Howard Yoder, The Politics of Jesus.
Content: The work defends the ethical normativity of Jesus for the life of the church and Christian politics, with emphasis on nonviolence and discipleship.
Use in debate: Very influential in Mennonite and Anabaptist circles, although also critically discussed.
Matthew 5:38-48
Love of enemies and non-retaliation.
Reference: Matthew 5:38-48.
Content: Jesus teaches not to retaliate and to love enemies.
Use in debate: One of the main bases of Amish nonresistance.
Romans 12:17-21
Overcome evil with good.
Reference: Romans 12:17-21.
Content: Paul recommends not seeking vengeance and overcoming evil with good.
Use in debate: Reinforces nonresistance and reconciliation.