Christianity is not a religion of pacifism. Remember that John the Baptist did not tell the soldiers who came to him to lay down their arms, even when they asked him directly, “what shall we do?” (Luke 3:14).I suppose it is an arguable point, whether or not the Christian faith is "pacifist". Some, typified by Stanley Hauerwas, argue that it is. Others do not. Using the examples Fischer has chosen from the Hebrew Scriptures, without any context, without any real amplification, without a consideration of the history of Israel within the larger framework of God's unfolding revelation to the world in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is what is known as proof-texting. I can go to all sorts of verses in the Bible and, citing them, insist that our faith supports pretty much anything.
War is certainly a terrible thing, and should only be waged for the highest and most just of causes. But if the cause is just, then there is great honor in achieving military success, success which should be celebrated and rewarded.
The bottom line here is that the God of the Bible clearly honors those who show valor and gallantry in waging aggressive war in a just cause against the enemies of freedom, even while inflicting massive casualties in the process. What I’m saying is that it’s time we started imitating God’s example again.
Bottom line, we can have a debate about whether or not Christianity is "pacifist". What we cannot do, and should not do, is consider the words Fischer uses here as representing anything resembling Christian thought. Doubling down with bad arguments on insulting comments really doesn't work all that well.
