Sources for: What did Lactantius teach about killing and justice?

Nonresistance - Nonresistance Matthew 5:38-42

…from the good and wise man two of the greatest virtues: innocence and patience. Therefore, patience must be seen as a very great virtue. And so that the just man might gain this virtue, God willed, as has been said before, that he should be looked down on as slow and lazy. For unless he has been insulted, it will not be known what strength he has in holding himself back. Now, if, when he is provoked by injury, he begins to chase his attacker with violence, he is defeated. LACTANTIUS: It is not right for those who work to stay on the path of justice to be companions and partners in this public killing. When God forbids us to kill, He not only stops us from open violence, which is not even allowed by public laws, He also warns us not to do things that people think are lawful. So it will not be lawful for a just man to take part in war because his warfare is justice itself. It will also not be lawful for him to accuse anyone of a charge that could lead to death. It makes no difference whether you put a man to death by words or by the sword. The act of putting someone to death is what is forbidden. Therefore, for this command of God, there should be no exception at all. It is always un…

Nonresistance - Nonresistance Matthew 5:38-42

LACTANTIUS: It is not right for those who work to stay on the path of justice to be companions and partners in this public killing. When God forbids us to kill, He not only stops us from open violence, which is not even allowed by public laws, He also warns us not to do things that people think are lawful. So it will not be lawful for a just man to take part in war because his warfare is justice itself. It will also not be lawful for him to accuse anyone of a charge that could lead to death. It makes no difference whether you put a man to death by words or by the sword. The act of putting someone to death is what is forbidden. Therefore, for this command of God, there should be no exception at all. It is always unlawful to put a man to death because God willed him to be a sacred creature. TERTULLIAN: Tertullian. Being patient when you lose things is practice in giving and sharing. The person who is not afraid to lose does not find it hard to give. Otherwise, how will someone, when he has two coats, give one of them to a person with no clothes, unless he is also the kind of person who can offer his cloak to someone who takes away his coat? How can we make friends for ourselves from…

The Divine Institutes - Chapter 9. Of the Crimes of the Wicked, and the Torture Inflicted on the Christians.

At times, however, they see that they are wicked, and they praise the condition of earlier ages. They suppose that justice is absent because of their own character and deserts. For although she appears before their eyes, they not only fail to accept or recognize her, but they even fiercely hate her, persecute her, and try to drive her away. For now, let us suppose that she whom we follow is not justice. Then how will they receive her whom they imagine to be the true justice, if she comes, when they torture and kill those whom they themselves admit are imitators of the just, because they do what is good and just? If they were putting only the wicked to death, they would deserve for justice not to visit them, since she had no other reason for leaving the earth than the shedding of human blood. How much more is this true when they kill the righteous, and count the followers of justice themselves as enemies, yes, as worse than enemies? For although men eagerly seek the lives, property, and children of their enemies by sword and fire, yet when those enemies are conquered, they are spared. Even in the middle of warfare, there is room for mercy. Or if they have decided to carry their crue…

The Epitome of the Divine Institutes - Chapter 56.— Of Justice, Which is the Worship of the True God.

…would injure themselves for the advantage of others. Then if anyone should find a man who, through a mistake, was offering gold for sale as mountain-brass, or silver as lead, and necessity should compel him to buy it, will he conceal his knowledge and buy it for a small sum, or will he rather inform the seller of its value? If he informs him, he will plainly be called just. But he will also be foolish, for conferring an advantage upon another and injuring himself. But it is easy to judge in a case of injury. What if he should be in danger of his life, so that it is necessary for him either to kill another or to die? What will he do? It may happen that, after suffering shipwreck, he may find some feeble person clinging to a plank. Or, when his army has been defeated, in his flight he may find a wounded man on horseback. Will he thrust the one from the plank, and the other from his horse, so that he himself may be able to escape? If he wishes to be just, he will not do it. But he will also be judged foolish, because in sparing the life of another he will lose his own. If he does it, he will indeed seem wise, because he will provide for his own interests. But he will also be wicked, b…

Nonresistance - Nonresistance Matthew 5:38-42

LACTANTIUS: Those who strive to walk the path of justice should not engage in or condone public homicide. When God instructs us not to kill, He is not merely forbidding open violence, which is disallowed by public laws anyway; He is also cautioning us against actions that are deemed acceptable in human society. Hence, it is not appropriate for a righteous man to partake in warfare, as his battle is with justice itself. Likewise, it's not right for him to accuse anyone of a capital crime, because it matters not if death is inflicted by word or sword - it's the act of killing that's proscribed. Thus, regarding this direction from God, there should be no exceptions whatsoever; killing a human being, a creature that God intended to be revered, is always prohibited. The Divine Institutes, book 6, chapter 20 (Ante-Nicene Fathers 7.187).

Treasure in Heaven Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasure in Heaven Matthew 6:19-21

LACTANTIUS: The act of rescuing captives is an important and honorable exercise of justice. It is also vital to protect and assist orphans and widows who are desperate and in need of help; the divine law dictates this to everyone, as all good judges consider it their responsibility to favor them with compassion and strive to support them. Particularly, we should embrace these acts, as we have received the law and God's instruction. People generally understand that it is morally right to protect those in need, though they may not understand why it is so. God, the source of eternal mercy, orders widows and orphans to be protected and cherished, not allowing anyone to evade death for the sake of justice and faith due to concern for their children. They should face death with determination and courage, knowing they leave their loved ones in the care of God, and they will never lack protection. Moreover, caring for and supporting the ill, who require assistance, is an act of tremendous compassion and generosity. Whoever undertakes this will offer a living sacrifice to God, and what he has given to another in time, he will receive from God eternally. The greatest duty of piety, though, i…

Nonresistance - Nonresistance Matthew 5:38-42

LACTANTIUS: Religion should be defended not by killing, but by dying. It should be defended not by cruelty, but by patient endurance. It should be defended not by guilt, but by good faith. The first things belong to evil, but the second belong to good. And it is necessary for what is good to have a place in religion, and not what is evil. For if you want to defend religion by bloodshed, and by torture, and by guilt, it will no longer be defended; instead, it will be polluted and profaned. Nothing depends on free will as much as religion does. If the mind of the worshipper does not want it, then religion is immediately taken away and stops existing. Therefore, the right way is to defend religion by patient endurance, or by death. In this way, keeping the faith is pleasing to God Himself, and it also gives religion greater authority. Think about someone in an earthly war. If he keeps faith with his king in some famous act, then if he continues to live, he is more loved and accepted. And if he falls, he receives the highest glory because he has gone through death for his leader. How much more should faith be kept toward God, the Ruler of all? God is able to give the reward of virtue n…

Nonresistance - Nonresistance Matthew 5:38-42

…f this book, because now the time is at hand; and let those who keep on hurting others, keep on hurting; and let the one who is filthy be filthy still, but let the righteous do even more righteousness; and in the same way, let the one who is holy do even more holiness.'" Look, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me to repay every person according to his deeds. THE Onus of Alexandria: Never hurt anyone at any time, and do not stir up anyone to anger. If someone hurts you, look to Jesus Christ, and just as you want Him to forgive your sins, you should also forgive their sins against you. LACTANTIUS: Religion should be defended not by killing, but by dying. It should be defended not by cruelty, but by patient endurance. It should be defended not by guilt, but by good faith. The first things belong to evil, but the second belong to good. And it is necessary for what is good to have a place in religion, and not what is evil. For if you want to defend religion by bloodshed, and by torture, and by guilt, it will no longer be defended; instead, it will be polluted and profaned. Nothing depends on free will as much as religion does. If the mind of the worshipper does not want it, the…

Apology - Chapter 1

…s of a wicked man? In any case, it is blood shed in murder. O Jove, yourself a Christian, and truly your father's only son in cruelty! But as for child murder, it does not matter whether it is done for a sacred purpose or simply by a person's own impulse, although, as we have said, there is a great difference between parricide and homicide. I will now turn to people in general. How many do you think, among those who crowd around and gape for Christian blood, and even among your rulers, known for their justice toward you and their severity against us, could I accuse in their own consciences of killing their own children? And as for the method of killing, it is certainly the crueler way to kill by drowning, or by exposure to cold, hunger, and dogs. A more mature age has always preferred death by the sword. But in our case, since murder is forbidden once for all, we may not destroy even the fetus in the womb, while the human being is still drawing blood from the other parts of the body for nourishment. To prevent a birth is only a quicker man-killing. It does not matter whether you take away a life that has been born, or destroy one that is coming to birth. That is a man which is goin…

Love Your Enemies - Love Your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48

LACTANTIUS: If we all come from one man whom God created, then we are clearly of one blood. Therefore, it must be considered the greatest wickedness to hate a person, even if that person is guilty. Because of this, God has commanded that we must never start enmities. Instead, they must always be removed. We should calm those who are our enemies by reminding them that we are related. In the same way, if we are all given life and spirit by one God, what else are we but brothers? In fact, we are even more closely united because we are united in soul rather than in body. So Lucretius, a Roman poet and philosopher, is not wrong when he says, "In short, we are all sprung from a heavenly seed. All have that same Father. Therefore, those who harm people should be counted as savage beasts. They act against every law and every right of human nature when they plunder, torture, kill, and banish." Because of this relationship of brotherhood, God teaches us never to do evil, but always to do good. He also tells us what doing good means. It means giving help to those who are oppressed and in trouble, and giving food to those who are destitute. LACTANTIUS: What else is this preserving of humanity…

Love Your Enemies - Love Your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48

LACTANTIUS: But the just man will not miss any chance to do something merciful. He will not make himself unclean with profit like this. Instead, he will act so that, without any loss to himself, what he lends can be counted among his good works. He must not accept a gift from a poor man. Then, if he himself has given anything, it can be good, because it is freely given. If anyone insults him, he must answer with a blessing. He himself must never insult anyone, so that no evil word comes out of the mouth of a man who honors the good word. Also, he must carefully take care that, because of any fault of his, he does not ever make an enemy. And if anyone is so shameless as to harm a good and just man, he must endure it with calmness and self-control. He must not take revenge for himself. Instead, he must leave it for the judgment of God. LACTANTIUS: Pity is closely connected with harmlessness. Harmlessness does not cause injury; pity does good. Harmlessness begins justice, and pity completes it. The nature of human beings is weaker than the nature of other animals. God has provided those animals with ways to use force and with defenses to push it back. But God has given us the feeling…

Love Your Enemies - Love Your Enemies Matthew 5:43-48

ORIGEN: or Ichen, if all the Romans accept the Christian faith, then when they pray, they will overcome their enemies—or rather, they will not go to war at all because they will be protected by that divine power. That power promised to save five whole cities for the sake of fifty righteous people. ORIGEN: or Ijen. Next, Celsus, a pagan critic, urges us to help the king with all our might and to work with him in keeping justice, to fight for him, and if he requires it, to fight under him or lead an army along with him. Our answer is that we do, when the situation requires it, give help to kings, and so to speak it is a divine help by putting on the whole armor of God. We do this in obedience to the command of the apostle. I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority. The more anyone excels in devotion to God, the more effective help that person gives to kings. This help is even greater than what soldiers give, who go out to fight and kill as many enemies as they can. And to those enemies of our faith who demand that we carry weapons for the commonwealth and kill m…

Matthew 5:38-42

Nonresistance - Nonresistance Matthew 5:38-42 LACTANTIUS: Those who strive to walk the path of justice should not engage in or condone public homicide. When God instructs us not to kill, He is not merely forbidding open violence, which is disallowed by public laws anyway; He is also cautioning us against actions that are deemed acceptable in human society. Hence, it is not appropriate for a righteous man to partake in warfare, as his battle is with justice itself. Likewise, it's not right for h...

Matthew 6:19-21

Treasure in Heaven Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasure in Heaven Matthew 6:19-21 LACTANTIUS: The act of rescuing captives is an important and honorable exercise of justice. It is also vital to protect and assist orphans and widows who are desperate and in need of help; the divine law dictates this to everyone, as all good judges consider it their responsibility to favor them with compassion and strive to support them. Particularly, we should embrace these acts, as we have received the law and God's inst...

The Christians During the Revolutionary War

They're going to come over and steal everything, kill your wives and children, make you slaves, just like they've done, still do nowadays. They were saying, you know, anybody who's noble and red-blooded doesn't want to be a slave. Jesus didn't teach us to love our enemies. That's crazy. We live in a real world. Jesus wouldn't want us to do that. And they said they did it throughout all the colonies. Like I said, and they did say, "Oh." And they made it hard because the Mennonites and the others were one of the few who said, "No, Jesus told us to love our enemies." One of the pastors had the nerve to say that the angels are on our side because we have truth and justice. That is pretty amazing in my mind when you are completely directly violating the teaching of Christ to overthrow the lawful government and you say that we have truth and justice, angels on our side.