Is Christianity a Religion of War?

My previous post dealt with the uniqueness of Christianity. One of its unique attributes is that we believers aren't called to fight on behalf of our deity.

The people in this world should be extremely grateful that Christ forbad taking up the sword by his disciples to defend him. Read Luke 22:49-51 for the context of my assertion. Had this not been so, this world would be a much bloodier place if he commanded us to smite the necks of "unbelieving infidels."

Jesus said in Matthew 5:38-40 (KJV), "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also."

Since vengeance belongs to the Lord God Almighty, he will repay the unrepentant wicked people for their hateful deeds. As God said in Deuteronomy 32:35 (KJV), "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." Therefore, it isn't the Christian's duty to attack evildoers.

One Hindu writer on the Web did bring up the matter of Christ telling his disciples to buy a sword. He erroneously assumed that this made Christianity a violent religion. Luke 22:36 (KJV) reads, "Then said he unto them, 'But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.'"

Examine the context and you'll find that Christ never meant the sword to be literal but the Sword of the Spirit who would soon come to them. Notice too that the previous verse was about the time they were sent out without money and extra clothes. They lacked nothing then but this time they needed to be careful.

It's this uniqueness which I wish to highlight in my upcoming You Think You're Going to Heaven? book. Because of the multitude of evidence proving that Christianity is based in reality, people must heed Christ's commandments and follow him daily.