Jesus said it plainly: "Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." — Matthew 26:52 "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." — Luke 6:27 Every major church father for 300 years after Jesus agreed — Christians cannot kill. Period. - Tertullian (~200 CE): "Shall it be held lawful to make an occupation of the sword, when the Lord proclaims that he who uses the sword shall perish by the sword?" - Origen (~230 CE): "We no longer take up sword against nation, nor do we learn war any more." - Hippolytus (~215 CE): "A soldier in command must be told not to kill people... if he is not willing to comply, he must be rejected." — This was a baptism requirement. Then Constantine conquered under the cross in 312 CE. By 416 CE, *only Christians* could serve in the Roman military. The complete reversal took about one century. So here's the question: Is violence ever justified as a follower of The Way? Not what the institution built after him — what he said, in his own words. When Peter drew a sword to defend Jesus's life — the most justified act of self-defense in history — Jesus told him to put it away. Then went willingly to his death. He didn't say "turn the other cheek unless it gets really bad." He modeled it at the ultimate cost. So where does that leave us? Drop your thoughts below. Iron sharpens iron.