This article deals with the incongruency and enigma of violence on the part of Yahweh, in
order to locate action or inaction against violence on a human level. The debate whether
people should be actively involved in serving their countries in the military, if political
leaders can wage war and take up arms against a corrupt, grossly oppressive and unjust
regime, and if people should vote for and endorse parties with such policies, is contested.
Furthermore, questions such as whether people can fight back when they are attacked on the
street, whether they can own firearms and use them in self-defence when their families are
under siege, and if they can physically harm a person who is in the process of sexually
abusing their spouse, are indeed pertinent yet difficult questions to answer, especially in
light of verses that say ‘Blessed are the meek… blessed are the merciful… blessed are the
peacemakers… blessed are those who are persecuted…’ (Mt 5:3–10). The questions are
foregrounded on the notion that appropriates the Christian use of violence to correct a
wrong. For the purpose of this study, a historical and literary analysis was employed.
CONTRIBUTION : This article contributes to the theological discourse within the Old Testament,
ethical studies, New Testament studies as well as practical theology as it explores the
intersections between the theological theme of violence by means of historical-critical and
inter-textual reading methods.
enigma of violence
