Pacifist yes — definitely not an anarchist. He instructed his followers to obey all laws in all situations that didn’t conflict with loving God and loving other people. However, he despised “tradition” and flaunted it constantly.
Pacifism isn’t the same as being a doormat. It doesn’t say he attacked anyone, just chased them out with a whip.
He is also reported to call his disciples to strap on their swords at one point though, and at least Peter took him literally. So he obviously wasn’t a “pacifism at all costs” kind of person.
Pacifist yes — definitely not an anarchist. He instructed his followers to obey all laws in all situations that didn’t conflict with loving God and loving other people. However, he despised “tradition” and flaunted it constantly.
Anarchists aren’t against following laws, they’re against unjust hierarchies
Did I misread the part when he kicks the shit out of the money changers?
Yup. He overturned their tables and yelled at them to get out of the temple.
Of course, that would be classified as terrorism today….
In the John version of the story, he “drives” them out of the temple with a whip. It’s difficult to reconcile that with a total pacifism.
Pacifism isn’t the same as being a doormat. It doesn’t say he attacked anyone, just chased them out with a whip.
He is also reported to call his disciples to strap on their swords at one point though, and at least Peter took him literally. So he obviously wasn’t a “pacifism at all costs” kind of person.