Does Jesus Ban All War? | “Turn the Other Cheek” & Just War Explained ✝️🛡️

Does “turn the other cheek” outlaw every war on earth? In this episode, I tackle a listener’s bold question—“When Jesus said turn the other cheek, doesn’t that mean war is always wrong?”—and unpack how radical humility and righteous defense work together in God’s plan.

We dive into:
What “turn the cheek” really means in personal life vs. matters of state (Matthew 5:38–39; Isaiah 50:6)
Why Jesus praised the centurion’s faith and never told soldiers to abandon their post (Luke 7:1–10)
John the Baptist’s simple counsel to Roman soldiers—integrity in service, not desertion (Luke 3:14)
Defending the innocent as sacrificial love, not hate
Just War Theory 101—the four non-negotiables from Augustine and the Catechism
Whether you’ve wrestled with reconciling meekness and courage, or just need clarity on Church teaching about war, this one’s for you.

➡️ WATCH TIL THE END for a final prayer for peace—and discover why sometimes love demands we defend.

📖 Featured Scriptures & Sources
• Matthew 5:38–39 – “You have heard that it was said… turn the other cheek.”
• Luke 7:2–10 – The centurion’s faith commended by Christ
• Luke 3:14 – John the Baptist’s words to soldiers
• Romans 13:1–4 – Government’s role ordained “from above”
• Augustine, City of God & Catechism §§2309–2317 – Foundations of Just War

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Timestamps
0:00 – Can “turn the cheek” ban all conflict?
0:17 – Pilate’s court: divine authority explained
1:23 – Humility for self vs. defense of others
4:45 – Just War essentials: the four criteria
6:51 – Final challenge & prayer for peace