Christian Jihad - 1

Christian Jihad - 1

(A Terminological Blunder)

This is a bridge that is too bold and unnecessary. Attempting to connect our entire discussion—about the absolute God, love as a refining fire, respect for free will, and wrath as an expression of love—with the concept of "jihad" in Christianity is a mistake. Comparing jihad in its popular meaning (physical struggle) and jihad as spiritual struggle in Islam with the Way of the Cross (struggling against one's own tendency to judge and impose one's will) in Christianity is erroneous.

Let us examine this honestly.

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1. First, Purifying the Terminology of "Jihad"

The Arabic word "jihad" literally means "to struggle" or "to exert maximum effort." In Islam, it has two levels.

The first level is the "greater jihad" (jihad akbar), which is the struggle against one's own passions and internal temptations. The second level is the "lesser jihad" (jihad asghar), which is the physical struggle for self-defense or defense of the faith, governed by strict rules. A common mistake is that many non-Muslims only know of the lesser jihad, and even then only in its radicalized version, even though in authentic Islamic tradition, the greater jihad is far more important.

The hypothesis here is: if we were to borrow the term "jihad" into Christianity, it must refer to the greater jihad—the spiritual, not physical, struggle. And the ultimate goal of that struggle is respect for free will, not coercion.

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2. Why Is "Respect for Free Will" the Core of Christian Jihad?

From our entire discussion, several premises are already solid.

First, God is Love, and Love respects free will, meaning God forces no one to be saved. Second, Hell is the consequence of final rejection, not a sadistic punishment; God continues to love even those in hell, but His love becomes fire precisely because it is rejected. Third, the wrath of God is the refining fire of love, not a fit of rage; God's goal is always restorative as long as possible. Fourth, the devil is not an "enemy" on equal footing, but a rebel whose free will is respected to the very end; God does not "defeat" the devil with violence, but by allowing the devil to choose his own path until its final consequence.

Therefore, "jihad" in Christianity is this: the struggle to imitate God in respecting the free will of others—even when they are hostile to us—while simultaneously struggling against our own tendency to force, judge, and retaliate.

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3. Biblical Basis: The Struggle to Respect Free Will

a. Jesus Himself Respected Free Will, Even When Rejected

In Luke 9:51-56, Jesus wanted to pass through a Samaritan village that rejected Him. The disciples wanted to call down fire from heaven, but Jesus rebuked them and went to another village. In Matthew 26:53, in Gethsemane, Jesus said He could call twelve legions of angels, but He did not; He respected the free will of those who arrested Him. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in." He does not break the door down. The conclusion is that Jesus had absolute power to force, but He chose not to. This was His greatest "jihad": resisting the temptation to use power coercively for what He saw as others' "good."

b. The Apostle Paul: The Struggle Not to Judge

In Romans 14:4, Paul asks, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant?" In 1 Corinthians 4:5, he writes, "Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes." And in Romans 12:19, he quotes the Lord: "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." The conclusion is that Paul struggled against the natural human tendency to judge and impose one's own standards. Respecting another person's free will is a difficult form of love—this is the Christian jihad.

c. The Command "Do Not Judge" (Matthew 7:1) in the Context of Free Will

Jesus does not forbid all forms of moral discernment; He Himself judged the Pharisees. What He forbids is the attitude of judging that assumes one is the final judge over another person's destiny. Only God holds that position. Christian jihad is the struggle not to take God's position—that is, not to act as if we have the right to determine anyone's final destiny.

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4. Crucial Differences: Christian Jihad vs. Islamic Jihad (In Its Popular Understanding)

When we consider the battlefield of struggle, radical Islamist versions of jihad focus on the physical and political realms, whereas Christian jihad (in this hypothesis) is spiritual and internal. Regarding the enemy, the former targets infidels perceived as a threat, while the latter targets one's own passions and tendency to judge. The goal of radical jihad is to establish sharia and protect the Muslim community; the goal of Christian jihad is to imitate God in respecting free will. The method of radical jihad can include physical violence under certain conditions, whereas Christian jihad never involves physical violence; instead, it consists of active love, rebuke, and patience. Finally, the outcome of radical jihad is political or territorial victory, while Christian jihad ends in respecting others' final choices, even if that means they separate themselves from God.

A crucial note: in authentic Islamic tradition, the greater jihad (against one's passions) is actually superior. This hypothesis suggests that if this term is borrowed, it must refer to this deepest spiritual dimension.

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5. Christian Jihad as "Struggling Against Oneself"

Our entire discussion leads to one conclusion: our greatest enemy is not the devil, not sinners, not evil governments—but rather our own tendency to become the judge.

We face three inner temptations. The first is judging others as "enemies of God" who deserve destruction, thereby usurping God's position as Judge. The second is thinking that love means tolerating wrongdoing, forgetting that true love dares to rebuke. The third is thinking that rebuke equals hatred, forgetting that wrath is the fire of love. Christian jihad is the daily struggle not to fall into these temptations. It is the struggle to love enemies as God loves His enemies. It is the struggle to rebuke with a restorative purpose, not in a spirit of condemnation. It is the struggle to leave final judgment to God, while still actively doing good.

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6. Practical Application: How Does "Christian Jihad" Live Day by Day?

When someone insults your faith, the Christian jihad response is not to retaliate with violence or curses. Instead, pray for them. Rebuke if the opportunity arises, and do so gently.

When you see a fellow believer in sin, rebuke them with a restorative goal, not to condemn. Remember that you yourself could also fall.

When the government enforces an unjust policy, oppose it with truth and justice, but do not hate anyone personally. Respect that they too have free will.

When you feel that you are "right" and another person is "wrong," restrain yourself from final judgment. Leave it to God. Ask yourself, "Could I also be wrong?"

When the devil tempts you to despair or arrogance, resist with faith, as in James 4:7, but do not think yourself better than the devil. Remember, it is only by grace that you are different.

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7. Final Conclusion: True Jihad Is Imitating God

Our entire discussion—about the devil, wrath, purgatory, hell, and love for enemies—leads to one calling: to imitate God, who respects free will even when that free will chooses against Him. This is "jihad" in Christianity. It is not a war against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12 is clear: "our struggle is not against flesh and blood"). It is not the coercion of faith by the sword. It is not the judgment of others' final destinies. Rather, it is the struggle against the self that wants to be judge. It is the struggle to continue loving when rejected. It is the struggle to trust that final justice is in God's hands, not ours. And it is the struggle to hope that God's love is greater than any sin—without falling into a universalism that erases free will.

In closing: if you borrow the term "jihad," make sure its meaning is purified: jihad is the most difficult spiritual struggle—against one's own tendency to become God for others. This is the Way of the Cross. This is perfect love. This is the only "holy war" commanded in Christianity.