Barbarism, to what end!?

The Smiths, wildly popular in Britain, somewhat obscure in the USA, had a song titled "Barbarism Begins At Home". And I truly do believe that statement.  The song itself is lampooning corporal punishment.  And there are times when corporal punishment is misused.  Certainly there's no excuse in treating children like punching bags.  But the sentiment in that song reminds me of a crucial complaint that people have against Christianity.  It's a book written in blood.  The God of all creation lived a life of heartache and gave up His life to save those who were intent on taking it from Him.  And the various people who's stories are highlighted in His word all share in that suffering.  The first few chapters of The Bible depict an earth that is fraught with pain and discontent.

Furthermore, Jesus even said in one of His teachings - "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.". However, "those who live by the sword will die by the sword". It often gets misconstrued like He's saying don't live by the sword but you might notice He doesn't say that.  He simply provides a statement of fact as a warning to Peter.  I think that warning could be taken in conjunction with the words Jesus spoke about judgement of other people.  "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”. I think given the context of Jesus warning to Peter using his sword, it could be said that Jesus was, at least in part, reminding Peter of the importance of not judging, to put it simply.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  We are indeed to live by the sword -- the sword of The Spirit, which is The Word Of God.  The testimony of Jesus, His redeeming of humanity, the power that caused Him to rise from the grave, and His triumphant resurrection.

"But now abide faith, hope, love—these three; but the greatest of these is love."