Wouldn't you say that after 2000 years of 'Christians' being in Armies from nearly all countries and forms of government and forming Church Armies that they just do it irregardless of ethos.
Is It okay for a Christian to join the military?
by AiAi 44 Replies latest watchtower bible
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designs
Speaking of 'Christians' enthusiasm for military activity, for you Christians how do you view the Thirty Years War, 1618-1648, when Martin Luther raised an Army and Catholics countered with an Army and they hacked into each others throats with axes until their heads split off and rolled on the ground setting a moral and ethical statement about Jesus that is still discussed in classrooms.
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Chalam
Perhaps, but I didn't say that they couldn't be either of those things. Just that they shouldn't be corrupt if they do, nor join if it requires them to cheat others.
Agreed :)
This may be, but it isn't necessarily so. If a governing authority asks someone to do something that is directly against something Christ taught (or that is against the law, according to man's laws) then I think we both agree that we are not to do it. Christ didn't tell anyone not to pay taxes. He seemed pretty casual that the taxes were not something that TRULY mattered.
I doubt Jesus took a salary in His three years of ministry but he paid His tax (and for others I recall). It is recorded in three Gospels so it must be of some importance. No doubt He also paid tax as a carpenter before His ministry.
Stephen, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Paul was either mistaken, or we are mistaken about his context when it comes to judging.
Christ said do not judge, and to forgive. I don't know how 'do not judge' gets reconciled with 'judge'. Paul says in the same book, even before this quote, to judge nothing before the appointed time, and that he did not even judge himself.
So there is a conflict there.
As I mentioned, scripture needs to be considered on balance and in context or one will find numerous "conflicts". Most importantly scripture is not "the law" because we are under grace, it can only teach us and direct us under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 4:12 (New International Version, ©2010)
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (New International Version, ©2010)
14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Actually, re-reading both verses and their context - it seems Paul was in a state of damage control in the first, when he tells them to judge trivial matters between themselves, for he also goes on to say that the fact that they have lawsuits between themselves shows that they have been completely defeated already. Better to be wronged, or to have been cheated... and applied with Christ's teachings, better to forgive those wrongs, because they also went on (as do we all) to do wrong to others.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20-21 (New International Version, ©2010)
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
If you think Paul is in error then what other errors might be in the bible? Maybe Peter or John were in error at times or possibly Isaiah? In that case why not Jesus, after all He was a man like one of us?
Personally I stand firmly on 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and the following.
Numbers 23:19 (New International Version, ©2010)
19 God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?1 Samuel 15:29 (New International Version, ©2010)
29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”
Titus 1:2 (New International Version, ©2010)
2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time,
Hebrews 6:18 (New International Version, ©2010)
18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
Blessings in Christ,
Stephen
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designs
Did that just show where Christian Leaders learned to lie and double speak. Are Christians admitting that they have difficulty, or are prevented from seeing the obvious errors in the NT.
Christians have always joined the Armies of governments irregardless of ethos-
Ergo Blackwater.
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PSacramento
Speaking of 'Christians' enthusiasm for military activity, for you Christians how do you view the Thirty Years War, 1618-1648, when Martin Luther raised an Army and Catholics countered with an Army and they hacked into each others throats with axes until their heads split off and rolled on the ground setting a moral and ethical statement about Jesus that is still discussed in classrooms.
War in the name of God (or religion) is probably the most stupid freaking thing ever !
Regardless of what is written in the OT and regardless of how anyone can interpret it, War in the Name of God or Christ makes as much sense as having a sexual orgy with prostitutes in the name of God. -
designs
Are you making fun of the Bethel Toga parties
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designs
Question for Stephen and the Evanglicals-
In your Bible Study classes have you ever discussed how many hacks to the throat with an Axe it took to sever the head of a Catholic.
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PSacramento
In your Bible Study classes have you ever discussed how many hacks to the throat with an Axe it took to sever the head of a Catholic.
Dude...seriously.
While your tactics can be good at times and usually are entertaining, there is a fine line.
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designs
just wondering. The Evangelical run Blackwater take great care to train all of their ministers in hand to hand combat....Lift the head with the left hand and slit the throat left to right I think was the method taught.
I so admire these people.......
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PSacramento
The Evangelical run Blackwater take great care to train all of their ministers in hand to hand combat....Lift the head with the left hand and slit the throat left to right I think was the method taught.
If that is the method being taught then they suck because that is probably the worse posible way to do it, even IF "sliting the throat" was a viable option, which it typiclaly is not for many reasons.
I think your admiration is misplaced ;)