Tell me what you think [update]
For those of you who are too lazy to, or don't have the time to read the story linked to in the previous "Tell me what you think" post, I'll tell you the story.
So this guy was a Christian who joined the military, and was on the frontlines and all that. It wasn't until later in his military career that he really came to KNOW Christ, and decided that from he read in the Bible that he could no longer kill anyone.
The story talks about his Christian contacts, some who said that the part about honoring your government took precedent and that he should continue to fight, some said that though he shouldn't kill Jesus' sacrifice would cover whatever sins he did over there (Baptist preacher), and other like responses.
He decided to go but he wouldn't go armed, because he couldn't love his enemies, and hold true to the teachings about not killing, but killing people. He had to apply for CO (conscious objector) status, and the story talks about his struggle with the military over it, and the struggle of many other men in his same situation.
It is worth reading... but what do you think. Can a devout Christian fight in the military and still hold true to the teachings of Christ???
I know it is controversial... otherwise I wouldn't want to ask your opinion.
posted by Russ @ 10:17 AM
18 comments
18 Comments:
yes i believe they can. i have nothing to back my opinion up, but yes i think they can.
As I've told you before russ, i do not want to type an entire essay on my reasoning behind the answer so i will not post my answer..but I do have a strong opinion on that matter just so ya know!..and it is well backed up
i do have something to back mine up, but tell me if i'm wrong.
did not people in Jesus' time go to battle and kill people?
Nate... if you're the only one who can back it... post it for crying out loud. Make it a whole new post rather than a comment.
Yes, people did go to war back then, and have since the beg of time. And yes the Israelites did go to war alot, but does that mean that Christians... followers of Christ, and the New Covenant... can go to war and kill people for their government.
Or to take it up a notch... Why is it that so many "Christians" are willing to go fight for a country and die, but so few are willing to dedicate that same time or risk to spreading the gospel?
Honestly I think it is because most Christian churches put as much or more focus on being a citizen of America than they put on being a citizen of God's Kingdom. Which is absolute foolishness.
russ... point well put. sorry i couldn't back my opinion up.
i too, nate, would like to hear your opinion on it.
A few google searches or better yet commentary or concordance searches would help you find some biblical sources to form your opinion... and be able to back it
thanks russ!
maybe i will get a chance to do that when i'm off work for the next two weeks!!!! yay!!!! i'm finally away from walmart.
give me till next week..im booked till Christmas..and i want some time to meditate and think about how im going to round my opinion to where it makes sense when i type it...
quote of the month "post it for crying out loud"...-Russ
Hey, you guys should listen to "My Enemies Are Men Like Me" by Derek Webb off the Mockingbird album. Cool song, very relevant to this topic.
Oh yeah, Nate...stop being a chicken and post your thoughts...please...we'd all like to hear...so yeah...do it... please...okay...that's all...goodbye.
Nice post Todd... but you didn't back any of it.
Does the Bible ever say that Christians should be be "free" to be Christians. Does it ever say that maintaining religious freedom is something which should be important to Christians... Do you read about biblical Christians ever fighting to gain their freedom?
I also agree that Christians should be in all areas of the workforce... but all Christians are called to ministry. I think you can be 100% devoted to Christ and be a minister without being a vocational (paid) minister... but I think it is so rare that it is incredible. Money and success corrupts like most don't understand, and won't admit.
The church needs people from all backgrounds, with all talents and abilities. I think the church has too narrow of a view of full time ministry, because no matter what you want to do with your life, you can do it as a full time minister.
I like the fact that you have a soapbox to stand on... I just hope you build your box upon scripture and not how you feel.
Nice response.
I am one though who thinks that EVERYONE could greatly benefit from 2 years of Bible college, for personal spiritual growth and understanding. If one is to live a life of ministry and to be the best sunday school teacher, deacon, or elder they can be, 2 years of formal biblical education would make all the difference in the world.
Most poeple (Christians even) think that would be crazy because its 2 years of paid education which you won't use to make money. Isn't building a kingdom more important than building wealth? It is hard to see past today though.
I DON'T think everyone belongs in full-time ministry by anymeans. I think far too many people are doing full-time ministry who really shouldn't be. I've told you guys about them time and time again. It bothers me when youth ministers convince their students that they all need to be youth ministers, or preachers, because they are positions that I feel, and scripture leads me to believe that, you must be Called to.
Seriously nice posts Todd. I'm just trying to get you guys to think outside the box.
alright guys, here it is..I decided against a hole new post because i am super crazy busy over break and I want to keep this short
So for all of you, not mentioning any names Duane that are calling me chicken here it is
When it comes to our allegiane to a country...I believe our allegiance should be to God and God alone...However, in the Bible, we are clearly instructed to be 'servants to all' and to 'live in peace with our government'...so
"Give to Ceasar, what is Ceasar, and to God what is God's"
I believe that when it comes to paying taxes, insurance, so on etc. we are to do that out of allegiance for God to please God...However, when it comes to war, I would not fight for 'my' country..I would not be able to do that with a clear conscious..I believe that we are to obey what the leader's of the government tell us until it crosses over into conflicting with what God tells us..I will not kill people..I might be in the army, but instead of firing guns, i will hand out Bible's...instead of torturing prisonser's i will comfort them and show them the love of Christ...instead of executing an 'enemy' i will take their punishment on myself...if i am to suffer for that, than that's ok with me...if our religous freedom that we have is taken away, that does not change the command that God has given us to spread the gospel..in fact, God's glory might be even more clearly displayed and it might even effect people more that way..
live at peace with the government
be submissive to all people, not out of allegiance to this country, but out of allegiance to our God...
I hope that was clearly explained..if you have a different opinion, please make a comment..i would love to research and examine this topic even more than i already have..thanks for being patient with me also to post this
o and a remark on todd and russ's little discussion on the hole 'Bible college' thing..
I agree with you guys
Not everyone needs to go into a designed ministry, but it would benefit greatly if EVERYONE(haha) went to Bible college for a biblical founding..
we know that the disciples were uneducated men and yet, changed the course of history..however, despite them not being 'formally eductated'..they spent around 3 years with Jesus...How much of an education to live like Christ is there than to actually spend time living with the guy and traveling with him and watching the reactions and responses to those around him...in order to to be an effective Christian, one needs to look extremely close on the life of Christ and study his behavior..not to build of education..but to build up faith
I think to many times in our Christian culture, we seek to look at Biblical facts and statistics and we miss the point of the Gospel...to be reconciled to God through Christ...our studies need not to be on learning about Christ..but learning how to be exactly like Christ.....if you all know what im saying..the purpose and reason of studying the Bible, is to Grow closer to God and see his glory...sooooooooooooooooo i agree with you guys..nice little conversation..congrats to the both of you, way to be thinking outside the box
=)
Why in the heck are you not willing to go outside of Indiana to go to a Bible college?
Come on todd...it's INDIANA...lol
why isn't NLCC located in PA or TN?!?!?!
I feel your pain Todd.
because God wants us right where we are...
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