Can christians be soldiers?
-
It always been said that NT is about love and turn the other cheek so does that mean christians should not take up arms even in self defense.This is strange and opponents of christianity always used this against the church
-
I love them back so much i shower them with lead.
-
I will charge from behind and shoot.
-
I believe only members of the historic peace churches are opponents to military service in the Christianity branches. The Just War theory was developed in order to reconcile warfare with Christian belief by the Romans who embraced Christianity.
Not just opponents of Christianity I believe, even Christians used this against the Catholic Church.
-
1 word: Crusades
Google it if you don't know what it is.
-
Let's say if one declared a country a christian republic and find themselves surrounded by anti christian states. Can they defend themselves?
-
Originally posted by Catknight:
Let's say if one declared a country a christian republic and find themselves surrounded by anti christian states. Can they defend themselves?
So what about Israel? Is she right in defending herself against all the other muslim states??
-
The cult Jehovah Witness don't believe in army and this is not allowed in Singapore. Michael Jackson was once upon a time a Jehovah Witness.
The christian faith allows people going to army.
-
Originally posted by breytonhartge:
So what about Israel? Is she right in defending herself against all the other muslim states??
Epic fail, Israel is a Jewish state not Christian state.
-
Originally posted by Catknight:
Let's say if one declared a country a christian republic and find themselves surrounded by anti christian states. Can they defend themselves?
They will defend themselves if they want to, if human is forced into a situation when he/she has to choose to live or die most would choose the former.
-
God is merciful....
I am not...
*Rat at tat tat tat tat tat tat * nyieeehahahaaaahahaha !!!
-
Originally posted by BadzMaro:
God is merciful....
I am not...
*Rat at tat tat tat tat tat tat * nyieeehahahaaaahahaha !!!
"you called?"
-
Originally posted by ThunderFbolt:
"you called?"
lol..
more like..
This..
-
ending with
-
Originally posted by RoyFang:
Epic fail, Israel is a Jewish state not Christian state.
Yet the christians claim to worship the G_d of Avraham, Yitzak and Yaakov... you go figure. : )
-
If you believe in an afterlife, whats there to lose? I would think the non-religious should be the ones opposing conscription.
-
Originally posted by Catknight:
It always been said that NT is about love and turn the other cheek so does that mean christians should not take up arms even in self defense.This is strange and opponents of christianity always used this against the church
actually if you read the NT carefully it is about teshuva, or returning back to G_d, it is not just about love... it is about duty, following His commandments and following His ways.
It speaks about the final battle to come and how we must be prepared for it.
It speaks about our salvation by becoming part of Yisrael, and how we have covenant with Yahweh.
There is so much more to the NT that the christian church never teach on.
-
I have come not to bring peace, but a sword
-
To answer that question, there're a few foundational things to deal with....
First of all, the answer has nothing to do with the differences between the NT and the OT.
The bible is ONE, and God is the same throughout the ages, He never changes today or tomorrow.
The differences between the Old and New Testament is a matter of covenants and ceremonies. For example, in the Old Testament, before Jesus came to wash away sin through His blood, the ceremonies and festivals were necessary as a symbol of how the Lamb of God will redeem us, but after He has come, there is no longer a need for such ceremonies...and so on.
However, the character of God is the same throughout the NT and OT. The law is still valid, in the OT and NT, although both in the NT and the OT, nobody could be saved by the law, but these are eternal truths of God's character that does not change.
So the concept of a difference of whether it is right/wrong after OT/NT is a wrong concept and in theology, it is a type of heresy to believe a seperate character of God in OT/NT.
Back to the question on whether Christians can be soldiers. As in all things, it is according to your faith, whether right/wrong, the laws of God are plain to read, the commandments of God, not to kill the innocent, etc. are plain.
But whether joining your nation's army is right/wrong is a matter of your own discernment/faith, if your country's military force is for the peace of mankind and nations, or for destruction and the use of satan.
A few scriptures to consider:
In Ecclesiastes, it says, there's a time for everything....including for peace/war.
In the OT, the children of Israel had an army.
In the NT, the nations in the end times were judged according to which side their army was on, for or against Israel.
In Revelations and throughout the bible, God has an army too - of angels.
So....I think we can conclude, throughout the bible, there's nothing against an army/military force. Just like you can be rich and be righteously rich like David, or you can be poor but a sinner. Rich or poor doesn't mean if you're right, so army or not, doesn't mean you're righteous or not either. It is a matter of what you use your military force for, just like money, or anything you're given in this lifetime.
-
Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)
-
Originally posted by Catknight:
It always been said that NT is about love and turn the other cheek so does that mean christians should not take up arms even in self defense.This is strange and opponents of christianity always used this against the church
Actually Jesus did not meant lying yourself down & be a floor mat for walk over when people are up against you.
During those days most Jews are right handed & they use the back of the right hand to slap slaves & animals. Thus the slap on the right cheek. To turn your left cheek means challenging the other party to fight you on equal grounds, slap with the palm & fight as a equal man.
My Jesus in the Bible is firm yet not over demanding. He over turned the money changing tables at the temple. He called the Pharisees a broad of vipers & He also called them hypocrites. When the Pharisees challenged Him with the Law when they showed Him the woman they caught in adultery, He challenged those Pharisees to stone her if anyone of them are without sin.
Peter was a coarse & rugged fisherman but Peter followed Him. Peter cut off a Roman soldier's ear at the garden of Gethsamane before Jesus's arrest but Jesus healed the Roman soldier.
So if you think that the Bible tells Christians to be wimps. Think again.
-
Originally posted by Dreamwerkz:
Actually Jesus did not meant lying yourself down & be a floor mat for walk over when people are up against you.
During those days most Jews are right handed & they use the back of the right hand to slap slaves & animals. Thus the slap on the right cheek. To turn your left cheek means challenging the other party to fight you on equal grounds, slap with the palm & fight as a equal man.
My Jesus in the Bible is firm yet not over demanding. He over turned the money changing tables at the temple. He called the Pharisees a broad of vipers & He also called them hypocrites. When the Pharisees challenged Him with the Law when they showed Him the woman they caught in adultery, He challenged those Pharisees to stone her if anyone of them are without sin.
Peter was a coarse & rugged fisherman but Peter followed Him. Peter cut off a Roman soldier's ear at the garden of Gethsamane before Jesus's arrest but Jesus healed the Roman soldier.
So if you think that the Bible tells Christians to be wimps. Think again.
After going for confession, can one then start throwing the stones?
-
of course Christians can be soldiers............just ask the popes that frequently went to war trying to expand the Papal States...........when they massacred christians in France to confiscate their wealth..............not to mention the Crusades so as to gain more wealth and power..............far far too many to mention...........
-
I don't care if you are religious or not, but it is clear that the world's problems will not be solved by pacifism.
Some people will only understand, and answer to force.
-
Originally posted by dadeadman1337:
After going for confession, can one then start throwing the stones?
What do you think? Why did'nt the Pharisees went for confession & came back to stone her? Since the woman was caught for adultery, why did'nt Jesus punish her according to the Law?