S
Steven_Merten
Guest
Hello All,
It seems to me that the institution of just punishments is the foundation upon which civilization stands. When a group is faced with roving gangs of murders, rapists, thieves and the like, the first step they must take, before all other steps, is to band together (form governments) who they will authorize to protect, capture and punish, to protect the body of people as a whole. The main reason for forming governments is to set up laws all individuals will be forced, through law, order and punishment, to follow, for the benefit and protection of the group of people as a whole.
Simply having a police force to come and have a shoot out with murderers, rapists and theives, but then turn, “forgive”, and let loose the criminal, after the shoot out, does nothing to protect the society. It is the punishment of criminals which sets apart a civilized society from an uncivilized, government less, society. It seems to me punishments are a good thing.
Many modern Christians seem to think that Jesus, telling us to forgive, wants us to simply forgive all who trespass against us, meaning, do not punish anyone. I agree with Moses who tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, take no revenge, and not to bear hatred in our hearts, when punishing (Leviticus 19:17). I believe that this was the message Jesus was repeating when Jesus quoted Moses’ words to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Jesus uses punishments to guide His followers into eternal life.
Modern Church leaders have eliminated some Church punishments in 1983 and they seem to be trying hard to cover over past Church use of punishments. Does the current Church see Church punishments now as a bad thing where once the Church may have seen Church punishments as a good thing? Do you feel Church punishments are good or bad?
Are just punishments, instituted by man, through the Church or State, a good thing or a bad thing?
**NAB LEV 19:17 **
"You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."
**NAB MAR 12:29 The Great Commandment. **
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
It seems to me that the institution of just punishments is the foundation upon which civilization stands. When a group is faced with roving gangs of murders, rapists, thieves and the like, the first step they must take, before all other steps, is to band together (form governments) who they will authorize to protect, capture and punish, to protect the body of people as a whole. The main reason for forming governments is to set up laws all individuals will be forced, through law, order and punishment, to follow, for the benefit and protection of the group of people as a whole.
Simply having a police force to come and have a shoot out with murderers, rapists and theives, but then turn, “forgive”, and let loose the criminal, after the shoot out, does nothing to protect the society. It is the punishment of criminals which sets apart a civilized society from an uncivilized, government less, society. It seems to me punishments are a good thing.
Many modern Christians seem to think that Jesus, telling us to forgive, wants us to simply forgive all who trespass against us, meaning, do not punish anyone. I agree with Moses who tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves, take no revenge, and not to bear hatred in our hearts, when punishing (Leviticus 19:17). I believe that this was the message Jesus was repeating when Jesus quoted Moses’ words to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Jesus uses punishments to guide His followers into eternal life.
Modern Church leaders have eliminated some Church punishments in 1983 and they seem to be trying hard to cover over past Church use of punishments. Does the current Church see Church punishments now as a bad thing where once the Church may have seen Church punishments as a good thing? Do you feel Church punishments are good or bad?
Are just punishments, instituted by man, through the Church or State, a good thing or a bad thing?
**NAB LEV 19:17 **
"You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."
**NAB MAR 12:29 The Great Commandment. **
“Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, "This is the first:
’Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
"This is the second,
’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
NAB MAT 25:41’Hear O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone!
Therefore you shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’
"This is the second,
’You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."