Sedonaman,
You do indeed make a valid point. Yet, to be Christian sometimes invites persecution. Christianity spread in the beginning not just by preaching the Gospel but also by the impression the the Gospel left. Take Roman society back then, polytheistic, cruel but with a brutal honor system. Now when the Roman military and even citizens observed how Christians were stoically some even gleefully going to their deaths this made a huge impression on them. These actions by the Christian martyers actually helped spread Christianity through the example they set. There’
s a story of a roman legion which was Christian. Once when they were given an order by the Emperor that violated a Christian commandment, I think he wanted them to sacrifice to a pagan god or what not maybe even to the emperor himself). He sentenced them to death. They were sent to freeze to death. They marched out there and waited to die. Die they did, one by one until only one remained. He ran from them to make the sacrifice and live. However a roman soldier who was sent to watch the sentence being carried out was so moved by the sacrifice he saw that he stripped off his armor and took the deserters place dying with the others. What does this have to do with an eye for an eye? Simple, the eye for an eye sentiment you expressed is Old Testament and the sacrifice I mention is New Testament. If we follow Jesus’s example our actions may speak louder than any sabre stabbing. Our numbers maybe small in time (if Islam takes over) but this doesn’t mean the Christian Gospel is lost. Over in the middle east where Islam began there is still a Christian presence. Also if even one muslim sees the sacrifice we make they may convert thus ensuring Christianity’s survival.
Peace be with you
gmcbroom
You do indeed make a valid point. Yet, to be Christian sometimes invites persecution. Christianity spread in the beginning not just by preaching the Gospel but also by the impression the the Gospel left. Take Roman society back then, polytheistic, cruel but with a brutal honor system. Now when the Roman military and even citizens observed how Christians were stoically some even gleefully going to their deaths this made a huge impression on them. These actions by the Christian martyers actually helped spread Christianity through the example they set. There’
s a story of a roman legion which was Christian. Once when they were given an order by the Emperor that violated a Christian commandment, I think he wanted them to sacrifice to a pagan god or what not maybe even to the emperor himself). He sentenced them to death. They were sent to freeze to death. They marched out there and waited to die. Die they did, one by one until only one remained. He ran from them to make the sacrifice and live. However a roman soldier who was sent to watch the sentence being carried out was so moved by the sacrifice he saw that he stripped off his armor and took the deserters place dying with the others. What does this have to do with an eye for an eye? Simple, the eye for an eye sentiment you expressed is Old Testament and the sacrifice I mention is New Testament. If we follow Jesus’s example our actions may speak louder than any sabre stabbing. Our numbers maybe small in time (if Islam takes over) but this doesn’t mean the Christian Gospel is lost. Over in the middle east where Islam began there is still a Christian presence. Also if even one muslim sees the sacrifice we make they may convert thus ensuring Christianity’s survival.
Peace be with you
gmcbroom