J
Jeremy_Peter
Guest
Brothers and Sisters.
I was wondering what your thoughts were on fighting in war. I posted something like this earlier but had the mods delete it because I wrote it with my heart instead of my head, and so I wanted to present this thread in a more emotionally unattached way.
As I see it, Christ commanded us to love our enemies. Now, I understand that this is a “hard saying” as the the twelve would have said in their early years with Christ. What do we make of this commandment?
Did wars happen in the Old Testament with God backing up His people? Yes. This I understand. They were subjected to numerous laws to keep God’s commandments, but never really understood what God wanted from them. What did Christ say to us? “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Mt. 22:37-40)
I am also reminded of Christs’ words that night in Gethsemane; “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Mt. 26:52)” Then Jesus proceeded to heal Malchus’ ear.
There are many things that pure Love is not as His Word states.
Having said these things, I do understand that this is a very complex issue and by no means do I attempt to belittle such a serious thing (as I know there will probably be many who have or have had others involved in the defense of their own countries. May you have patience while the truth is discussed). However, what I understand from Christ is to be true is that we are not of this world, but in it. We are called apart from it as His children. As sheep (sheep do not and cannot defend themselves) in His flock. I do not remember the original apostles or any of the disciples, including church fathers, entering into battle. In fact, Rome persecuted many of the early Christians for not soldiering under Marcus Aurelius and other rulers. The emperor felt that “these atheists” (Christians) did not contribute to the stability of Rome by fighting in its legions.
Could I be wrong? Certainly. Am I open to correction? I believe that as an anti-Catholic protestant for many years, now defending the Roman Catholic faith, that I definitely am. Just as I sought for truth with an open heart and mind, by the grace of God, regarding the doctrines of the RCC, I look to uphold certain other traditions that I believe are truly important. The Truth is dear to my heart and without it I may as well be dust.
I was wondering what your thoughts were on fighting in war. I posted something like this earlier but had the mods delete it because I wrote it with my heart instead of my head, and so I wanted to present this thread in a more emotionally unattached way.
As I see it, Christ commanded us to love our enemies. Now, I understand that this is a “hard saying” as the the twelve would have said in their early years with Christ. What do we make of this commandment?
Did wars happen in the Old Testament with God backing up His people? Yes. This I understand. They were subjected to numerous laws to keep God’s commandments, but never really understood what God wanted from them. What did Christ say to us? “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Mt. 22:37-40)
I am also reminded of Christs’ words that night in Gethsemane; “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Mt. 26:52)” Then Jesus proceeded to heal Malchus’ ear.
There are many things that pure Love is not as His Word states.
Having said these things, I do understand that this is a very complex issue and by no means do I attempt to belittle such a serious thing (as I know there will probably be many who have or have had others involved in the defense of their own countries. May you have patience while the truth is discussed). However, what I understand from Christ is to be true is that we are not of this world, but in it. We are called apart from it as His children. As sheep (sheep do not and cannot defend themselves) in His flock. I do not remember the original apostles or any of the disciples, including church fathers, entering into battle. In fact, Rome persecuted many of the early Christians for not soldiering under Marcus Aurelius and other rulers. The emperor felt that “these atheists” (Christians) did not contribute to the stability of Rome by fighting in its legions.
Could I be wrong? Certainly. Am I open to correction? I believe that as an anti-Catholic protestant for many years, now defending the Roman Catholic faith, that I definitely am. Just as I sought for truth with an open heart and mind, by the grace of God, regarding the doctrines of the RCC, I look to uphold certain other traditions that I believe are truly important. The Truth is dear to my heart and without it I may as well be dust.
