The Christian 'No' to War

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-dear/the-christian-no-to-war_b_3929639.html

John Dear
Christian peace activist, author of 'Lazarus, Come Forth!' and 'A Persistent Peace.
Posted: 09/15/2013 7:08 am

One day, when Jesus was marching toward Jerusalem, some of the hated enemy Samaritans denounced him for his nonviolent campaign. The disciples were furious, appalled, filled with moral indignation. They suddenly forgot his lofty talk -- "Love your enemies," "Offer no violent resistance to one who does evil," "Blessed are the peacemakers." They were ready for war. And they had a just cause.

"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" James and John asked Jesus. It is one of most shocking questions in the Gospels, one of the most blatant examples of their complete misunderstanding of Jesus.

They wanted to emulate the prophet Elijah who called down hell fire from the skies and killed his enemies. They didn't yet understand that Jesus offers an entirely new way of life, where peaceful means lead to peaceful ends. They remain clueless about life in the footsteps of the nonviolent Jesus.

We're not much different from them.

more at link

[trotsky]

1. That's great, but the problem with basing a political position on one's reading of a holy book...

is that someone else is just as justified in picking other verses for theirs.

No violence?

Luke 19:27 - "But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."

Before anyone sputters "PARABLE!", please first answer this question: The king who says those words - who does he represent?

[hrmjustin]

2. I tend to agree. There are so many verses that can be used for so many things.

We have a constitution and we are thankful for that. There are many verses in holy books that we can all agree with but there are other verses that not only scare us but that hurt humanity in so many ways. We get our values from many sources but this government must always be secular.

[el_bryanto]

5. I'd agree with that

The Bible and other holy books may be great at helping one live a life getting closer to God, but they are bad guides in governing. The Prince is probably stronger ground.

It is as if you went to a biblical plumber and while looking at your pipes he pulled out the good book for reference in how to fix your pipes. It would be as odd as if your preacher got up and started reading the "1/2 in. CF x 3/4 in. MPT - Poly-Alloy CrimpRing™ x MPT Adapter" manual.

I think the problem is that running a government is one of those subjects (like film making or american history) that everybody assumes they are already an expert on. We have a whole board right here full of people who think they know how to run a government successfully (fortunately for us all, I actually do know how to run a government successfully and I'm here to share my wisdom with you all).

I am a believer and I do love the Bible; I've found it very helpful in forging a better relationship with God, in becoming a better person (although it's not the only way to become a better person it works for me) and in understanding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; that's what the Bible is for, in my mind. That's what it's good at. It's not good at, on the other hand, telling me how to run a nation.

Bryant

[AtheistCrusader]

3. Out of curiousity, why did James and John think they COULD call down fire from heaven?

Two fishermen, become apostles... did they have super powers the bible does not mention?

[dimbear]

4. Love Bible verse time:

Matthew 10:34 NIV

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

Attributed to.........Jesus.

Luke 12:49

“I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!"
Attributed to ........Jesus.