Please read post 350 and comment on the argument provided there - I do not think Jesus was supporting the use of the sword for self-defence.
In this we as Christians must agree to disagree. I read, but do not agree in your interpretation. Christ did not have to do anything of His own to incite the aggression against Him. It appears as you are saying He manipulated circumstances to fit prophecy. Human nature followed suit.
Friend, I agree... It seems we forget, or do not read "common sense" in the teachings of Jesus. He has always inspired His children to be Wise as serpents, but harmless as doves.What puzzles me is the idea that we're supposed to have faith in God rather than guns. That's the argument that's often made. It fails to address the idea of personal responsibility for ourselves and our family. Sometimes, the argument is extended to the idea that we shouldn't even have house insurance because if God wants to take our home and belongings, then we shouldn't be having a "backup plan" to override His will.
It makes me wonder how far we should take such logic. Should we go to a doctor when we get sick? Should be lock our doors at night? Would these things indicate a lack of trust in God to take care of us?
I've even been told that we shouldn't have a job to earn money either. They said that the money is the root of all (sorts of) evil, and if we spend 8 hours a day serving it by working for it, then we're ultimately servants of money rather than servants of God. I mentioned that a person has a life beyond those 8 hours each day. He replied, "So it's ok to just be a 'part-time Christian' while serving money full-time"?
Ya just can't win!
Friend, I agree... It seems we forget, or do not read "common sense" in the teachings of Jesus. He has always inspired His children to be Wise as serpents, but harmless as doves.What puzzles me is the idea that we're supposed to have faith in God rather than guns. That's the argument that's often made. It fails to address the idea of personal responsibility for ourselves and our family. Sometimes, the argument is extended to the idea that we shouldn't even have house insurance because if God wants to take our home and belongings, then we shouldn't be having a "backup plan" to override His will.
It makes me wonder how far we should take such logic. Should we go to a doctor when we get sick? Should be lock our doors at night? Would these things indicate a lack of trust in God to take care of us?
I've even been told that we shouldn't have a job to earn money either. They said that the money is the root of all (sorts of) evil, and if we spend 8 hours a day serving it by working for it, then we're ultimately servants of money rather than servants of God. I mentioned that a person has a life beyond those 8 hours each day. He replied, "So it's ok to just be a 'part-time Christian' while serving money full-time"?
Ya just can't win!
Friend, I agree... It seems we forget, or do not read "common sense" in the teachings of Jesus. He has always inspired His children to be Wise as serpents, but harmless as doves.What puzzles me is the idea that we're supposed to have faith in God rather than guns. That's the argument that's often made. It fails to address the idea of personal responsibility for ourselves and our family. Sometimes, the argument is extended to the idea that we shouldn't even have house insurance because if God wants to take our home and belongings, then we shouldn't be having a "backup plan" to override His will.
It makes me wonder how far we should take such logic. Should we go to a doctor when we get sick? Should be lock our doors at night? Would these things indicate a lack of trust in God to take care of us?
I've even been told that we shouldn't have a job to earn money either. They said that the money is the root of all (sorts of) evil, and if we spend 8 hours a day serving it by working for it, then we're ultimately servants of money rather than servants of God. I mentioned that a person has a life beyond those 8 hours each day. He replied, "So it's ok to just be a 'part-time Christian' while serving money full-time"?
Ya just can't win!
Jonathan was Old Testament which was written to Israel (yes yes I know it has not been done away with) but all I see in the NT written to the church.. to christians.. is to 'love your enemy'. The fear of disarming a population.. that was always my belief until recently when I have started questioning this. We are citizens of heaven and are to trust God so why would I worry about the political climate around me? Is not God in control? Does not the Bible say HE chooses rulers and sets up governments? I now think that Christianity has been mixed with politics and patriotism until Christ is no longer visible or important. And let me tell you, I have been a gun totin' red blooded american southerner all my life, so this is a big change in thinking for me.
Of course He had to do something. If Jesus never did and said things publically, He would never have gotten into trouble.
Indeed I am saying this. Why would this surprise you? If Jesus is who we all presumably believe He is (the second person of the Trinity) why would He not "manipulate" things - the Bible is chock full of God "manipulating" events in this world.
What? I trust you understand that long before the pilgrims arrived, Christianity had been entrenched for centuries in Western Europe. I have no idea where you are getting your history from.
Again, this appears to be speculation. Dozens of free advanced nations round the globe have lived gun-free for decades and never experienced tyranny. I suspect some will bring up Nazi Germany, but my preliminary research shows this particular example does not really work in favour of your position.
I don't quite follow your argument here. I submit that the Scriptures teach that Jesus is indeed a "this-worldly" king who replaces Caesar and all other putative earthly kings. Many people get confused by the "not of this world" language. I can get into the details if need be, but a more accurate translation is "not from this world". Jesus is indeed a real king and it is decidedly suspicious that so many Christians collaborate with efforts to boot Jesus from His rightful place as a real King with real authority and closet Him off as a King merely over some mysterious realm of interior spirituality.
