At Pentagon Christmas Service, Franklin Graham Praises ‘God of War’ “We know that God loves. But did you know that God also hates?"

[essentialsaltes]

Typical Christmas sermon, I suppose.

Speaking at a “Christmas Worship Service” at the Pentagon on Wednesday (Dec. 17), evangelist Franklin Graham celebrated that God is not just a God of love but also of hate and war.

“We know that God loves. But did you know that God also hates? Do you know that God also is a God of war? Many people don’t want to think about that, or forget that,” he declared as he stood on stage near two Christmas trees with a nativity scene and a Hanukkah Menorah in front of them.

Graham briefly recounted a story in Exodus 17, where Joshua led the ancient Israelites in battle against the Amalekites as Moses stood on a mountain holding up his arms. Graham said that not only did they win the battle, but God remembered how the Amalekites had attacked the Israelites. So Graham then turned to 1 Samuel 15, where the prophet Samuel told King Saul to kill all the Amalekites.

"Don’t spare them, but kill them, both man and woman, infant, nursing child, ox, sheep, camel, and donkey.’ So Samuel gave the instructions for the mission. Now, people will say, ‘But, Franklin, that is so hard; that’s not the God I believe in.’ Well, you had better believe in him.”

As Graham notes, some Christians find the story of the genocide of the Amalekites a little difficult to wrestle with; but it seems the new breed of masculine Christianity that has arisen has elevated the story, proclaiming it openly as an example for the troops.

 

[Sif]

"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." - Questions sur les miracles (Questions on Miracles) by Voltaire

 

[camille70]

16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

 

[Richard T]

I hope Graham's sermon included the important part that you have to be on His side with a "just" cause. In many wars both sides invoke God's name as on their side. Could be too He is not involved in the conflict at all; just the devil stirring up trouble.
If I may say too that the war on drugs is not won fighting various nations. It is an individual's war, where freedom from addiction comes from God. I am not saying stopping traffickers will not help, but no nation can fully win the war on drugs.

 

[rjs330]

16 These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Yes God hates wickedness. That's why Gid also provided a sacrifice of his Son to save us all. Be cc cause we are all wicked and lost and can do nothing to save ourselves. For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

 

[BCP1928]

Yes God hates wickedness. That's why Gid also provided a sacrifice of his Son to save us all. Be cc cause we are all wicked and lost and can do nothing to save ourselves. For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

So let's be wicked while we can here below so we can get our revenge on those who think we are deplorable.

 

[durangodawood]

...."Don’t spare them, but kill them, both man and woman, infant, nursing child, ox, sheep, camel, and donkey.’ So Samuel gave the instructions for the mission. Now, people will say, ‘But, Franklin, that is so hard; that’s not the God I believe in.’ Well, you had better believe in him.”
.....

Perhaps its time to make killing non combatant children great again.

 

[BCP1928]

Perhaps its time to make killing non combatant children great again.

But will it assimilate into American culture?

 

[RileyG]

Perhaps its time to make killing non combatant children great again.

They say there’s a Bible verse that can justify anything to one’s own interpretation. I’m saying that as a Bible loving, faithful Christian.

 

[RileyG]

But will it assimilate into American culture?

No.

 

[rjs330]

So let's be wicked while we can here below so we can get our revenge on those who think we are deplorable.

Huh? That's a bit strange.

 

[BCP1928]

Huh? That's a bit strange.

Apparently, according to Graham, we get to hate our enemies.

 

[RileyG]

Yes God hates wickedness. That's why Gid also provided a sacrifice of his Son to save us all. Be cc cause we are all wicked and lost and can do nothing to save ourselves. For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

Amen, brother! Thankful for his sacrifice!

 

[Nithavela]

Merry Khornemas, everybody.

 

[Stopped_lurking]

Merry Khornemas, everybody.

Nerd! It have me a black humor chuckle.

 

[DaisyDay]

But will it assimilate into American culture?

"Fun size" targets - yep.

 

[Say it aint so]

Yes God hates wickedness. That's why Gid also provided a sacrifice of his Son to save us all. Be cc cause we are all wicked and lost and can do nothing to save ourselves. For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

Apparently back when the Israelites were doing God sanctioned animal blood sacrifices as atonement, the Amalekites didn't have the Jesus option since Jesus wasn't till 1,500 years later. Specially since the Amalekites and the Israelites came from the same Canaan people. It's not that God hated wickedness. It's that the God assigned to the Israelite hated the enemies they hated. Even the non combatant children.

 

[SarahsKnight]

So let's be wicked while we can here below so we can get our revenge on those who think we are deplorable.

That seems to be the mindset of people like Franklin Graham, honestly!

And I would encourage anyone who thinks similarly to give Fight! A Christian Case For Nonviolence by Preston Sprinkle an honest read.

 

[rjs330]

Apparently, according to Graham, we get to hate our enemies.

Did he say that?

 

[rjs330]

Apparently back when the Israelites were doing God sanctioned animal blood sacrifices as atonement, the Amalekites didn't have the Jesus option since Jesus wasn't till 1,500 years later. Specially since the Amalekites and the Israelites came from the same Canaan people. It's not that God hated wickedness. It's that the God assigned to the Israelite hated the enemies they hated. Even the non combatant children.

Yes sometimes it is hard to come to grips with the entirety of God. But interestingly enough God didn't shy away from that and allowed it to be written.

In New Covenant with Christ followers he hasn't asked us to do that and to love our enemies.

That certainly doesn't mean nations cannot defend themselves. Government is there to protect its people and war is a method whereby they do that.