Make me an Anabaptist :)

The key to answering violence with non-violence is realizing that this life is but a twinkle in the eye of eternity. If we stay focused on eternity, what happens to us in this life seems trivial. Also, it takes a serious dedication to following Jesus' commands.

so true ... so true!!

GorrionGris said:

I would like to take Jesus commands as you can, but I just cannot...

How could I answer the violent with non violence?

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The same way Jesus did

As I remember about the PA Amish School shootings, Anabaptist faith is grounded in the teachings of Jesus to love enemies, reject revenge, and leave vengeance in the hands of God. Meekness is one of the toughest attribute for a Christian because meekness submits himself or herself to God that so he or she becomes angry over things that offend God and not himself or herself.

There is a huge difference between defending self with violence and revenging with violence. Meekness is characteristic of a quiet spirit that doesn't retaliate when wronged.

Allowing God to handle things when when God is dishonored, that person with meekness and quiet spirit exercises spiritual power by allowing God to react when it ought to react, for the right reasons, and for the right length of time.

In an article of one newspaper stated that one of the fathers who lost a daughter in the schoolhouse said, "Forgiveness means giving up the right to revenge." The Anabaptists believe that God smiles on acts of grace that open doors for reconciliation.

Anabaptists have learned biblically that by recognizing that God is sovereign over all tribulations. Rather than losing ourselves in trying to discern for sure what or why things are happening. What more important in

Anabaptist faith is that we ask the deeper question: How am I to respond to it?

^nice job as usual~won't be long before you return from the clutches of calvinism

One of the things when I became calvinist (after being discipled amongst the mennonites) was that I thought this teaching of nonresistance would blend perfectly with the idea of the absolute sovereignty of God. After all, if God is in absolute control, to the point of appointing the chosen and the damned, then why do we get so excited about the nature of worldy conflict~why not simply be about the Father's work as Jesus commands? It would make more sense (in a way) to be nonresistant as a calvinist than an arminian, since arminians believe we have some sense of control of our destiny.

Now for the Dominion Theology folks, and any Post-Mill folks that might be out there I could understand their position if they are trying to take control of the world, but there aren't that many people out there.

<<i could take issue with the

There is a huge difference between defending self with violence and revenging with violence.

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but for now we'll take it a few steps at a time>>

Come back around again sometime~

MrJim said:

^nice job as usual~won't be long before you return from the clutches of calvinism

One of the things when I became calvinist (after being discipled amongst the mennonites) was that I thought this teaching of nonresistance would blend perfectly with the idea of the absolute sovereignty of God. After all, if God is in absolute control, to the point of appointing the chosen and the damned, then why do we get so excited about the nature of worldy conflict~why not simply be about the Father's work as Jesus commands? It would make more sense (in a way) to be nonresistant as a calvinist than an arminian, since arminians believe we have some sense of control of our destiny.

Now for the Dominion Theology folks, and any Post-Mill folks that might be out there I could understand their position if they are trying to take control of the world, but there aren't that many people out there.

<<i could take issue with the but for now we'll take it a few steps at a time>>

Come back around again sometime~

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Its scary that I understood your post and that I could have said it almost the same way. LOL

I know defending self with violence will be a tough one to sort out. In my Anabaptist years, we have had many discussions on this issue. Especially with those Anabatpist members who are police officers when they have to defend themselves while working on the streets.

MrJim said:

After all, if God is in absolute control, to the point of appointing the chosen and the damned, then why do we get so excited about the nature of worldy conflict~why not simply be about the Father's work as Jesus commands? It would make more sense (in a way) to be nonresistant as a calvinist than an arminian, since arminians believe we have some sense of control of our destiny.

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I love the way you said this. That actually make sense. The Anabaptist Church I was involved were mostly into Reformed Teachings. We had alot of Reformed teachers came in and spoke. One was J.I. Packer. Boy, did I enjoy his lecture.

JimfromOhio said:

I love the way you said this. That actually make sense. The Anabaptist Church I was involved were mostly into Reformed Teachings. We had alot of Reformed teachers came in and spoke. One was J.I. Packer. Boy, did I enjoy his lecture.

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Packer at a mennonite church, bet that was interesting~I was at a conference in Johnstown PA where he, Mike Horton, & John Gerstner Jr were speaking.

MrJim said:

Packer at a mennonite church, bet that was interesting~I was at a conference in Johnstown PA where he, Mike Horton, & John Gerstner Jr were speaking.

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Man, I would have enjoyed listening to them.