Should Christians take up arms ?

[JM]

That is their political world. We don't belong to that kind of a kingdom.

We are called to be salt and light...not jump ship.

 

[Righttruth]

Romans 13.1 tells us to be subject to those in authority...that would mean if you're drafted to the army you must go...or is it optional?

A Christian has no option but to refuse drafting. Cassius Clay who became Mohammed Ali went to jail refusing that. A professed Christian should do better than that!

 

[Righttruth]

We are called to be salt and light...not jump ship.

Right. But not by becoming turncoats and sycophant for gain!

 

[Bluelion]

98 Jesus said turn the other cheek and that is what he meant he showed that by His life, He tells us to flee instead of fight, and to love each other as He loves us. But Love always protects. I think there are cases when you need to protect your loved ones and I think there are times when you need to protect your self as Jesus said Go and buy a sword when He was leaving His disciples. There are times to turn the other cheek like I did when a guy was battling a demon I could see in his eyes he did not want to hit me but he did. I just walked away. Other times I have blocked and fought back when two guys tried to stab me in my eyes. Had I not fought back I would now be blind. As Jesus says there is a time and place for everything. No matter what the time if we must fight back we must always have mercy also. The heart of the Lord is mercy. Often when I have been force to fight back I hit the guy or guys once knocking them out, the threat was gone so I stopped, I did not kick them on the ground or keep on beating them I only used enough force to keep my self safe. So if you have a gun and guy comes at you can you just shoot him in the leg? If he has a weapon, shoot in the arm? Of course if he has a gun its him or you. Just my two cents

 

[Righttruth]

98 Jesus said turn the other cheek and that is what he meant he showed that by His life, He tells us to flee instead of fight, and to love each other as He loves us. But Love always protects. I think there are cases when you need to protect your loved ones and I think there are times when you need to protect your self as Jesus said Go and buy a sword when He was leaving His disciples. There are times to turn the other cheek like I did when a guy was battling a demon I could see in his eyes he did not want to hit me but he did. I just walked away. Other times I have blocked and fought back when two guys tried to stab me in my eyes. Had I not fought back I would now be blind. As Jesus says there is a time and place for everything. No matter what the time if we must fight back we must always have mercy also. The heart of the Lord is mercy. Often when I have been force to fight back I hit the guy or guys once knocking them out, the threat was gone so I stopped, I did not kick them on the ground or keep on beating them I only used enough force to keep my self safe. So if you have a gun and guy comes at you can you just shoot him in the leg? If he has a weapon, shoot in the arm? Of course if he has a gun its him or you. Just my two cents

Such weak and hostile responses will be understood by our merciful Savior. But there is no question of defending that as the right way! A believer in Christ has no rights; he is simply a servant of the Lord defending His Gospel.

 

[Bluelion]

Such weak and hostile responses will be understood by our merciful Savior. But there is no question of defending that as the right way! A believer in Christ has no rights; he is simply a servant of the Lord defending His Gospel.

?

The Lord does not need us to defend Him, He protect us.

 

[Righttruth]

?

The Lord does not need us to defend Him, He protect us.

Correct. If you believed in His protection, you don't need weapons. That is our witnessing of courage and conviction.

 

[Bluelion]

Correct. If you believed in His protection, you don't need weapons. That is our witnessing of courage and conviction.

then why did God say go buy a sword, why did king David carry a weapon. Why did Israel gain the land God gave them by war? Seems your a bit off with your thinking.

 

[Righttruth]

then why did God say go buy a sword, why did king David carry a weapon. Why did Israel gain the land God gave them by war? Seems your a bit off with your thinking.

He wanted to be betrayed among people carrying sword because they are classified as transgressors of His law of love. David's is bygone era, not applicable for the dawn of grace so also OT standards.

 

[mikedsjr]

Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’

This verse, nor the context, proves taking arms is a rransgression

 

[mikedsjr]

A Christian has no option but to refuse drafting. Cassius Clay who became Mohammed Ali went to jail refusing that. A professed Christian should do better than that!

By what Scriptural support?

 

[mikedsjr]

Luke 22:37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’

Your creating a LAW out of a descriptive text, not a prescriptive text. Nothing says having, carrying or using a weapon is condemned, from a prescriptive text. When God told the Israelites to kill all those in the land of Canaan, that was an act of love and justice. When Christ comes back he will be carrying a greater weapon than the Ex Calibre. What you propose is its love to watch your neighbor die at the hands of Isis or the Natzis, instead of killing those murderers. That's not loving. That's weak minded.

 

[counJS]

That is OT stuff. Samuel Johnson said, "Patriotism is the last resort of a scoundrel!" I believe in that!

Actually the passage I was mainly thinking about in praying for and obeying the government is Romans 13:1-7

 

[JM]

A Christian has no option but to refuse drafting. Cassius Clay who became Mohammed Ali went to jail refusing that. A professed Christian should do better than that!

Blah. What in the world are you talking about? If someone walked into your house and placed a knife to the throat of a loved one you'd just say, "I have no right to defend my loved one...go for it?" Cassius Clay will burn in hell for his denial of Jesus Christ, same with Gandhi, so please don't give me examples of pagans performing works for their salvation as if Christians are called to do the same.

jm

 

[Righttruth]

This verse, nor the context, proves taking arms is a rransgression

Excuse me, you are wrong in spelling and in understanding!

 

[Righttruth]

Blah. What in the world are you talking about? If someone walked into your house and placed a knife to the throat of a loved one you'd just say, "I have no right to defend my loved one...go for it?" Cassius Clay will burn in hell for his denial of Jesus Christ, same with Gandhi, so please don't give me examples of pagans performing works for their salvation as if Christians are called to do the same.

jm

Looks like Christians have more self-claims than of other people! And also too many suppositions!

 

[Righttruth]

By what Scriptural support?

Love your enemies. Please read completely the Sermon on the Mount.

 

[Righttruth]

Actually the passage I was mainly thinking about in praying for and obeying the government is Romans 13:1-7

Yes, in a limited sense as long as one doesn't contradict the Gospel.

 

[Righttruth]

Your creating a LAW out of a descriptive text, not a prescriptive text. Nothing says having, carrying or using a weapon is condemned, from a prescriptive text. When God told the Israelites to kill all those in the land of Canaan, that was an act of love and justice. When Christ comes back he will be carrying a greater weapon than the Ex Calibre. What you propose is its love to watch your neighbor die at the hands of Isis or the Natzis, instead of killing those murderers. That's not loving. That's weak minded.

That contradicts the Sermon on the Mount.

 

[98cwitr]

Why is there a consistently higher value on physical life, rather than spiritual life?

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.