Dan Minette wrote:
Jesus calls us to be peace-makers, not dividers of the world into "good" nations and "evil-doers."
But, here is the question that has faced Christians for ~1600 years. It is
acceptable to fight to protect innocents?
I don't think that's the question at hand, although it's a fine question, one that belongs in every consideration of use of force.
Aside from the fact that the war in Iraq has nothing to do with 9/11, the question today, as I see it, is whether we end terrorism by imagining that we can "wipe our evil-doers" or shall we agree with Jim Wallis that unless we "drain the swamps of injustice in which the mosquitoes of terrorism breed, we will never overcome the terrorist threat."
I don't hear God calling on me to wipe out evil-doers, but I certainly hear a call to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly!
The beginning of Psalm 37, where the word "evil-doers" shows up:
1 [1] Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD ; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Nick
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