Ahhh... there is my brother in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with a heart like God's!
At 11:45 AM 1/5/01 -0800, Duane Wheeler wrote:
>*Brother MPJ-
>
>When matters of import, like "pastoral authority" arise...
>I am out classed, and admitidly ignorant of full
>biblical reasoning.
Keep reading and thinking about the Bible, and this, too, will get easier for you.
>To assume that I made an "off the cuff" remark is
>correct, and tho I don't fully understand or perhaps
>aggree in my *head... I do so want my heart to be right
>with the Lord.
>
>*Please advise me if an appoligy is needed to anyone,
>and guide me to understand the gulf between where i am,
>and where I should be... I do see a 'distance.
I think you just did what was right in that regard.
>I might find the only fully "moral" position to be-
>
>"Natrual conception to natural death and concious objection to
>armed war and capital punishment"
I'll agree with you on the sanctity of life from conception to natural death part. As
for the war and capital punishment, I may backpedal a bit and conclude that there is a
lot of complexity to the subject, and many Christians disagree on some of the details.
Like you, I did serve in the U. S. Navy, and I don't think I could credibly claim that
all military activity is wrong. On the other hand, there are some cases where war is
wrong. For example, I believe it was wrong for Iraq to invade Kuwait. If I were in the
Iraqi army at that time, I would have been a C. O. As for capital punishment, since
God Himself commanded it through Moses in the old testament for premeditated murder
and certain other very serious crimes, I don't condemn those who promote it, provided
that the guilt of the accused murderer is proved beyond the shadow of a doubt. I don't
think I could carry out an execution, though.
>*Obviously, I've broke that code with my flesh,mind and hands
>and have shaky claim such moral high ground<G> ....meaning
>I've war'd and don't intend to pawn my gun locker<G> I might
>even be too liberal for the fellowship ..as every time
>GW speaks I cringe<G> Like I've hinted, my vote for Bush
>was based on good faith with Sen.John McCain.
>
>He ain't pro-choice is he?
No, Senator McCain is pro-life, too. He also served in the military. I believe he did
well in throwing his support to George W. Bush when it became clear that he wouldn't
make it to the White House, himself. Be that as it may, the election, count, re-count,
appeals, and re-re-counts are over, and we have a president-elect to pray for, just
like we have a president to pray for. Our civic obligation as Christians doesn't end
at the ballot box or even at our national borders. We have a duty not only to vote for
righteous candidates and issues, but to support those who hold office and are moving
into office with prayer -- no matter which way we voted and no matter if we had to
hold our nose while we voted.
I'm sure our brothers and sisters outside of the USA are a bit tired of hearing our
political debates, but I think that we should take some time to commit to prayer for
our leaders and their leaders.
Father in Heaven, we thank you for freedom -- freedom in Christ, freedom to worship
you, and freedom to serve you openly. We pray that you would grant wisdom and godly
counsel to our leaders in this country and in every nation. Let your Gospel go forth
unhindered. Thank you also for my brothers and sisters on Rangernet. Amen.
___
Michael Paul Johnson AKA Soaring Golden Eagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Evangel Bible Translators missionary
http://eBible.org/mpj/ Jesus Christ is Lord!
_______
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