----- Original Message -----
Sent: June 27, 2004 17:03
Subject: [TruthTalk] Christians and
Violence
From: "Wm. Taylor" <
[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
jt: The devil ... has on occasion controlled men in positions of
authority. Hitler is one example and the Jews pacifistic response to him cost
them a lot of lives.
I wonder how many Jewish lives pacifism would have cost if every
Christian in Germany would have taken Paul's words seriously and refused to
fight in Hitler's army? Maybe when Paul said to Christians, "The weapons we
fight with are not the weapons of the world," he meant it. No, Judy, it was
Christian militancy that cost the Jews "a lot of lives." Bill
jt: This would undoubtedly depend on how one defines
the word "Christian" - which definition in the case of Germany of the 1930's
could never have included the "fruit of the Spirit"; the country was primarily
RC and Lutheran both of which "hated" the Jews. Only one kind of hatred
has a part in the Kingdom of God which is "hatred of evil"
judyt
From: Judy Taylor
To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 7:02 AM
Subject: [TruthTalk] Christians
and Violence
It's not a viable option in the spiritual warfare. Do you have any
examples of how it has helped in the world at large?
The devil is pleased
when we make our backs a broad road for him to walk on and he has on occasion
controlled men in positions of authority. Hitler is one example and the
Jews pacifistic response to him cost them a lot of lives. jt
[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Judy:Pacifissism
is a viable option.
From: Judy Taylor
Terry writes:
Still, the real
question has not been addressed. We know what happens when the Lord
returns, but what do we do until then? Do we take our place and kill the
enemy if that is what our government decides is right, or do we love our enemy
and turn the other cheek? Does it make any difference if we are the
agressor or if we act in self defense? Can we live to please God and
men? Terry
jt: We judge sin in ourselves and repent of it daily which is the process
of sanctification and this will eventually purify our whole being, spirit,
soul, and body. There were many, many Christians in the Navy while we
were there, in fact, without the example of their godly behavior I might never
have chosen to return. If our country had gone to war during those years
we would have been involved. So long as we are not the aggressor I don't
believe it wrong for our leaders to defend us. As for Iraq, I know there
are those who do not agree but I see it as part of the "war on Terror" a war
that still rages.
There are Christian police officers who may some day have
to shoot and prison guards who are also Christian. I've done temporary work
and have been able to discern believers by their conduct in every place I've
been sent to. They are not the majority but they are there as works in
progress and this, IMO, is the way God would have it because these are His
ambassadors. Just ordinary every day people. I don't think a true
believer chooses violence but a man should defend his family and a decent
leader defends his people.
Grace and Peace,
Judy