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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Reformer Joe | 35997 | ||
Dear Forum: On Wednesday nights at our church we have been studying the Beatitudes, and we just examined the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." --Matthew 5:9. We also see in other places in Scripture which highlight peace: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." --John 14:27 "For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" --Romans 8:6 "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." --Romans 12:18 The book 1 Peter also has a great deal to say about promoting peace in the midst of adversity. Now we come to verses like the one I cited as the reference for this question. The Prince of Peace Himself says that He came not to bring peace, but division. The parallel passage in Matthew 10:24 uses the word "sword" in place of division. We can also see that the very preaching of Jesus did nothing to promote peace with the Pharisees. The preaching of the gospel in Acts helped the apostles find their way to a jail cell and to martyrdom. We even see in more recent church history how the Protestant Reformation, in recovering the true gospel of Christ has led to all kinds of horrendous acts. Some in our nation today even tell us that peace can only be attained if we never talk about religion, because it is a "private thing" that only creates trouble. The proclamation of biblical Christianity is primarily the "culprit" of such divisiveness. So, let's dwell on this a while: how can we be both promoters of peace and present a gospel which has always served to divide people (as indeed Jesus Christ claimed to do)? --Joe! |
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2 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Brian.g | 36015 | ||
Joe I believe that the passages you have quoted may be taken out of context. For example, in your reference passage (Luke 12:51), when read in full context (even with adding only two additional verses, Luke 12:49-50), we see that Jesus is referring to His message of salvation being proclaimed to the entire world, and the seperation will be those who accept Jesus' message versus will not accept Jesus' message. And, that the division will be felt even within a household. Then, in Romans 12:18, Paul is speaking to the select group of people who have accepted Christ's message (Christians) and our duty of living our lives as Christians. Read Romans 12:1 - 15:13 to gain the full meaning. John 14:27 is a touch different. Here Joe, a single word is taken out of context. Peace, in this case, can be replaced with the phrase, "gift of salvation" Paraphrased - My "gift of salvation" I leave with you. My "gift of salvation" I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. Remember, John 14:27, is from Jesus' Passion, in which He is preparing to be crucified. So, your last sentence, "How can we be both promoters of peace and present a gospel which has always served to divide people (as indeed Jesus Christ claimed to do) is wrong. The purpose of the Bible is: 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; And, read in proper context: paraphrased: All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching (in righteousness), for reproof (in righteousness), for correction (in righteousness), for training in righteousness. Brian |
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3 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Reformer Joe | 36029 | ||
I understand the context of the passages in question, Brian. I think that you have too quickly dismissed (or misunderstood) my point. For example, Jesus is indeed referring to the bringing of the gospel and how it will cause division, even within families. And Jesus is the one bringing this division, in His own words. You are also right about the context of Romans 12:18, but this particular verse is still talking about living with peace with all men as far as it depends on you. Please support your statement that one can replace "peace" in John 14:27 with "gift of salvation." You write: 'So, your last sentence, "How can we be both promoters of peace and present a gospel which has always served to divide people (as indeed Jesus Christ claimed to do) is wrong.' Actually, this was a question, not a sentence. I want the members of the forum to explore these passages with me to see if we can come to consensus on how we are to be peacemakers among men and at the same time proclaim a divisive gospel to men. Of course there is a biblical reconciliation of these two commands, but I think that it is important to highlight this in an age where people go to one extreme (using the gospel as some would use a machine gun) or the other (saying that we should not proclaim the gospel at all because it causes "unnecessary" division and strife). --Joe! |
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4 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Searcher56 | 36033 | ||
Joe, unless we have peace between ourselves and God, any other peace is temporal. We need to tell others that, too. We do not like to be at peace with God, because that means we give up our rights to battle Him. He already gave up His (Son's) life for His part. Now we need to give up our own. Searcher |
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5 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Reformer Joe | 36036 | ||
I agree with what you say here, but that is not the question I am considering. | ||||||
6 | Are we bringers of peace or division? | Luke 12:51 | Searcher56 | 36048 | ||
Joe, You asked "So, let's dwell on this a while: how can we be both promoters of peace and present a gospel which has always served to divide people (as indeed Jesus Christ claimed to do)?" By promoting peace between ourselves and God ... we do bring division. Either people will want peace with God, others will not. Am I misunderstanding your question? S |
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