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NASB | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21, 22] |
Bible Question:
There is killing in time of war, but are we to be the killers (we meaning Christians) or are we meant to be the healers? Eccl. 3 v3 There is a time to kill and a time to HEAL. Surely we must follow Christs example in this and not hit back at those who attack us. Eph. 6v12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against rulers , against the authorities, against the spiritual forcesof evil in the heavenly realms. Eph.6v15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Let us make sure that we are following the way that Christ has set for us and that we don't get caught up in the battles of this world. God bless and grant you his peace. Amen |
Bible Answer: Dear John, This has been much discussed on the forum. The Bible does not teach pacifism. Cellus, an early church father, stated, "If all men were to do the same as you [pacifistic], there would be nothing to prevent the king from being left in utter solitude and desertion and the force of the Empire would fall into the hands of the wildest and most lawless barbarians." God does not call us to live in lawlessness. Later, a thorough Biblical study of the subject was rendered by Augustine. This is called the Just War doctrine. Augustine, rediscovered by the Reformers, has had a great influence on the notion in America of which kind of wars are justified and which are not. He wrote, "The just war is to be fought under the authority of the state, and is to limit its goals to the restoration of justice or the preservation of peace. Moreover, the just war... in order to be just... must be a last resort, entered into only after all methods of solving disputes non-violently have been exhausted. Further, the just war must be fought justly, that is, with special care taken to protect non-combatants, and with the level of violence strictly limited to the minimum necessary to accomplish the goal of justice, that is, the restoration of peace or the preservation of justice." The "jus in bello" (justice in war) doctrine comprises seven specific considerations: competent authority, probability of success, last resort, just intent, just cause, proportionality, and discriminant means. We could spend a long time drawing all these things out of Scripture and discussing them. Let me suggest, however, that your pacifistic assertions dishonor the brave men and women who participate in this forum who have placed their lives in jeopardy so that we might have the freedom of such a forum. Consequently, it is inherently divisive. Therefore, in keeping with the agreement that we signed in creating our screen names, and clearly demonstrating the Holy Spirit's work in our lives, why don't we simply drop it? Thank you! In Him, Doc |