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NASB | John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 18:36 Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world [nor does it have its origin in this world]. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would be fighting [hard] to keep Me from being handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this world." |
Subject: Is war biblical? |
Bible Note: Yeah Doc, I agree that the questions posed are tough. The Romans passage was written to Christians who were going to be put to death by the Roman government. Paul knew he was proscribing obedience to an evil government, the context is clear to obey it anyway. There are other passages that tell the Christians they are called to suffering in general and specifically for Christ. Paul even said to the Romans, if he had done anything worthy of death, he would be willing to die in another passage. This Romans passage seems to be talking about internal government inside the rulership of an empire, not external government response to an opposing government. The OT is ripe with God commanding war for His own holy purposes and they were all commended for their faith in war acts. There is the concept of caring for the oppressed and standing up for the causes of the oppressed in the OT, which I have heard applied to this theory on "just war", but which the scriptures used said nothing of war. Then to complicate things one has to consider how much suffering under and unjust government is enough? Should we suffer extensively only if it is for the gospel, but not for other reasons as Christians and when do we stop turning the other cheek and for what reasons? A big problem with no "just war" would be Hitler and his program of utter world domination and destruction in which, contrary to popular belief as many or more Christians than Jews(if you believe the like of the historical forays of R.C.Sproul and one other theologian whose name I can't remember) were killed and the rest of the world's inferior were to follow. Scripture does give us a clear answer to suffer under an evil regime localy, but does not give us a clue what to do outside our borders. I am gratefull for what you presented as an answer though. Agape, Tamara |