Culture, judgment, peace, and war are topics, today, along with more on whether those serving in certain roles should also use firearms. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Cody” (Level 4 with 2,786 points, a member since July 18, 2010) posted the following:
Christianity: Peaceful religion or culture of war?
A lot of people will misunderstand what I'm trying to say because of mistranslation, their own biases, and because of their perception overall. christianity Isn't the religion of peace that people make it out to be. And Jesus wasn't an entirely divine and passive, caring person. He was actually a lot like the Israelis and Egyptians and reflected their culture.
And [Jesus] made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables
"I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence."
"I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division"
Update 1: @Simple Jack:
The 1st one still doesn't make Jesus any less violent. He whipped them and when psycho.
The 2nd one is not part of the parable. He said that after having finished the parable.
The 3rd one says he wants war against those who don't believe.
THE BATTLE AXE: Needing Guns To Serve? (03/19/2014)—4. Justification. All believers accept that they must appear before Christ in judgment, and that no created beings and living creatures are justified before GOD on the basis of their deeds that proceed from their animal nature, intellect, material conditions (we say, circumstances) or physical characteristics. By acknowledgement of their own divine content from GOD, believers are accounted as justified through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Saying this another way, atonement (the application of holy blood that carries life essence) has been made for their errors and sins through the life and death of Jesus. Believers are justified only as we acknowledge, further, and repeat the deeds of Jesus. 5. Sanctification. To be cleansed and set apart for divine service is called sanctification. Certainly, believers are set apart by their spirit content, and the sacred knowledge that should fill their awareness. However, a believer is also distinguished by their attitudes, behavior, conduct, expectations (we say, hope), and life choices while still upon the earth, and pursuing the various aspects of human experience. 6. Weapons. Guns are tools that sometimes must be used like pliers, screwdrivers, and wrenches. Ones setting, and the tasks they must perform can dictate the tools that must be brought to work, and are necessary to accomplish ones purpose, so to speak. Courage and defense against brutality, cruelty, ignorance, and physical aggression may appear to be called for at the same time as compassion, forgiveness, and medical assistance. To avoid inaction, hesitation, and paralysis through conflict, as much as possible, such decisions ought to be made beforehand. 7. Martyrdom. Christian believers are not asked to die for Jesus, or for Almighty GOD. Rather, it is the duty of believers to continue in the earth as living sacrifices to GOD. When persecuted (i.e., systematically attacked and suppressed through the combined action of government and religious organizations) the believer need make no violent defense of life and property. As joint heirs with Christ, believers surrender their lives to GOD, not to any created being or living creature who threatens as an enemy. 8. Intercession not Intervention. Given their fresh endowment of divine spirit, all believers are equipped to perform intercession, where they may not be prepared, or supplied to intervene. Interventions may require authority, money, and a network of supporters that does not exist for the believer. Thus, believers could “beat up” those committing abuse of their spouse, however, violence begets only more violence. The need is for changes of spirit, awareness, and self-will that may be provided only by GOD. 9. Two Masters. Believers must make their choices and decisions in such as way as to minimize conflict and confusion for themselves as well as for others. Commitment to the military must be a total acceptance of duty, policy, procedures, and standards based upon trust (i.e., emotional, intellectual, and psychological understandings). Once submitted to military authority—like it, don’t like—one is obligated to conform, cooperate, and obey. Similarly, believers must accept baptism (death of ones inborn nature, and rebirth having the divine nature) that is followed by continuous growth, obedience of divine law, and constant sacred practice. Those making such choice should know the various “limitations” they are taking upon themselves before their contract and covenant is sealed.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped. And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O LORD, let my LORD, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee. Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: (Exodus 34: 5-14, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Scriptures and Judging Others (03/12/2014); Faith Given By GOD (03/13/2014); Bible Justice? (01/26/2014); GOD Inhabits Praise (01/27/2014); Lawful Revenge? (01/02/2014); As GOD Loves Us? (01/03/2014); Understanding Peace? (11/20/2013); Adversary or Servant? (11/21/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013); “Authorized Personnel Only” (03/13/2013)
“Cody”, yours is a big question that takes a big answer. What you have written is clear enough, however, it misses the mark for productive spiritual faith, and Christian belief. Like divine love, the peace of GOD may not be understood using the terms of carnal experience. Here are a few points to consider:
(1.) The Kingdom of GOD is not a cultural, geopolitical, intellectual or social sphere. The kingdom is a pattern within the spirit matter of created beings and living creatures. Through the ministry of Jesus Christ as Risen Lord, believers receive a fresh endowment of the same Spirit that was imparted to Adam as the “breath of life.” Believers receive inseparable aspects of divinity that include such sacred spirit substance as faith, holiness, righteousness, truth, wisdom, and wrath against sin.
(2.) Christianity acknowledges a “god of judgment.” Therefore, divine law, correction, mercy, punishment, and reward are recurring themes. Focus for the judgment of GOD is not merely upon bad attitudes, naughty behavior, and unsavory conduct. The living are examined for their expressions of the divine nature, and the possibility of their permanent and continuing value as “life companions” of Christ.
There is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (3.) Death is GOD’s tool, however, life is GOD’s intent. The divine use of death pertains to completion of mortality, purification, rebirth, and the renewal of spirit matter damaged through the operations of sin. Sin is no material or physical thing a person can hold in their hand, nor is sin spirit matter put forth by GOD. Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, Sacred Person, and all Creation. Yet sin may dominate awareness and self-will in the living. Death allows resurrection, that does not eliminate sin, yet, permits operations to establish immortality, incorruptibility, and all the other elements of eternal life.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (2nd Timothy 2: 3-5, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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