Is There Such A Thing As A Just War?

[blackbird]

Life expectancy has nothing to do with just wars

Lets stay on subject------that being "Just wars"---is there such a thing??

Blackbird
Moderator

 

[OldRegular]

Almost 50M people in America don't have health insurance.

“Lack of health insurance causes roughly 18,000 unnecessary deaths every year in the United States. Although America leads the world in spending on health care, it is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not ensure that all citizens have coverage.” —Institute of Medicine

Off topic I realize but for JC's benefit 50,000,000 babies didn't have health insurance either. Furthermore as it relates to the topic that is approximately the same as the total number of deaths related to WWII, a just war.

 

[DHK]

Off topic I realize but for JC's benefit and all abortion supporters on this Forum 50,000,000 babies didn't have health insurance either. Furthermore as it relates to the topic that is approximately the same as the total number of deaths related to WWII, a just war.

If it is off the topic, don't post it, as per Blackbird's warning.
It it is for "JC's benefit" as you say, then it is a personal attack. Take it up with him through pm's and not publicly.

 

[Don]

Those that utilize "Peter put away his sword" as justification to say "no war"--how is this reconciled with the fact that the account recorded in Luke says that He told them to buy swords, and they told Him they had two, and He said they would be enough?

 

[JustChristian]

Those that utilize "Peter put away his sword" as justification to say "no war"--how is this reconciled with the fact that the account recorded in Luke says that He told them to buy swords, and they told Him they had two, and He said they would be enough?

IU believe trhat if you look at the overall message of Jesus Christ war was simply not a part of his message. Jesus' message was love.

 

[Revmitchell]

IU believe trhat if you look at the overall message of Jesus Christ war was simply not a part of his message. Jesus' message was love.

Now why don't you deal with the actual passage Luke 22:38

 

[Marcia]

Life expectancy has nothing to do with just wars

Lets stay on subject------that being "Just wars"---is there such a thing??

Blackbird
Moderator

Thanks, Blackbird! I was offline a few days and see the thread got off-topic!

I'm still struggling with the question - I tend to think there is no just war outside of the wars God commanded in the OT and wars that are strictly self-defense.

 

[Don]

I also put this to you: John 15:13, and Romans 15:1.

I can't find in scripture where we are not to help those who can't help themselves.

 

[Marcia]

I also put this to you: John 15:13, and Romans 15:1.

I can't find in scripture where we are not to help those who can't help themselves.

I don't think the context of either passage is war! I see no justification for war in these 2 verses or passages.

 

[JustChristian]

Now why don't you deal with the actual passage Luke 22:38

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Could anything be clearer about Christianity?

 

[Don]

I don't think the context of either passage is war! I see no justification for war in these 2 verses or passages.

The principle of the passages is love for your brethren and neighbors. If your family is threatened, do you simply stand by and watch them be slaughtered? If your neighbor is oppressed, do you simply stand by and let them be enslaved?

If I agree with my more liberal Christian brethren on this board, then I agree we should all be part of global community. So if one of my "global brethren" is made war upon by someone who doesn't agree with us, what is my responsibility then? Should I not love my "global brethren" enough to lay down my own life for them? If I'm stronger than they are, should I not take care of my weaker brother?

Thus, the application of these two verses.

(edited for clarity)

 

[Don]

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Could anything be clearer about Christianity?

You're avoiding the verses already given to you. The same saviour who made these statements you've quoted, also said, "he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

 

[Revmitchell]

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Could anything be clearer about Christianity?

Deal with the passage or can you?

 

[Don]

Something else for y'all to think about: When Christ was asked about paying taxes, He said give unto Caesar what is Caesar's; in effect, yes, pay your taxes ... the very same taxes that paid the Roman soldiers who were persecuting the Christians.

 

[JustChristian]

Deal with the passage or can you?

I don't believe that passage is representative of Jesus' ministry do you? I think the verses I quoted are representative of His message. If you want to portray Christ as the god of war go ahead. I worship Him as the Prince of Peace.

How do you explain my scripture?

 

[Don]

I don't believe that passage is representative of Jesus' ministry do you? I think the verses I quoted are representative of His message. If you want to portray Christ as the god of war go ahead. I worship Him as the Prince of Peace.

How do you explain my scripture?

So if you don't like what the Bible says, you just ignore those parts?

 

[Revmitchell]

I don't believe that passage is representative of Jesus' ministry do you? I think the verses I quoted are representative of His message. If you want to portray Christ as the god of war go ahead. I worship Him as the Prince of Peace.

How do you explain my scripture?

What is it representative of?

 

[Marcia]

The principle of the passages is love for your brethren and neighbors. If your family is threatened, do you simply stand by and watch them be slaughtered? If your neighbor is oppressed, do you simply stand by and let them be enslaved?

If I agree with my more liberal Christian brethren on this board, then I agree we should all be part of global community. So if one of my "global brethren" is made war upon by someone who doesn't agree with us, what is my responsibility then? Should I not love my "global brethren" enough to lay down my own life for them? If I'm stronger than they are, should I not take care of my weaker brother?

Thus, the application of these two verses.

But if this is the case, then we would always be at war because some country, tribe, or people somewhere is always being attacked by a stronger country/tribe/people.

Why are we not then fighting in Africa where many people are being attacked? I just read about people being killed fleeing the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka. Why are we not there, defending them??

 

[Don]

That's a question for our government. And it's a good one.

 

[Marcia]

That's a question for our government. And it's a good one.

But the question for this thread is: Is there such a thing as a just war? Ideally, there would be biblical support for this.

Based on what you have said, I assume you are saying that yes, there is a case for a just war if we are defending another country that is being militarily attacked. Am I correct?

If so, how about if they were not being attacked but were oppressed by a brutal dictator? Would it be a case for just war to go over and free them with military forces?