Self defense and security teams?

[John of Japan]

We are all missionaries in somebody else's territory.

Having been a cross cultural missionary for decades, I'm somewhat jealous of the term. I know pastors say, "You are all missionaries," and sometimes there is a sign over the door as you leave the church, "You are now entering the mission field." However, if everyone is a missionary, the word loses its meaning. (No offense meant, just informing.)

What the missionaries to the Aucas did and died for was far beyond what the typical witness for Christ in a "civilized" country ever dreams of. In our last couple of years in Japan I saw three yakuza (Japanese mafia) come to Christ. One day I asked one, "Do you think the godfather might come to visit me?" He said, "He might." (He didn't. )

But I get the arguments.

I am not trying to change anybody mind, nor am I defending my opinion (I am simply stating it).

The priesthood of the believer grants you this. (I just taught that doctrine to a couple of men at my Sunday School table.)

 

[JonC]

Having been a cross cultural missionary for decades, I'm somewhat jealous of the term. I know pastors say, "You are all missionaries," and sometimes there is a sign over the door as you leave the church, "You are now entering the mission field." However, if everyone is a missionary, the word loses its meaning. (No offense meant, just informing.)

What the missionaries to the Aucas did and died for was far beyond what the typical witness for Christ in a "civilized" country ever dreams of. In our last couple of years in Japan I saw three yakuza (Japanese mafia) come to Christ. One day I asked one, "Do you think the godfather might come to visit me?" He said, "He might." (He didn't. )

The priesthood of the believer grants you this. (I just taught that doctrine to a couple of men at my Sunday School table.)

I do believe that the word (missionary) has to a great extent lost its meaning. I know churches who go on foreign "missions" which are essentually vacations designed to strengthen the person going. I also know churches who go to Los Angeles and minister to "skid row", actually reaching several with the gospel.

That is, obviously, not to detract from foreign missions. But it is an observation. The word has, to a great extent, lost meaning.

Yes, the priesthood of believers does grant me this, but more importantly my opinion (which is always correct) does as well.


Seriously, though, I can see how both views cannot be drawn from Scripture. This is not a topic where I think it is beneficial to challenge the conscious of others.

I will say that I have run across very...militant (?)...Christians that would kill a guy for stealing a car. This is, IMO, an aspect of our culture. We are to some extent, at heart, a violent people. Look at the call to nuke Iran several years ago (even on this forum). Think of how many morning those who die for committing a violent crime (not getting into the issue of capital punishment, but even advocating the death penality it seems there would be a degree of sorrow concerning taking a life rather than almost gleeful celebration). Look at our entertainment.


I wish I did not feel that some (not all, probably not most) who advocate guns in church long for a day they can exercise their 2nd Ammendment rights and kill a man or woman for whom Christ died. I hope my feeling is based on the odd conversation and misses the mark of reality.

 

[JonC]

Interesting statement - Should we defend our opinions? If not - then its more of a preference
(I know, maybe we should start a new OP on this)

Nah....here is fine.

Here it is more than a preference (it is how I understand that we are to live). But it is my understanding rather than a direct statement or command from God's Word.

So its more than "lima beans are gross" and less than "Jesus died for our sins".

 

[John of Japan]

I do believe that the word (missionary) has to a great extent lost its meaning. I know churches who go on foreign "missions" which are essentually vacations designed to strengthen the person going. I also know churches who go to Los Angeles and minister to "skid row", actually reaching several with the gospel.

That is, obviously, not to detract from foreign missions. But it is an observation. The word has, to a great extent, lost meaning.

I think you are right when looking at broader evangelicalism, but fundamentalists still support missionaries by the faith missions method of Hudson Taylor, and have them in often. So to the average fundamentalist, the word "missionary" still means a church-planting, evangelistic cross cultural missionary.

Yes, the priesthood of believers does grant me this, but more importantly my opinion (which is always correct) does as well.


Seriously, though, I can see how both views cannot be drawn from Scripture. This is not a topic where I think it is beneficial to challenge the conscious of others.

I will say that I have run across very...militant (?)...Christians that would kill a guy for stealing a car. This is, IMO, an aspect of our culture. We are to some extent, at heart, a violent people. Look at the call to nuke Iran several years ago (even on this forum). Think of how many morning those who die for committing a violent crime (not getting into the issue of capital punishment, but even advocating the death penality it seems there would be a degree of sorrow concerning taking a life rather than almost gleeful celebration). Look at our entertainment.

I agree with this.

I wish I did not feel that some (not all, probably not most) who advocate guns in church long for a day they can exercise their 2nd Ammendment rights and kill a man or woman for whom Christ died. I hope my feeling is based on the odd conversation and misses the mark of reality.

I think this misses the mark to a large degree, though there may be exceptions. It is certainly not true in our church. The training of a well trained security team will eliminate such people and such motives.

 

[JonC]

I think this misses the mark to a large degree, though there may be exceptions. It is certainly not true in our church. The training of a well trained security team will eliminate such people and such momotives.

I agree. That's why I attributed it to a "feeling" (something I avoid for beliefs). I see this attitude present in online forums and media (which often represent extremes). I have not seen it in churches.

 

[John of Japan]

I agree. That's why I attributed it to a "feeling" (something I avoid for beliefs). I see this attitude present in online forums and media (which often represent extremes). I have not seen it in churches.

Sad that anyone, especially any Christian, would think that way.

 

[JonC]

Sad that anyone, especially any Christian, would think that way.

Yes.....don't even think about starting a thread on the death penalty.

 

[Salty]

Yes.....don't even think about starting a thread on the death penalty.

when you tell me dont.....