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Should a Christian Serve in the Military?
- Thread starter Brice
- Start date
Can we call this judging the President of the USofA? Who put George Bush in power? Certainly not his enemies, and not even his friends. It is God's doing, and I will not judge God for putting a man in the Office of the President of the United Sates of America because of deaths occurring to those nation's that wish to wipe out first us, in order to destroy every Jew on earth.Rufus_1611 said:
Events of nation's are not of the whelm of men. Until that perfect Justice comes, we can only do our best, but the dwindling few are becoming fewer, as the times are beginning to look like the days of Noah.
Jesus said "go thy way". Jesus didn't say if you change your occupation and become a fisherman, then your faith will be acknowledged and your servant will be healed.
This is written to the individual in our daily life. We are to render to Caesar his due, and in our case the Government under George Bush still makes place for those with moral issues.
It would seem Peter had his own sword. What is a sword for? To use for protection against physical attack. Was any being physically attacked with imminent death or bodily harm? Not here. Those that use the "sword without definitive provocation" look to be covered in this scripture.
Are we that want to protect our loved ones and friends, and offer to lay down our lives without Love? No for we understand what we know in our heart to be true, and it is a love for our loved one's, our friends. "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you," John 15:12-14.
A decent Country that cares for its people can take Romans 13 for its authority to take whatever means necessary to protect its people, and others of the world that are unable to do so.
It is right for those that join the military, and it is right for those that do not. It is also right that every citizen should stand firmly behind our troops, showing a united front to our enemies, whoever, and wherever they may be.
Ed Edwards
<img src=/Ed.gif>
In Loving Honor of Col. Bob: beloved
friend and mentor in Chirst:
Brother Col. Bob enlisted in the US Air Force
in 1945 and served there until 1977 /34 years/
(in 1977 he joined the church where I attend).
He was the assistant city manager (of the town next
to the city in which I live) for 12 years.
He served under 9 city managers (the city council
flipped political majority 9 times and fired
9 city managers - in short, he administered
that town). After retiring from that job, he
got a para-legal degree and worked part
time as a para legal. He died a few years ago
of brain cancer.
I (and others also, you know) laid hands on him
for the purpose of commissioning him to the
role of Deacon, which Deacon Bob filled
worthy of honor, as indeed everything he did.
Brother Deacon Col. Bob Taught Sunday School
building a middle-age adult couples class
from scratch. Brother Deacon Col. Bob taught
many courses to 100s of people in
UNDERSTANDING GOD.
On a mission trip to the post-Iron Curtain
country of Russia, he spake with a retired
General who was a Christian: they both sit
in fighters at the end of runways expecting
the other side might attack.
God honors those who serve in the Military,
as do I. Due to his effort standing against the dark
foes of our land (he was an intercept fighter pilot)
- we live today in a land where
we are free to witness to others what the Lord has
done for us. Amen.
friend and mentor in Chirst:
Brother Col. Bob enlisted in the US Air Force
in 1945 and served there until 1977 /34 years/
(in 1977 he joined the church where I attend).
He was the assistant city manager (of the town next
to the city in which I live) for 12 years.
He served under 9 city managers (the city council
flipped political majority 9 times and fired
9 city managers - in short, he administered
that town). After retiring from that job, he
got a para-legal degree and worked part
time as a para legal. He died a few years ago
of brain cancer.
I (and others also, you know) laid hands on him
for the purpose of commissioning him to the
role of Deacon, which Deacon Bob filled
worthy of honor, as indeed everything he did.
Brother Deacon Col. Bob Taught Sunday School
building a middle-age adult couples class
from scratch. Brother Deacon Col. Bob taught
many courses to 100s of people in
UNDERSTANDING GOD.
On a mission trip to the post-Iron Curtain
country of Russia, he spake with a retired
General who was a Christian: they both sit
in fighters at the end of runways expecting
the other side might attack.
God honors those who serve in the Military,
as do I. Due to his effort standing against the dark
foes of our land (he was an intercept fighter pilot)
- we live today in a land where
we are free to witness to others what the Lord has
done for us. Amen.
Sober_Baptist
New Member
I served a volunteer term during the Viet Nam era in the Army.
I found that almost all the people who were against serving eventually would admit they were just afraid of getting killed or wounded.
Sorry, but that's the way it is.
I found that almost all the people who were against serving eventually would admit they were just afraid of getting killed or wounded.
Sorry, but that's the way it is.
StraightAndNarrow said:
StraightAndNarrow
Active Member
Sober_Baptist said:
I was afraid of throwing away my one life for something that had no meaning. I would much rather die for my faith.
Ed Edwards
<img src=/Ed.gif>
StraightAndNarrow said:
Political martyrs probably outnumber religious martyrs
by 100 to 1.
Men (and women) who gave their lives to I can set
and pick arguments with youse folks deserve our
highest admiration.
We need to pray for those who break God's law and fear:
John 15:13 (KJV1611 Edition):
Greater loue hath no man then this,
that a man lay downe his life for his friends.
Ed Edwards
<img src=/Ed.gif>
Thank you for risking your life & bodily integritySober_Baptist said:
to help me & mine.
Sober_Baptist said:
You have hit the nail on the head, most (probably not every) but most "war opposer's" are cowards. They embrace the fruits of freedom but are not willing to invest "blood equity" to maintain that freedom. They have well constructed arguments based on politics and/or faith, but the bottom line is a shirking of the duty the Soldier accepts. That is our system (few other nations have a system like ours) and I accept it; I swore an oath to the Constitution (not to any man) so I accept their refusal to serve, but they have no respect from me. My respect is reserved for those that are willing to fight and even die for our freedom. Bruce
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BruceB said:
Interesting perspective, but it does beg the question "Is it more courageous to take up arms and fight knowing full well your fighting may lead to your death or is it more courageous to refuse to fight knowing full well your refusal could mean your own death?"
Last edited by a moderator:
Somehow there has arisen a thought that those refusing to serve the military are taking advantage of those who chose to serve. Though I can't speak for others I think it is important to understand that I would like to think that my service and dedication to Jesus is not dependent on living in a free country. I serve Jesus because I am compelled to do so by the Holy Spirit. There is nothing in my theological outlook that requires I live in America to fully operate as a Christian. Am I grateful for living here and having freedom of religion, why of course. But I am not dependent on living here to practice my faith, at least that is the goal (Philippians 3:12).
Ed Edwards
<img src=/Ed.gif>
go2church: //Interesting perspective, but it does beg
the question "Is it more courageous to take up arms
and fight knowing full well your fighting may lead to
your death or is it more courageous to refuse to fight
knowing full well your refusal could mean your
own death?"//
Actually, because of those Christians who served the military of the
USofA, the real question is:
Is it more corageous to take up arms and fighting knowing there is
a 5% chance your fighting may lead to your death or is it
more courageous to refuse to fight and have to spend a
few hundred hours of your time being contaminated by
lawyers?
the question "Is it more courageous to take up arms
and fight knowing full well your fighting may lead to
your death or is it more courageous to refuse to fight
knowing full well your refusal could mean your
own death?"//
Actually, because of those Christians who served the military of the
USofA, the real question is:
Is it more corageous to take up arms and fighting knowing there is
a 5% chance your fighting may lead to your death or is it
more courageous to refuse to fight and have to spend a
few hundred hours of your time being contaminated by
lawyers?
go2church said:
It's so easy to say these types of things when you live in a place WHERE you can say that.
go2church said:
So you'd be able to "fully operate as a Christian" if you lived in Afghanistan while the Taliban was in control. :laugh: Not for long at least.
StraightAndNarrow
Active Member
Ed Edwards said:
Is it more courageous to live in Harlem or in central Oklahoma? How relevant is this question?
Ok, let me say this.....My Pastor always honors the veterans on Memorial
Day Sunday and on 4th of July Sunday because this is a nation founded
on Christian principles, and we have to fight to preserve our rights.
And almost every man in our church stands and is applauded for his service to our country.
If My Dad, who was a deacon all his life, hadn't fought in WWII, he would've been embarrassed and ashamed. It is moral and right to defend our country from enemies. King David wrote Psalms 56, didn't he?
Debbie Mc
Day Sunday and on 4th of July Sunday because this is a nation founded
on Christian principles, and we have to fight to preserve our rights.
And almost every man in our church stands and is applauded for his service to our country.
If My Dad, who was a deacon all his life, hadn't fought in WWII, he would've been embarrassed and ashamed. It is moral and right to defend our country from enemies. King David wrote Psalms 56, didn't he?
Debbie Mc
dcorbett said:
The question is not should a country defend itself, the question is should a Christian serve in the military? I'm not sure about the Psalm 56 comment, at just a quick read, it seems that David, mighty, army, killing, King David is placing his trust in God and not military might. Enlighten please
I was wondering something. Those of you who seem to be against the idea of a Christian serving in the miltary mainly seem to be opposed to the idea that you may be required to kill somebody.
However, what do you think about our police force? What about state troopers? They may very well be required to kill somebody. They are trained for it and carry a weapon and often that situation does come up. So that must mean that you're against our police force just as much as our military force, and don't believe that Christians should have any part of it.
That's an insane thought, and I seriously doubt that anybody would agree that this is how they feel. This is probably because they can see first hand that our police force protects them. Everybody understands that without a police force, things would be chaos, deaths would be rampant, your property and family would never be safe. Even though there are deaths on both sides of the fence due to police action, its well worth it because it is necessary, worthy, and noble to protect everyone from those who try to cause harm.
So what is so different about our military force? Anymore, we're kind of the police of the world. A friend of mine is an MP, he went to Iraq in Fallujah or however you spell it, he carried a weapon, but he wasn't there to show aggression, he didn't pick any fights, he simply patrolled the streets and made sure everybody behaved. Luckily, nothing came up, he was not shot at, nobody tried to blow him up, so he came home unharmed without a single shot fired. He simply came home with a bunch of pictures, interesting stories, and trinkets where he freely shopped on the streets. Some of you don't seem to understand that this would be the outcome of every American soldier over there if everyone in Iraq behaved in that same manner and didn't try to kill our soldiers.
However, what do you think about our police force? What about state troopers? They may very well be required to kill somebody. They are trained for it and carry a weapon and often that situation does come up. So that must mean that you're against our police force just as much as our military force, and don't believe that Christians should have any part of it.
That's an insane thought, and I seriously doubt that anybody would agree that this is how they feel. This is probably because they can see first hand that our police force protects them. Everybody understands that without a police force, things would be chaos, deaths would be rampant, your property and family would never be safe. Even though there are deaths on both sides of the fence due to police action, its well worth it because it is necessary, worthy, and noble to protect everyone from those who try to cause harm.
So what is so different about our military force? Anymore, we're kind of the police of the world. A friend of mine is an MP, he went to Iraq in Fallujah or however you spell it, he carried a weapon, but he wasn't there to show aggression, he didn't pick any fights, he simply patrolled the streets and made sure everybody behaved. Luckily, nothing came up, he was not shot at, nobody tried to blow him up, so he came home unharmed without a single shot fired. He simply came home with a bunch of pictures, interesting stories, and trinkets where he freely shopped on the streets. Some of you don't seem to understand that this would be the outcome of every American soldier over there if everyone in Iraq behaved in that same manner and didn't try to kill our soldiers.