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Originally Posted by Jeff_Bartel  I see some of the reasoning you have presented as a false dichotomy between the teaching of Christ, and the teaching of the Old Testament (although granted that there are differences between the situations). God commanded countless wars and killings in the Old Covenant, and the death penalty goes back (explicitly) at least as far back as Noah. As one who believes in the continuity of the Covenant of Grace, I see no dichotomy between loving your enemies, and a time for war/defense of one's self. Part of the sixth commandment includes the duty of
(WLC Q135) all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves [1] and others [2]...by just defense thereof against violence,[8]
1. Eph. 5:28-29
2. I Kings 18:4
8. Psa. 82:4; Prov. 24:11-12; I Sam. 14:45
also the duty of (WLC Q136) lawful war,[4] or necessary defense;[5]
4. Jer. 48:10; Deut. ch. 20
5. Exod. 22:2-3
Anything else is breaking the sixth commandment and should be avoided. We should love our neighbors as ourselves, but is it loving ourselves/countrymen if we do not take up arms to defend ourselves? We should love our enemies to be sure, but this does not mean that we should become door mats.
Also, the church is not one that should wage war against enemies in just situations. That is the job/role of the civil magistrate. |
I am not so concerned with the commandments in the sense of ensuring I obey all ten. I see Christ as the fulfillment, and the knowledge that there are basically two: love God and love your neighbor.
Your statement, "We should love our neighbors as ourselves, but is it loving ourselves/countrymen if we do not take up arms to defend ourselves?" is not one I can easily understand. While this isn't where I want to take it, isn't that supporting the idea that Iraqi Christians (of which there are many) should take up arms
with their Muslim neighbors and fight against the US right now? And that would be loving your neighbor?
When you speak of taking up arms, and defending yourself or your country, you do so against someone else. That someone else is not your neighbor? Who are they? Your enemy? If so, then we return to what Christ said about our enemies: love them and pray for them. I'm not sure I see any affirmation for the idea of taking up arms against them, especially for the sake of your own life.
If you characterize pacifism as being door mats then certainly that paints those of us who subscribe to that path in a pretty sad light. If it means the name of Christ and his kingdom is proclaimed, then I will gladly be a door mat. But I'm not the one in control of my life. No Christian is.
You also said, "Also, the church is not one that should wage war against enemies in just situations. That is the job/role of the civil magistrate." I completely agree. The Church should not wage any wars at all. But the Church should be the ones bringing peace and aid to those ravaged by war.
I say a perfect way to love our Muslim neighbor in Iraq (to consider just one example) is for a Christian with the means to go to Iraq and give aid (food, money, supplies, construction, etc.) to the Muslim families that have felt the destructive effects of war. And do that in the name of Christ, not of a country.