Should a Christian go to war?

[stovebolts]

No situation or event is faster than God. HE'd tell you what to do. I'm not a fictious kind of person

Now that's trusting in God... faith in action. I could really use some more of that myself.

 

[jasonc]

some of the American Indians war were unjust. would YOU lewis kill an isreali if we went to war with them and they weren't the aggressor?

that is what I meant. we have to be real that not all the wars any nation has fought since the time of Christ and the concept of just wars hasn't been just.

 

[jasonc]

So is a Christian in time of war authorized by God to kill another human, because Jason I was a hired hit man, when I was in the Army, and Jason you still are one.View attachment 4881
Same goes for a Christian cop

lewis, I can leave the army at will. I simply don't have to any term of enlistment. just so you know.

 

[Willie T]

lewis, I can leave the army at will. I simply don't have to any term of enlistment. just so you know.

You have nothing to defend against the sort of person who would degrade you and all other soldiers and police officers by calling them "Hired Hit Men". Maybe he chose to take pay, seeing himself that way, but it is uncalled for to speak such of others defending us.

 

[jasonc]

I don't see why he even said that and wasn't taken back by that, just responding the assumption that im in because I signed a legal contract. no, with my letter I can resign and be out within a few months. in that time I wont go to war.

 

[jasonc]

a better word would retire. as that is what I intend to do within a year.

 

[jasonc]

That's not the point of the OP.

The question is: "Should Christians go to war?"

There's nothing in the Word of God that forbids an individual from joining the Armed Forces. There is however, scripture that tells us to obey the governing authorities. If you're a member of the Armed Forces you go where they say. You buck the system and you're transgressing the Word of God.

It's really that simple.

.

there are legal times where we can refuse orders. that should be mentioned.

 

[Lewis]

Okay the latest question, why would God in the Bible tell people to kill whole villages or certain people who were antagonistic to his law ? But now we have Muslims who are bowing to a false God and murdering and beheading people, try to take us over. Now in Biblical time we went to war with these type people with God backing us up. Romans 13 says that it is lawful.

 

[Eugene]

Okay the latest question, why would God in the Bible tell people to kill whole villages or certain people who were antagonistic to his law ? But now we have Muslims who are bowing to a false God and murdering and beheading people, try to take us over. Now in Biblical time we went to war with these type people with God backing us up. Romans 13 says that it is lawful.

You've got it. Jesus also paid taxes to Rome; a nation.that seemed to excel at war.

Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

 

[jasonc]

Okay the latest question, why would God in the Bible tell people to kill whole villages or certain people who were antagonistic to his law ? But now we have Muslims who are bowing to a false God and murdering and beheading people, try to take us over. Now in Biblical time we went to war with these type people with God backing us up. Romans 13 says that it is lawful.

you may enlist.

so if the army ordered me to kill a child that isn't a threat? should I? that is what the Lord ordered. that was then and that was GOD. not fallable man giving that order.

 

[Edward]

I don't see why he even said that and wasn't taken back by that, just responding the assumption that im in because I signed a legal contract. no, with my letter I can resign and be out within a few months. in that time I wont go to war.

I have never been in the military, but this is my understanding of it, is that...if you don't want to be there...then they don't want you there and will somehow see to it that you get out. Of course it is probably dependent upon circumstances, details yada yada yada.

But to answer the question. What's so hard about this question? God has sent men into war countless times in scripture. We were born into a spiritual war behind enemy lines. Turn the other cheek has nothing to do with war.

If one does not want to go to war or take the chance of having to kill someone, then it's easy, don't sign up for the military. If you do...then you better follow orders and do what you're told to do. Governing authorities and all that.

I'm a pacifist at heart (sort've, I don't want to kill anyone, but don't go all technical with definitions on me, lol). But would I? Sure, if they force me to. It's up to them. If someone is attacking my family or charge, then buddy, they came to the wrong house, it's as simple as that.

Saying that you will depend upon God sure sounds good on paper and implies that one has great faith, and that is good, no problem there. But I have been attacked before, and...I didn't have time to go into prayer. I had to fight.

I suppose that it could be debated that one can quickly look inwardly to the Spirit to be led or protected...Umm, this may be so and is a wonderful opportunity for the Lords power to be shown and to bring glory to God, however...who has this much faith or relationship to be able to get the instantaneous response from God in time to protect you or your charge? It may be so that Classik has this close of a relationship with God that this would happen, and the protection which he seeks...he would not be let down and it would be there. BUT! This would be dependent upon the truthfulness of what he says. Only he and the Lord knows within their heart and spirit if this is so.

If there is the slightest chance that he speaks vain words to support his positioning of beliefs...he could very well be picking himself up off of the ground to see his wife with a knife sticking out of her back and learn a lesson too late that he should have acted differently to the situation.

I understand very well the desire to go through this life without hurting another human being. I feel this way myself. But exigent circumstances can come upon us immediately which would demand immediate response or you will die. I think that expecting to be able to stand there and let the Lord handle it and fight for you is...unrealistic. Call it a lack of faith if you will. But when David went onto the field with Goliath, he did NOT stand there motionless in prayer while the Lord struck down Goliath with a lightning bolt. It was certainly the Lord's fight, and He did deliver Goliath into Davids hand, however...David had to participate and load up that sling and throw it. David had to walk it out for the Lords protection. i suspect that if David had merely stood there, that he may have died.

So it's good that you talk the talk Classik...but, could you or would you walk the walk?
In defensive situations, it is not our choice to kill the other, it is their choice. They pull the trigger.

It also must be taken into consideration about our charge(s). I do not think that you have any choice about protecting your charge. If you're alone and the elephant comes at you, fine, stand there if you want to, go to your knees in prayer if you want. But if your charge is with you...brother you better protect them. if you stand there while they get hurt or killed...you're going to have to carry this around with you for the rest of your life. That'd be pretty rough I think.

 

[jasonc]

uh, NO, I have soldiers that don't like to show up and drill. but getting into the head games of the military is off topic.

 

[Lewis]

I have never been in the military, but this is my understanding of it, is that...if you don't want to be there...then they don't want you there and will somehow see to it that you get out. Of course it is probably dependent upon circumstances, details yada yada yada.

But to answer the question. What's so hard about this question? God has sent men into war countless times in scripture. We were born into a spiritual war behind enemy lines. Turn the other cheek has nothing to do with war.

If one does not want to go to war or take the chance of having to kill someone, then it's easy, don't sign up for the military. If you do...then you better follow orders and do what you're told to do. Governing authorities and all that.

I'm a pacifist at heart (sort've, I don't want to kill anyone, but don't go all technical with definitions on me, lol). But would I? Sure, if they force me to. It's up to them. If someone is attacking my family or charge, then buddy, they came to the wrong house, it's as simple as that.

Saying that you will depend upon God sure sounds good on paper and implies that one has great faith, and that is good, no problem there. But I have been attacked before, and...I didn't have time to go into prayer. I had to fight.

I suppose that it could be debated that one can quickly look inwardly to the Spirit to be led or protected...Umm, this may be so and is a wonderful opportunity for the Lords power to be shown and to bring glory to God, however...who has this much faith or relationship to be able to get the instantaneous response from God in time to protect you or your charge? It may be so that Classik has this close of a relationship with God that this would happen, and the protection which he seeks...he would not be let down and it would be there. BUT! This would be dependent upon the truthfulness of what he says. Only he and the Lord knows within their heart and spirit if this is so.

If there is the slightest chance that he speaks vain words to support his positioning of beliefs...he could very well be picking himself up off of the ground to see his wife with a knife sticking out of her back and learn a lesson too late that he should have acted differently to the situation.

I understand very well the desire to go through this life without hurting another human being. I feel this way myself. But exigent circumstances can come upon us immediately which would demand immediate response or you will die. I think that expecting to be able to stand there and let the Lord handle it and fight for you is...unrealistic. Call it a lack of faith if you will. But when David went onto the field with Goliath, he did NOT stand there motionless in prayer while the Lord struck down Goliath with a lightning bolt. It was certainly the Lord's fight, and He did deliver Goliath into Davids hand, however...David had to participate and load up that sling and throw it. David had to walk it out for the Lords protection. i suspect that if David had merely stood there, that he may have died.

So it's good that you talk the talk Classik...but, could you or would you walk the walk?
In defensive situations, it is not our choice to kill the other, it is their choice. They pull the trigger.

It also must be taken into consideration about our charge(s). I do not think that you have any choice about protecting your charge. If you're alone and the elephant comes at you, fine, stand there if you want to, go to your knees in prayer if you want. But if your charge is with you...brother you better protect them. if you stand there while they get hurt or killed...you're going to have to carry this around with you for the rest of your life. That'd be pretty rough I think.

No Edward when I was coming up Philadelphia had more people drafted from a high school than any other place in the country, during the Vietnam war. And I remember that.
From Phila. School, 66 Died In Vietnam A Memorial At Edison High Notes Their Sacrifice. No Other U.s. School Is Believed To Have Lost More.
http://articles.philly.com/2000-04-18/news/25591580_1_bronze-plaque-edison-high-school-vietnam-war

 

[CenturionForChrist]

I have never been in the military, but this is my understanding of it, is that...if you don't want to be there...then they don't want you there and will somehow see to it that you get out. Of course it is probably dependent upon circumstances, details yada yada yada.

But to answer the question. What's so hard about this question? God has sent men into war countless times in scripture. We were born into a spiritual war behind enemy lines. Turn the other cheek has nothing to do with war.

If one does not want to go to war or take the chance of having to kill someone, then it's easy, don't sign up for the military. If you do...then you better follow orders and do what you're told to do. Governing authorities and all that.

I'm a pacifist at heart (sort've, I don't want to kill anyone, but don't go all technical with definitions on me, lol). But would I? Sure, if they force me to. It's up to them. If someone is attacking my family or charge, then buddy, they came to the wrong house, it's as simple as that.

Saying that you will depend upon God sure sounds good on paper and implies that one has great faith, and that is good, no problem there. But I have been attacked before, and...I didn't have time to go into prayer. I had to fight.

I suppose that it could be debated that one can quickly look inwardly to the Spirit to be led or protected...Umm, this may be so and is a wonderful opportunity for the Lords power to be shown and to bring glory to God, however...who has this much faith or relationship to be able to get the instantaneous response from God in time to protect you or your charge? It may be so that Classik has this close of a relationship with God that this would happen, and the protection which he seeks...he would not be let down and it would be there. BUT! This would be dependent upon the truthfulness of what he says. Only he and the Lord knows within their heart and spirit if this is so.

If there is the slightest chance that he speaks vain words to support his positioning of beliefs...he could very well be picking himself up off of the ground to see his wife with a knife sticking out of her back and learn a lesson too late that he should have acted differently to the situation.

I understand very well the desire to go through this life without hurting another human being. I feel this way myself. But exigent circumstances can come upon us immediately which would demand immediate response or you will die. I think that expecting to be able to stand there and let the Lord handle it and fight for you is...unrealistic. Call it a lack of faith if you will. But when David went onto the field with Goliath, he did NOT stand there motionless in prayer while the Lord struck down Goliath with a lightning bolt. It was certainly the Lord's fight, and He did deliver Goliath into Davids hand, however...David had to participate and load up that sling and throw it. David had to walk it out for the Lords protection. i suspect that if David had merely stood there, that he may have died.

So it's good that you talk the talk Classik...but, could you or would you walk the walk?
In defensive situations, it is not our choice to kill the other, it is their choice. They pull the trigger.

It also must be taken into consideration about our charge(s). I do not think that you have any choice about protecting your charge. If you're alone and the elephant comes at you, fine, stand there if you want to, go to your knees in prayer if you want. But if your charge is with you...brother you better protect them. if you stand there while they get hurt or killed...you're going to have to carry this around with you for the rest of your life. That'd be pretty rough I think.

Edward I liked how talked about exigent circumstances. Having faith and trusting in God is obviously good, however, I think your getting at what I'm about to say. Classik says to wait until the moment, but like another person stated in a post you may only have two seconds to make a decision. I believe God gave us a brain for a reason and he expects us to use it. We should never test God. If we are sick what do we do? ---We take medicine or consult a doctor we don't just lay around hoping the sickness will go away, obviously we pray but we don't test God. Another example, Do you lock your doors at night or just hope nobody will enter your home unwanted? No obviously you use the tools God gave you, you bolt lock the door. As it is written in Matthew Chapter 4 When Jesus was tempted by satan to throw himself off the temple and have the angels save him, he told him never to tempt God. Don't tempt the Lord and use the mind and the tools he gave you.

 

[Lewis]

You have nothing to defend against the sort of person who would degrade you and all other soldiers and police officers by calling them "Hired Hit Men". Maybe he chose to take pay, seeing himself that way, but it is uncalled for to speak such of others defending us.

Well speaking about the Army, what are you ? You are a hired hit man, the government pays you to kill, truth or not ?

 

[jasonc]

Well speaking about the Army, what are you ? You are a hired hit man, the government pays you to kill, truth or not ?

I know a man who lost money(100k a year) to join to serve because he believed his nation was worth it. he simply doenst need the money. he joined my unit as a mechanic. special forces saw his talent and took him and he went to Iraq after his first tour with us. he lost 200 lbs to join the guard.he got frustrated by the special forces and go out. he never needed the money.

 

[Eugene]

Well speaking about the Army, what are you ? You are a hired hit man, the government pays you to kill, truth or not ?

If you pay taxes you are paying someone to be your hit man; truth or not?
Even that police officer that may sacrifice their life to keep you safe.

 

[Lewis]

I know a man who lost money(100k a year) to join to serve because he believed his nation was worth it. he simply doenst need the money. he joined my unit as a mechanic. special forces saw his talent and took him and he went to Iraq after his first tour with us. he lost 200 lbs to join the guard.he got frustrated by the special forces and go out. he never needed the money.

Jason, that is the mind set of this individual, I am talking about overall. Aren't you paid to kill ?

 

[jasonc]

Jason, that is the mind set of this individual, I am talking about overall. Aren't you paid to kill ?

we aren't mercenaries. I find that insulting.

a wife and husband my own a business of selling guns and teaching self-defense or any business. if they defend themselves it takes money to defend. yes it does. you must own a gun, you must by ammo and periodically shoot it.

does that make them a mercenary?NO.

A mercenary[1] is a person who takes part in an armed conflict, who is not a national or a party to the conflict and is "motivated to take part in the hostilities by the desire for private gain."[

I didn't go to war and beg god to spare me for some 42k a year. so please, now im being insulted.

I have made a career of what I do part time but that is BY no means a mercenary!

 

[Lewis]

Jason many things in life are insulting, but wasn't I a paid hit man when I was in the Army ? I don't care how it sounds, but what is the truth of it ?