7/1/2006
Spiritually empty liberal Christianity
Recently I’ve been pondering how people who call themselves ‘Christians’ could possibly side with the pacifist side on issues like the Iraq War, or the War on Terror. Mark Tooley explains at Frontpage Magazine:
This weekend, leftist churches are expected to ring their bells to note the 2,500th U.S. military death in Iraq. The campaign is organized by the the National Council of Churches’ (NCC) political arm, called “Faithful America” and by Ralph Nader’s antiwar group, Democracy Rising (See their website at: DemocracyRising.us.).
This is one of those extremely frightening things; history repeating itself. In Germany, as the Nazis were taking over and Hitler was trying to ‘make nice’ with the Christian churches while planning their demise…the Christian churches actually started supporting Hitler’s Nazi Youth groups and furthering his causes–that was before, of course, the concentration camps when germans and nongermans, christians and jews alike were marched to the slaughterhouses if they didn’t starve or die from beatings and medical experiments first.
Naturally Nader, et. al., see the U.S.-led liberation of Iraq from Saddam’s despotism in the most sinister terms. Democracy Rising’s website attributes the war to war profiteering by Big Business and the Bush family.
This is the most disengenuous argument there is to the dangers we’re really facing.
The NCC’s chief, Bob Edgar, a Methodist minister and former Democratic congressman, also chimed in, although he tried to sound more pastoral: “This is a tragedy that shouldn’t have happened,” he said of the Iraq war, cynically using other people’s religion to advance his left-wing political agenda. “These young men and women who paid the ultimate price of their government’s call to arms will be mourned by everyone. And across America, tens of thousands – mothers, fathers, spouses, siblings, children and friends – bear a burden of grief we can scarcely imagine.”
Edgar, facing a nearly bankrupt NCC when he took over six years ago, has intensified the NCC’s involvement in far-Left political causes. Accordingly he has gained increasing support for the NCC from leftist foundations, even as the NCC’s 35 member denominations continue to give less and less to the NCC.
In particular, the NCC’s “Faithful America Project” has gotten support from George Soros’ Open Society Institute, the Ford Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
The funding of these leftist causes is not surprising; and the fact that Soros had some experience in Nazi Germany, the black market, etc., and profitted during those dark times in Nazi germany should also give a person pause. (Sources: here, here, here, here, here, here). This paragraph is from reference.com:
As a young man, Soros traded currencies in the black market in Hungary during the second world war. Soros was fourteen when the Germans took military control over their ally Hungary in the last part of the war, and he avoided the fate of many Jews as the grandson of a Hungarian official working for the Nazis, overseeing the confiscation of Jewish properties, who was assisted by his son-in-law, Tivadar Soros.
Let me be as specific as I can: Soros’ family had a connection with the Nazi movement; and made money off the Jews’ unfortunate situation during that period.
See this at Pittsburgh Tribune Review “The Man Who Broke the Bank”
So, we looked at George Soros’ childhood in Nazi-occupied Budapest and the stresses that he shared with his father Tivador, a lawyer, writer and publisher, his mother Erzebet and older brother Paul. For 10 months, during the summer and winter of 1944, the Jews of Hungary were hunted by the German SS and Hungarian fascists. Some 300,000 Jews were captured and sent to death camps.
But not the Soros family. They already had sold their properties and hid the cash so there was nothing for Admiral Horthy’s thugs to confiscate. In a book, “Masquerade,” written by the elder Soros and which his sons published in America, Tivador recounted how he helped forge and sell official documents to other Jews on the run and how, without converting, they were able to pose as gentiles.
Young George claims to have loved the excitement of those months and went around the country with a sympathetic Hungarian official who took the role of the 14-year-old’s godfather, giving George added credibility. In an April 1993 TV interview, George Soros spoke of those days. “I actually went with him, and we took decisions on these large estates. That was my identity. So it’s a strange, very strange, life.”
So his family, like John Kerry’s are jews who posed as gentiles (lied) because it was politically expedient. How interesting. A life which appears included making money off the property of the Jews, many of whom were sent to concentration camps.
America gave George, the 38th richest person on the planet, an opportunity to become a multibillionaire. In turn he is using some of these billions to promote socialist programs and to destroy the financial institutions of free economies.
Not a surprise, considering what you find when you ‘follow the money’. See “Charitable Foundations: ATMs for the Left” by Ben Johnson.
Just as in the case of the Rosenberg granddaughters, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
You can see an interesting exchange between Davids Medienkritik and Soros at Davids Medienkritik. In true leftist authoritarian style, Soros took the entire exchange down from his blog after it had been linked by Instapundit and a few other high profile conservative political bloggers. Soros in my opinion-is not very adept at defending his position, which is typical of leftists; they would rather just shut down our side of the debate.
Medienkritik points out that Soros did not answer many of his points; he at first gives Soros credit for allowing open discussion of issues, but Soros quickly changed that approach. Hardly surprising.
The NCC and the Nader group hope to enlist 2,500 “communities of worship” to ring their bells. Supposedly, one thousand have signed up so far.
Of course, this fatuous “Ring in Remembrance” campaign’s purpose is not really to “honor” the American dead. Instead, it seeks to exploit their deaths as a news hook for the campaign’s harsh anti-war rhetoric. Sadly, the NCC likely will ensnare at least a few churches that are not aware of the left-wing cynicism of the NCC and Nader’s group.
Sadly, so many of these ‘pacifists’ who supposedly ’stand for Christ’, are not rightly dividing the word of God or relying on the holy spirit to guide them- are not taking their instruction from the Bible like the Bereans, who would check their bibles daily to see if these things are true; they check instead, with their corrupt leadership who are towing the leftist lines and making our country more dangerous day-by-day by talking EXTREME rhetoric, which with the help of Cindy Sheehan, Code Pink, Murtha and others, has pulled into the mainstream without being called by its real name. Code Pink’s founder, Medea Benjamin, is a self-proclaimed and proud MARXIST. Anyone who subscribes to that line of thinking should consider its roots and do some soul searching as to what that ideology really represents.
Because Ralph Nader the green, is really red on the inside; and the artful dodger in him that preaches ‘do as I say not as I do’ is also preaching to Christians when he is not a religious man AT ALL. He has absolutely no business, authority or expertise in this area; but neither do his followers, obviously, who are willing to be suckered in so that they feel important.
The NCC’s angry crusade against the Iraq War, and its alliance with even angrier secular groups like Nader’s Democracy Rising, represents the new, sad face of spiritually-empty, liberal Christianity. Its “Ring in Remembrance” bell-tolling of this weekend claims to honor slain U.S. military personnel. But it really instead portrays them merely as hapless victims in a shameful cause. Nader and the NCC should be ashamed.
See also: Jacob Laskin’s piece at Frontpage Magazine called “The Church of the Latter Day Leftists” and Johannes L. Jacobse’s piece called “United Churches of Castro”, and “Charitable Foundations: ATMs for the Left” by Ben Johnson.
Yankeemom linked with Yankeemom
July 1st, 2006 at 2:39 pm
Cao,this is on the money,and this is one of the things that Ann Coulter mentioned in her book about the left.Another Bible verse these liberal Suckers forget is Psalms 1:1 when David issues a warning about walking in the counsel of the unGodly.This is exactly what these gullible “Chrisitans” are doing.They are being very disobedient to God.These folks are gonna learn the hard way by associating themselves like this unchanable people.These libs are nothing more than heretics,and apostates.And they should also look at where all this big cash they’re getting is coming from,strange isn’t it,that these are the same people whose talking points and index cards constantly criticize the conservatives,when I have yet to find or know of any conservative Billionaire,it seems to me every last one that I’ve read about these last few years are all leftists!These useful idiots are trainwrecks and it should’ve occured to them why their churches as far as membership goes is dwindling,because they have decided to go the way of the world instead of the way of God.I haven’t seen any of these people help restore anybody for Jesus Christ.How many souls have they saved?How many of them do as the early church did,I don’t see power at all,I see moral bankruptcy at the highest order,and also,these shadow government types have a trendancey to be far left too,Council of Foreign Relations,and the Bilderbergers groups are predominately run by the left,there are some on the right that are members,but,by and large,they are left leaning politically.This dumb preacher doesn’t have the sense to know that even if we hadn’t gone into Iraq,we in the west were still targets of these hooligans.Pacifism is a very dangerous and milktoast idea that has never worked and it never will.These people are just like what Churchill described,hoping that the crocodile will eat them last.My advice to these tools and fools,better read your Bible,it has been collecting too much dust,and so you will not feel the wrath that is coming your way if you keep this up.
July 2nd, 2006 at 12:59 am
[…] Cao has an excellent post on this - read it here. […]
July 3rd, 2006 at 12:10 am
I’ve been wondering why that POS is still allowed to rome free causing the damage he does,I know he went to Humngary back about two or more years ago,and the people there hate his guts!!After reading this I can understand why?!Hopefully,our next Cinc will start looking at this part of the GWOT instead of ignoring it like Presudent Bush has.This man like so many on the left is disgusting and and morally bankrupt to a t.
February 10th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
anyone who is familiar with the epistemology of christianity knows that its doctrines are founded on tenets such as “turn the other cheek,” “love your enemies,” “don’t return evil for evil” and how about the most obvious “thou shall not kill.” what part of those scriptures do you not understand? or perhaps i should say, what part of christian ideology do you feel supports your tendencious misplaced zeal?
February 10th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
How interesting that you should bring that up. I’m about to do a post on those.
You haven’t been around very long, because I have talked about this a lot both in posts and in comments. I will use your comment to kick it off.
Love your enemies does not mean laying your head down so they can hack it off.
Moral People Must Learn How to Hate (Rabbi Shmuley Boteach)
Christianity does not prevent us from defending ourselves. In fact, it encourages us to do so.
There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding our Lord’s statement in Matthew 5:39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. - King James Version
In Exodus 20:13Thou shalt not kill. - King James Version, part of the Ten Commandments, we read “Thou shalt not kill” (KJV). The accurate English translation would be “You shall not murder”. This commandment does NOT forbid the taking of life under certain circumstances. A good interpretation what this commandment does mean is here:
What Are the Duties Required In the Sixth Commandment?
Answer: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding, all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defense thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physical, sleep, labour, and recreations; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness; peaceable, mild and courteous speeches and behaviour; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succouring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent. (Q. &A. 135;)
We are instructed to: “preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting…” (emphasis added). This is with the wise recognition of the necessity, at times, to use defensive measures to aid others when necessary. They also say “by just defense thereof against violence.” This is a call for the legitimate use of self-defense. The Scriptures used to defend (no pun intended) this statement are Ps. 82:4; Prov. 24:11-12; 1 Sam. 14:45.
Now the liberal churches which don’t use the bible and cherry pick verses is subscribing to the belief that we have no right to defend ourselves; but that is not biblical.
Another passage of Scripture in Exodus tells us that protecting your family and possessions by using physical force when an intruder enters your home at night is legitimate: ” If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” (Ex. 22:2-3). This passage simply means that one can defend his home and life and that of his family if a thief or intruder comes in at night and threatens them. If it is during the daylight hours and the situation is not life threatening then lethal force can NOT be used.
In 1 Samuel 13:19,22 (see main page for the verses and a short comment) we see what happens when individuals of a nation no longer have the equipment to make and bear arms and defend themselves, their families and their nation. An open invitation to be attacked and plundered. Is this not, in reality, what the anti-self-defense people are setting us up for?
In Nehemiah 4 we see that the Jews were instructed to defend themselves and the wall they were building from those who wanted to use any means to keep it from being built. ” They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.” (Neh. 4:17,18; KJV).
There are other Old Testament passages could be given but these ought to suffice. In the New Testament we have such passages as Luke 22:36, which says: ” Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it,and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one”. Our Lord encouraged His disciples to get protection for use in self-defense. Elsewhere in the NT we have Paul saying that one must take care of his own family (1 Tim. 5:18) and, this a means defending them as well.
The New Testament does not contradict the Old Testament instruction on self-defense by saying “turn the other cheek”.
And lastly, on Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself:
I would also say that capitalism is not evil as they portray it to be; it encourages giving because you have a loving heart. You own what you earn; you benefit from your work. I know there is a piece on that around here somewhere, I’ll see if I can find the link. It talks about how capitalism is Godly, and communism/socialism is legalized theft.
Love thy neighbor as thyself is a version of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. First found in the Old Testament. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate this commandment.
Leviticus 19:18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. - King James Version
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:21 pm
your useage of old testament scriptures juxtaposed with new testament scriptures inhibits clarity. The two are similar yet distinctly seperate in their approaches. it is confusing to try to use both teachings to prove your point. in the old testament we have direct communication with God. The jews were messengers, prophets, warriors etc… However, the old testament was done away with when Christ came and showed us that oneness with God is no longer to be predicated upon ethnicity. In fact God opens it up to “all peoples, nations, tribes, and tongues.” Under this new paradigm, there are only two commandments that we are to follow. “Love your neighbor as yourself” and “Love God with your whole heart soul, mind, and strength.” These concepts work in tandem. If you don’t love your neighbor as yourself, i.e. killing them, then you don’t love God. In line with that reasoning if you claim to love God then you would also love your neighbor. Answer this: If you love yourself, then you don’t kill yourself do you? Furthermore, why do your spiritual views have to have socio-political agendas? Instead of seeing spirituality through the eyes of liberals and conservatives, why not try seeing it as a matter of love or lack of love. If we as christians claim to follow Christ, and Christ is Love. Then all human action is a reflection of one’s love or lack of love, as displayed to the outside world. This in mind answer this question. Is killing someone, something, or anything, a reflection of love or lack of love? Do not let your overzealousness be confused for taking God ’s responsibility for yourself. Remember he says “Vengeance is mine, i will repay.”
February 22nd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
The old testament is not totally negated because of the coming of Christ. Christ did not do away with such things as
Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. - King James Version
I appreciate your comments, but Christ came and fulfilled the law. As Christians we honor and respect the Old Testament as inspired by God. We learn timeless truths from it. Many of the passages in it, like about animal sacrifice, are no longer applicable, because Jesus ushered in the Age of Grace.
Paul wrote to Timothy:
2 Timothy 3:15-1715And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. - King James Version
I don’t know how it can be much clearer than that.
An example of “teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training for righteousness” is found in 2 Corinthians 6:14Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? - King James Version 2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. - King James Version. Paul quotes Scripture to preserve the holiness of believers, so that they do not mingle excessively closely with darkness and unbelievers. “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord” Leviticus 26:12And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. - King James Version Jeremiah 32:38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: - King James Version; Ezekiel 37:27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. - King James Version; Isaiah 52:11Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. - King James Version). These passages correct the Corinthian Christians (and us). The passages train them to be more righteous, which teaches us about faith and morals, which are always valid, as 2 Timothy counsels.
Verse 17: . . . so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The main thesis of this verse, seen in the two words “so that,” is for the man of God to be equipped for every good work. The examples used in our analysis of verses 16 and 17 show us this kind of equipping. The man of God not only teaches timeless faith and morals in the Old Testament to the church, but he himself walks in righteousness, after being corrected and rebuked by Scripture, if he was tempted to wander off.
Thus, we find that the central theme of the Timothy passage counsels us to learn faith and morals and universal truths about life for followers of Christ. All of these truths come directly from the Old Testament. This book is inspired by God as a promise or prophecy, which finds fulfillment in the New Testament, especially in Christ.
Part of this was taken from How Christians Benefit from The Old Testament.
February 22nd, 2007 at 8:27 pm
granted. no one is debating the legitmacy of the old testament. furthermore, there are obvious paralells throughout both testaments, therefore beneficial teachings are to be found throughout the entire bible. what im debating is your usage of both testaments to prove the practicality of war. in the old testament religious warfare via the jews is enacted because of direct divine intervention, such as signs, prophecies, dreams, and in most cases God himself. After christ came, there are still prophets but no longer does god direct his servants to engage in battle of any sort. in fact, it was the credo of christians until the 4th century b.c.e. to abstain from warfare because imagine this…it was anti-christian. several apsotles of christ were martyrs, and not in the sense that they engaged in any sort of “holy” war, and died for their cause. But rather, they would rather die than lift the sword. This is evidenced by christ rebuking peter for trying to initiate violence when judas and his men come to take Christ away. Note too, that Christ has at his disposal legions of angels, yet when the Pharisees try to stone him, what does he do? He runs. If christ is our spiritual leader, and he refused to conduct violence to spread his message, then shouldn’t we also do in kind as his followers? All your comment did was evade the previous question i posed to you. If we are supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves, then is killing your neighbor an act of love? if you can answer yes, then please do not call yourself a christian. the person that answers yes to the above question is in fact trying to justify their political aims admist their misguided spirituality.
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:30 am
You’re inconsistent in your debate point. If there is good to come from both the old and new teataments, why do you cherry pick about the biblical principles that can be applied and should be applied to something important like the war?
We can go back in history to George Washington and see that he applied it in the same manner. He was, in fact, praying at Valley Forge - there are several famous pictures of him kneeling in the woods asking God’s help. What were we fighting exactly, except government rule; the same type of government rule that was over the Iraqis that we liberated them from?
I’m going to go back now to what the bible says about the right to self defense and the purpose of government.
In Exodus 20:13, part of the Ten Commandments, we read “Thou shalt not kill” (KJV). The accurate English translation would be “You shall not murder”. This commandment does NOT forbid the taking of life under certain circumstances. A good interpretation what this commandment does mean is here:
What Are the Duties Required In the Sixth Commandment?
Answer: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting all thoughts and purposes, subduing all passions, and avoiding, all occasions, temptations, and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; by just defense thereof against violence, patient bearing of the hand of God, quietness of mind, cheerfulness of spirit; a sober use of meat, drink, physical, sleep, labour, and recreations; by charitable thoughts, love, compassion, meekness, gentleness, kindness; peaceable, mild and courteous speeches and behaviour; forbearance, readiness to be reconciled, patient bearing and forgiving of injuries, and requiting good for evil; comforting and succouring the distressed, and protecting and defending the innocent.
We are instructed to: “preserve the life of ourselves and others by resisting…” (emphasis added). This is with the wise recognition of the necessity, at times, to use defensive measures to aid others when necessary. They also say “by just defense thereof against violence.” This is a call for the legitimate use of self-defense. The Scriptures used to defend (no pun intended) this statement are Ps. 82:4; Prov. 24:11-12; 1 Sam. 14:45.
Another passage of Scripture in Exodus tells us that protecting your family and possessions by using physical force when an intruder enters your home at night is legitimate: ” If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” (Ex. 22:2-3). This passage simply means that one can defend his home and life and that of his family if a thief or intruder comes in at night and threatens them. If it is during the daylight hours and the situation is not life threatening then lethal force can NOT be used.
In 1 Samuel 13:19,22 we see what happens when individuals of a nation no longer have the equipment to make and bear arms and defend themselves, their families and their nation. An open invitation to be attacked and plundered. Is this not, in reality, what the anti-self-defense people are setting us up for?
In Nehemiah 4 we see that the Jews were instructed to defend themselves and the wall they were building from those who wanted to use any means to keep it from being built. ” They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.” (Neh. 4:17,18; KJV).
There are other Old Testament passages could be given but these ought to suffice. In the New Testament we have such passages as Luke 22:36, which says: ” Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it,and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one”. Our Lord encouraged His disciples to get protection for use in self-defense. Elsewhere in the NT we have Paul saying that one must take care of his own family [bible]1 Tim. 5:18[/bible] and, this a means defending them as well.
The New Testament does not contradict the Old Testament instruction on self-defense by saying “turn the other cheek”.
The Bible distinguishes clearly between the duties of the civil magistrate (the government) and the duties of an individual. Namely, God has delegated to the civil magistrate the administration of justice. Individuals have the responsibility of protecting there lives from attackers. Christ was referring to this distinction in the Matthew 5 passage. Let us now examine in some detail what the Scriptures say about the roles of government and of individuals. Both the Old and New Testaments teach individual self defense, even if it means taking the assailant’s life in certain circumstances.
Self Defense in the Old Testament
Exodus 22:2-3 tells us “If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.”
One conclusion which can be drawn from this is that a threat to our life is to be met with lethal force. During the day, presumably because we can recognize and later apprehend the thief if he escapes, we are not to kill him in non life-threatening circumstances.
In Proverbs 25:26 we read that “A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well.” Certainly we would be faltering before the wicked if we chose to be unarmed and unable to resist an assailant who might be threatening our life.
February 23rd, 2007 at 4:27 am
I’ve probably repeated myself here, but Christ never commanded that soldiers put down their weapons. In fact, he felt it was an honorable profession.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-4, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” A good soldier is one who does not simply do minimum duty for his Lord, but rather is one who serves Him with everything he is and has. As a Christian, that’s what you are called to. Paul’s words to Timothy are your marching orders, too, as you strive to be a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
The first mark of a good soldier is the willingness to suffer hardship with the rest of the soldiers. “Suffer hardship” literally means to suffer evil or pain along with someone else. By adding “with me,” Paul assures Timothy that he hasn’t asked anything of him that he wasn’t willing to do. In fact, Paul was writing from a prison cell.
It is singularly important that we pay attention to Paul’s comparison between the soldier in Christ and the life of a soldier. Above all professions, the Christian faith holds the soldier’s as the one that runs parallel to how a Christian should live his life.
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Some great historical comparison are made in the book “The Faith of The American Soldier”, running back to the Knights of Templar.
By ignoring all this, I have to say the leftists have fooled themselves into thinking that Christians should be not only Pacifists, but socialists. This is completely wrong. But as we’ve also seen throughout history, it’s the socialists who are talking about ’social justice’ and that sort of thing. When their ideology takes hold, the horrible reality of it is far from their utopian dream.
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:25 pm
no one is cherry picking around points. you have for a third time evaded my question!!! if i have said anything, it is that both old an new testament have beneficial information to be obtained, however we are under the new testament and there are only two commandments outlined therein. the bible is not a book of rules, but of principles. The principles outlined in the new testament are as follows to love your neighbor as yourself, and to love god with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. this is the heart of the matter…If we are supposed to love our neighbor as ourselves, then is killing your neighbor an act of love? When you can answer this, then your true heart charachter will be revealed. if you can answer yes to the above question then you have found yourself in a gordian knot. one cannot say they love their neighbor and kill them, it would be a logical fallacy. furthermore, one who tries to justify their reason for saying yes, is trying to find a paralell between some irrelevant political agenda and what the bible actually says. as for political leaders endorsing or refuting biblical principles i could care less. in my book politics have no bearing on spiritually in the least, and constitution willing, it will stay that way. in the end God does not care whether or not you were leftwing or rightwing. can you imagine the ridiculousness of explaining political leanings to an all powerful creator. Your usage of such quotes like Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-4, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus, works against you. Christ was making an illustration to show that if one wants to follow Christ then one must suffer hardship, in absolutely no uncertain terms was he endorsing war. The life of a Christian is like that of a soldier only in that, we are involved in a spirtual battle against our sinful flesh. We must “fight” unholy, unloving tendencies, not people. Christ is notorioius for saying many such things like “he who wants to follow me must pick up his torture stake.” Yet, Christ never used his enormous power to harm others, and suffered hardship until death. The taking up of arms in the name of religion and spiritually is the crime committed by humanity, in trying to resolve their selfish politics admist their infallible Gods. If God will judge the righteous and unrighteous when Christ returns, and he says “Vengeance is mine, i will repay.” then why do people feel the need to start things without him.
February 23rd, 2007 at 5:28 pm
You are not even quoting scripture, yet you expect me to listen to you on the Bible?
Give me a break. Quote chapter and verse when you’re pontificating, otherwise you’ll be relegated to the spam bucket.
You certainly are cherry picking, my friend.
The post is about Christianity and about how liberal Christianity is not referring to the bible, or referring to biblical principles. You have proven the point of the post, thanks.
Oh. And PS: Do you know nothing of paragraphs, capitalization, or spelling? I would expect that if you were going to enter a debate with me you would at least be able to appropriately hold up your end. Instead, I see a big block of goo.
February 25th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Unfortunately it is you who has no point. It is apparent that you have been reduced to harping on such irrelevant points like punctuation and the validity of paraphrasing. If you don’t know your bible well enough to know where someone is quoting from, tough break. Unlike you I chose not to prove my points by taking quotes from some book on how to reason from the scriptures. Let me ask you a question, do you have any original ideas or did they all come from some bible reasoning book? People no longer reason for themselves about spirituality, which is why they resort to what someone else says. A nation of sheep indeed. It is also clear that you have evaded my question for a fourth time, in regards to loving your neighbor as yourself. When you can actually answer someone elses question instead of talking at them, let me know. Lastly, this is a blog, not a dissertation or a lesson in syntax or grammar. As a college professor i am fully aware of the english language and its usage, contexts like these need not be overly concerned with such formalities. You’re refusal to answer my above mentioned questions and your futile and foolish attempts to link spirituality with your politics are evidence of your narrow, close-minded thinking. You see the world in terms of rightwing vs leftwing. Actually it is a world of either loving actions or unloving actions. Farewell and goodbye.
February 25th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
February 25th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
What mindless dribble….”game.set.match.” Let us not part with such bitterness. In the future i hope that you choose not to treat spiritual discussions as a game. Moreover, there is no ad hominem on my part. I wish nothing but peace and spiritual fulfillment to you.
“I always believe that it is much better to have a variety of religions, a variety of philosophies, rather than one single religion or philosophy. This is necessary because of the different mental dispositions of each human being. Each religion has certain unique ideas or techniques, and learning about them can only enrich one’s own faith.” - Dali Lama
February 25th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
The word is drivel.
It must be tough when you’re outgunned and outmatched by a conservative, lol…must make you feel kind of small and insignificant when you can’t spell properly, frame your arguments in a logical fashion, or quote the Bible when you’re talking about Bible theory.
Too bad for you.
Capitalization, punctuation and proper grammar are the requisites of demonstrating a worthy opponent and an educated mind. Too bad with all your bluster that you’re failing on impressing me on any score.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Grammar should be the least of your concerns in the context of some ridiculous blog that no one cares about. By the way, do you have a rambo complex? Your usage of terms like “outgunned” and “outmatched” in a spiritual discussion is a loving christian quality to exhibit. That you resort to calling others insignificant shows just how much christian love is running through your veins.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Actually, Paul used it, as I referred above.
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Not that I expect you to READ or anything, when you can hardly put two sentences together.
What’s the matter, you have a problem with the military? You don’t really read any of my responses, do you? You’re all about putting people down because you’re such a small minded individual - the only way you can feel good is by insulting people.
I would say 600 people a day that visit my blog would disagree with you about a ‘blog that nobody cares about’, but then you don’t link to anything, so what have you got?
NOTHING.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the solemn watchword hear;
If while ye sleep He suffers, away with shame and fear;
Where’er ye meet with evil, within you or without,
Charge for the God of battles, and put the foe to rout.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, each soldier to his post,
Close up the broken column, and shout through all the host:
Make good the loss so heavy, in those that still remain,
And prove to all around you that death itself is gain.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song.
To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
If i have insulted you in any way i apologize. It is you may i remind you that claimed that i was “SMALL” and “INSIGNIFICANT.” Christian sentiments indeed.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Boy, you really don’t do very well with the preaching thing.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Yes, they are Christian sentiments; we are all small and insignificant, and we all need God in our lives because we’re human.
But you think you’re better than everyone else, dont you? That’s why you have this need to put people down.
Nice anti-Christian bigot.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Fort Wayne, Indiana…St. Francis College. hmmmmm…..Surprising that this kind of rhetoric would be coming from someone at college, particularly with all the problems with grammar and spelling.
This is what you have to show for your college education? Shameful.
February 25th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
This is now an argument over semantics. I again, am not seeking to put you down. Futhermore, i approach you with peace and love. No bigotry to be found here. My quote from the Dali Lama should have proven that. When you called me “small” and “insignificant” you were not referring to me in terms of humanity’s relationship to God. You were insulting me, plain and simple. I leave you in peace.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
i am a professor of art here. the real shame is that you have a lack of love in you. and its suprising to find such childlike rhetoric coming from a so-called informed person.
February 25th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Well no wonder; you flunked science.
Today, we must blend the two ; art AND science.
Apparently you’re not keeping up very well with the times, Mr. Professor who forgot his elementary school grammar.