Couple of questions...would like your opinions
 

We had a man that was a guest at one of our Home Fellowship Meeting ask the following question?

Can a Christian that is in the military kill the enemy?
He wanted the answer to that because of the Ten Commandments "Thou shall not kill".

Any takers on this?

Also, another question he asked was this.

What happens to the person when they die, if they did not hear the gospel. How would they be judged? Are they only judged on the knowledge that they have of God?

(Should I have started another thread with this question or is it ok?)

Any takers on this?

If the military question relies on the 10 commandments, the best reading of it would be thou shall not commit murder. Killing the enemy was a righteous thing in the OT.

2 Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

There isn't a broad sweeping answer to this one; it must be decided on an individual basis. Some of Christianity has decided that killing another human is never justified. The American patriots and the Confederate soldiers all decided that it was more righteous to defeat an enemy for the greater good.

Generally and historically speaking, "Christian" thought on the topic hasn't been recorded by Holy-Ghost-Filled believers with the revelation of the oneness.

The articles of faith of the UPC state (paraphrasing) that UPC members should be patriotic, support and serve in the military in non-combatant roles, so long as the government and/or the military do not ask them to violate their conscience.

I would tell the guy he needs to pray about it, and that the prevailing apostolic notion toward military service is to avoid combat roles.

All men are born with a spark of the voice of God within them. We call this our conscience. Heathen peoples will be judged by their works according to their conscience. People who are considered 'hard-hearted' are people who have learned or been trained to no longer hear the voice of their conscience. The Law was written for such people, and the Law, the conscience, and the words of Jesus himself all agree in their goal: We don't call this the "Golden Rule" for nothing. :winkgrin

The Apostle Paul addressed this when he said that the pagans had the Law written in their hearts:

I propose this question to that man.

If a man is in the process of doing your family harm. The only alternative is to kill the man. Is that man, a thief and robber, any different than a opposing army member on foreign land?

Like the Amish man who told the man in this instance while holding a gun- "Sir, I would do thee no harm, but thou standeth where I am about to shoot!"
:hunter

The ten commandments are in reference to murder and not justifiable killing. Didn't the children of Israel fight and kill?

What happens if they die without a knowledge of God? The trouble is that Romans 1 states that all men have a knowledge of God. Also, all men reject that knowledge until Christ moves upon their hearts.

I agree!

I reject the notion of a Light Doctrine allowing one to be saved. In the days of Noah, only 8 were saved.

Many knew of the Ark, but did not heed the warning to get IN the ark.

Good responses so far- enjoy reading them...

I have the utmost respect for our men and women that are in or ever was in the military. I know it isn't for everyone, but I'm so glad that someone can do it! Because of their service, we have various freedoms in this country. God bless them all!

I know we are created to worship something/being and those of us in America and other countries are fortunate to hear about God somewhere along life's journey, but would that be the case for those in the deepest jungles in the third world? Do they hear about the only one true living God? Has missionaries reached everyone before death has taken them?

What happens when someone has just started their journey to live for God and before they can complete all the steps of salvation - they die?

I'm the wrong one to answer this question.......

Sister,

When Steve Saint (Author of End of the Spear) asked his Missionary Dad why he didn't carry a weapon while trying to befriend a violent tribe,
his reply was," Son if they kill us we're ready to meet Jesus, but if we kill them they're not."

When Governor Bradford (Plymouth Ma) was told that some of his men killed some Indians he said, "I wish You'd converted them first."

Something on which to chew....:nah

Nina