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....
Nina
Your point is.........
__________________ "I have had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it."
[QUOTE=Sissy;234115]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?
"Thou shalt do no murder."
I served in combat in Vietnam, without a weapon, therefore I didn't kill anyone. I'm not totally sure that was a just war, however, if they come over here and attack my homeland, I'm armed and dangerous.
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."
Nina
I read that book too! Very interesting and disturbing. Those tribes that the missionary was trying to reach is what I am trying to convey. Do those tribes know of the one and true living God without the missionaries bringing knowlegde to them? Of course they believe in idol gods. And if they don't know God, what happens to those people if they perish before a missionary can give knowledge to them? According to the missionary statement that you wrote above, he believed they would be lost. But my question is, are they lost if they do not have any knowledge of God? How can they be judged?
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.
The Apostle Paul addressed this when he said that the pagans had the Law written in their hearts:
The UPC manual says members should not serve the military in any capacity that would involve killing. You can serve but not kill. To many, it would be dependent on the circumstances of the conflict. Like some said, when attacked you defend. Also, the terms American patriot and Confederate soldier is redundant.
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?
It is clear that killing as put forth in the Ten Commandments did not mean killing in self defense or killing in war as the representative of a just government.
I say this is clear because at the same time the ten commandments were in place as God's moral law God instructed the Children of Israel to kill their enemies many times.
If you had been given the chance to lead Saddam Hussein to salvation (use as many steps as you need - and there's a big tank of water handy!), the day before he was to hang, would you?
Does it make you sad to know that nobody actually did this?
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
It is clear that killing as put forth in the Ten Commandments did not mean killing in self defense or killing in war as the representative of a just government.
I say this is clear because at the same time the ten commandments were in place as God's moral law God instructed the Children of Israel to kill their enemies many times.
You sure you want to use the Bible as a guide for our military?
God's army was often told to kill the women and children, not just the enemy soldiers. Once, they were told to kill everyone except the young girls, who were to be kept for themselves. Another time, they were instructed to rape the women of the conquered city.
These things would result in court martials today, not to mention public outrage.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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