Authority and Conviction Issue

[apostolee]

My brother is in the military. He is currently serving in Iraq. He is in infantry. Thank God he doesn't see too much action. I was wondering... he is under authority of his commanders. He also doesn't believe in murder. When he or his platoon come under fire, he has to respond appropriately of course. When he has orders to secure a building and kill lets say... is that murder? Honest question folks...I've been thinking of joining myself and wonder at it also.

[Amanah]

In the OT God sent people to war all the time.
So I don't think there is a moral dilema.

The real problem is what is it going to do to your mental state;
people come home from war messed up.

Sometimes physically, deffinately mentally.

Vote for Ron Paul, lets bring all the troops home.

That being said, he (your brother) better be ready to kill the enemy and defend himself and his buddies.

To you I would say, please don't go.

[Austin]

My brother is in the military. He is currently serving in Iraq. He is in infantry. Thank God he doesn't see too much action. I was wondering... he is under authority of his commanders. He also doesn't believe in murder. When he or his platoon come under fire, he has to respond appropriately of course. When he has orders to secure a building and kill lets say... is that murder? Honest question folks...I've been thinking of joining myself and wonder at it also.


You know, Jesus has not called, us to war, He has called us to be at peace with all men. There are on this earth those who kill and hate us for what we believe. During the ages of the past, those who died for the testimony of the Lord jesus did not fight back.
We need to remember what Jesus said to Peter," He that lives by the sword shall die by the sword" Lets not put ourselves in that position to where Satan might have the permission to cause us harm.
Pray for your brother that he may return safely and in good health.

[Jermyn Davidson]

My brother is in the military. He is currently serving in Iraq. He is in infantry. Thank God he doesn't see too much action. I was wondering... he is under authority of his commanders. He also doesn't believe in murder. When he or his platoon come under fire, he has to respond appropriately of course. When he has orders to secure a building and kill lets say... is that murder? Honest question folks...I've been thinking of joining myself and wonder at it also.

Ecclesiastes 3:8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


The first Gentile convert to Christianity was a military man.

The scriptures make several allusions to physical war when describing spiritual realities. Why might you ask? Because there are wicked men with wicked intents, sometimes the only response is war.

There isn't anywhere in the Bible where God has condemned war in itself.

It is with confidence that I state that killing done in the act of physical war is completely different from murder.

[TGBTG]

Ecclesiastes 3:8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


The first Gentile convert to Christianity was a military man.

The scriptures make several allusions to physical war when describing spiritual realities. Why might you ask? Because there are wicked men with wicked intents, sometimes the only response is war.

There isn't anywhere in the Bible where God has condemned war in itself.

It is with confidence that I state that killing done in the act of physical war is completely different from murder.

Consider this scenario my brethren:

Soldier 1 from country 1 goes to war. Soldier 1 happens to be a Christian.
Country 2 is at war with Country 1.
Soldier 2 from Country 2 goes to fight for his country against Country 1.
Soldier 2 also happens to be a christian.

So now we have 2 christians fighting themselves for the cause of their individual countries. Soldier 1 kills soldier 2 during battle.

Do you think Christ will be happy that christians are killing themselves for earthly countries?

Also, let's consider this:
Imagine the Romans fighting against the Corinthians. Do you think Paul would have admonished the Roman Christians to go and fight in a war knowing that Corinthian christians would also be in the war?

Just my $0.02

[NorCal]

There is a difference between killing someone in the time of war, and being put to death out of persecution of your religious beliefs.

This is how a Christian man should act in the time of war.
http://www.apostolicnews.org/2011/08/pentecostal-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan-attack/

He layed down his life for a fellow soldier.

[Praxeas]

My brother is in the military. He is currently serving in Iraq. He is in infantry. Thank God he doesn't see too much action. I was wondering... he is under authority of his commanders. He also doesn't believe in murder. When he or his platoon come under fire, he has to respond appropriately of course. When he has orders to secure a building and kill lets say... is that murder? Honest question folks...I've been thinking of joining myself and wonder at it also.
Killing and Murder are not the same thing

Under the law the were required at times to kill but murder was illegal. It was the unlawful taking of a life

I think a bigger issue for Christians is whether or not the killing of any life is moral or ethical in context of being a Christian

Many Christians, for this reason, are pacifists

[Dagwood]

If he made the choice to enlist, knowing he could face circumstances involving killing someone, yet he has a strong enough conviction against it, he needs to discharge himself (if he's able to at some point) or wait his time out without re-enlisting.

I just have to wonder, though, if the enemy was charging him with the intent to kill, how would he respond?

[Arphaxad]

I don't understand why anyone would be in the infantry if they weren't prepared to kill, this coming from someone that was in the infantry.
I guess I could see someone having questions if they were converted after they enlisted.

:doggyrun

[acerrak]

Did not God raise up babylon, Does not God stil lraise up nations to carry out his judgments?

The answer is yes.

and if these men and women did not defend this country. chances are you wouldnt have the freedom to worship openly.

I suggest you all read the book tortured for Christ.

Our lives could be like that unless these men and women didnt fight for it.

Judah defended herself, why cant america do the same