Quote:
Originally Posted by Orthodoxy
In the case of capital punishment (which seems to be mandated in Genesis 9:6), some human being has to actually flip the switch to the electric chair.
Is the flip switcher guy now guilty of murder? Or is he lawfully "bearing the sword" of the state as in Romans 13? The same logic can be applied to the military, police, FBI, etc.
However, this is still a sticky issue. For example, were the Nazi soldiers innocent when they obeyed orders to slaughter Jews in the Holocaust? This is where the "just war theory" comes into play. |
The Second World War may very well have been the last "just war" that America has been involved.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Some of these posts are pretty interesting. Houston, I didn't realize I was a republican until you pointed it out! LOL
We each have our "calling". Actually, some believers make excellent (gasp)soldiers. (I'm thinking the one with the greatest faith Jesus ever saw, or um, Cornelius. They didn't become officers
because they were pacifists but because they were warriors.
Apparently, God doesn't have a "one size fits all" approach to the military.
I remember having a similar conversation eons ago in bible school. Some classmates were creating scenarios talking about defending the home, our wives, etc. One fellow piped up and said that if he had "enough faith" nothing would happen. (I think Sudan has shown us the folly of this kind of position.) I didn't realize that a
gun clinger is one that believes in defending his country! This pacifistic attitude is suicidal, whether it's towards an invading country or a intruding rapist.
I guess I'm like Popeye...IyamwutIyam, and if called to defend this country, I would serve. I've also got a hollow point for someone that breaks into my home to harm my family. It's all in degree.
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