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  #1  
Old 01-02-2013, 02:47 PM
Pliny Pliny is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple View Post
Interesting teaching James gave us:

5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton ; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold , the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh . James 5:5-8

He says the wicked kill the just and they do not fight back. He admonishes the just to be patient until the coming of the Lord. The common Christian wisdom would have said buy yourselves AK'S or AR'S. Dont you know Jesus expects you to defend yourselves? Why did James say what he said?

Are we in a different class of Christian than they were? Or were they real Apostolic disciples of Yeshua?

Who are we?
Is James speaking of religious persecution or someone breaking and entering?

It sounds to me like religious persecution from the likes of Saul before he was Paul. Jesus told his disciples to go and buy a sword. Peter carried one to Gethsemane and apparently Jesus did not tell him "no". Peter had it and even felt he could justifiably use it - this after listening to the Beattitudes and the many things Jesus taught for three and a half years.

Jesus healed the ear of Malchus and told Peter to put up his sword. This religious persecution was the will of God at that moment - Jesus had to go to Calvary.

There is a difference between living by the sword and having one to protect your family etc. James called for patience in the face of religious persecution. Self defense is a right codified even in the Mosaic Law - it is one of the most fundamental and basic human rights humanity has. Should a person defend themselves against a wild animal? I say absolutely and even when men act like animals I will defend my loved one's. If this offends someone's "Christian sensibilities" I say get away from the sloppy agape koolaid. I believe Nehemiah had the right idea. Build the wall but be ready to defend yourself against the animalistic tendencies of fallen man.
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Old 01-02-2013, 04:53 PM
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Michael The Disciple Michael The Disciple is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Pliny View Post
Is James speaking of religious persecution or someone breaking and entering?

It sounds to me like religious persecution from the likes of Saul before he was Paul. Jesus told his disciples to go and buy a sword. Peter carried one to Gethsemane and apparently Jesus did not tell him "no". Peter had it and even felt he could justifiably use it - this after listening to the Beattitudes and the many things Jesus taught for three and a half years.

Jesus healed the ear of Malchus and told Peter to put up his sword. This religious persecution was the will of God at that moment - Jesus had to go to Calvary.

There is a difference between living by the sword and having one to protect your family etc. James called for patience in the face of religious persecution. Self defense is a right codified even in the Mosaic Law - it is one of the most fundamental and basic human rights humanity has. Should a person defend themselves against a wild animal? I say absolutely and even when men act like animals I will defend my loved one's. If this offends someone's "Christian sensibilities" I say get away from the sloppy agape koolaid. I believe Nehemiah had the right idea. Build the wall but be ready to defend yourself against the animalistic tendencies of fallen man.
Yes Peter had a sword and carried it. I carry a 357Sig at times. I dont believe that is wrong. I also see that at that moment it was Gods will for Jesus to be taken to the cross. Jesus didnt want Peter to stop that nor did he wish to see Peter killed.

Next thing to consider. The book of Revelation shows that multitudes of Christians are going to die for their testimony and because they keep the Lords commands. The reasoning of Jesus to Peter was if I were delivered from this mob how would the scriptures be fulfilled?

So if Christians take arms to defend themselves by first killing the bad guys THEN how would those prophecies be fulfilled?

Actually what apostle James referred to when he said "you kill the just and he does not resist you" was not speaking of religous persecution but rather how the rich treat the poor.

Do you keep the Sabbath Day? It is also coded in the law of Moses. Are we under Moses or Jesus?
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  #3  
Old 01-02-2013, 10:03 PM
Pliny Pliny is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple View Post
Yes Peter had a sword and carried it. I carry a 357Sig at times. I dont believe that is wrong. I also see that at that moment it was Gods will for Jesus to be taken to the cross. Jesus didnt want Peter to stop that nor did he wish to see Peter killed.

Next thing to consider. The book of Revelation shows that multitudes of Christians are going to die for their testimony and because they keep the Lords commands. The reasoning of Jesus to Peter was if I were delivered from this mob how would the scriptures be fulfilled?

So if Christians take arms to defend themselves by first killing the bad guys THEN how would those prophecies be fulfilled?

Actually what apostle James referred to when he said "you kill the just and he does not resist you" was not speaking of religous persecution but rather how the rich treat the poor.

Do you keep the Sabbath Day? It is also coded in the law of Moses. Are we under Moses or Jesus?
Apparently you have missed one of the points I have made - that is there is a difference between religious persecution and a robber.

Yes I keep the Sabbath though not in the way you may think - another thread perhaps.

As to the Mosaic Law it is still in effect. Christ did not destroy the Law He fulfilled the Law, another big difference. Adultery is still sin for an example.

When a person has faith and repents, is baptized in Jesus name for the forgiveness of sins and receives the Holy Ghost they have passed from the Law to Grace. We have a choice in this life. Choose to accept the work of Calvary or choose to stand by our own works.

BTW don't worry about scripture will be fulfilled. It will... There are few true Christians in the world and this govt. has the power to slaughter every one in this country if it chose to. Ruby Ridge or Waco all prove the govt. will do what it wants to do and no one can stop it. When the time comes for that scripture to be fulfilled rest assured it will regardless of any self defense mechanisms.

James 5:6
Adam Clarke
Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you - Several by τον δικαιον, the just one, understand Jesus Christ, who is so called, Act_3:14; Act_7:52; Act_22:14; but the structure of the sentence, and the connection in which it stands, seem to require that we should consider this as applying to the just or righteous in general, who were persecuted and murdered by those oppressive rich men; and their death was the consequence of their dragging them before the judgment seats, Jam_2:6, where, having no influence, and none to plead their cause, they were unjustly condemned and executed.

And he doth not resist you. - In this, as in τον δικαιον, the just, there is an enallege of the singular for the plural number. And in the word ουκ αντιτασσεται, he doth not resist, the idea is included of defense in a court of justice. These poor righteous people had none to plead their cause; and if they had it would have been useless, as their oppressors had all power and all influence, and those who sat on these judgment seats were lost to all sense of justice and right. Some think that he doth not resist you should be referred to God; as if he had said, God permits you to go on in this way at present, but he will shortly awake to judgment, and destroy you as enemies of truth and righteousness.


JFB
he doth not resist you — The very patience of the Just one is abused by the wicked as an incentive to boldness in violent persecution, as if they may do as they please with impunity. God doth “resist the proud” (Jam_4:6); but Jesus as man, “as a sheep is dumb before the shearers, so He opened not His mouth”: so His people are meek under persecution. The day will come when God will resist (literally, “set Himself in array against”) His foes and theirs.
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Old 01-03-2013, 02:41 PM
Aquila Aquila is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Pliny View Post
Apparently you have missed one of the points I have made - that is there is a difference between religious persecution and a robber.
A false dichotomy implying situational ethics.
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Old 01-04-2013, 11:00 AM
Pliny Pliny is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Aquila View Post
A false dichotomy implying situational ethics.
Bologna. There is a world of difference between religious persecution and someone breaking and entering.
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Old 01-04-2013, 11:03 AM
Aquila Aquila is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Pliny View Post
Bologna. There is a world of difference between religious persecution and someone breaking and entering.
There isn't a world of difference between obedience and disobedience. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, the idea of a difference sounds like situational ethics. We're to do harm to no man, turn the other cheek, not fear those who can kill the body, never render evil for evil, or even resist evil... unless it's a doped up kid breaking into our house at 2am.

Doesn't make much sense to me.

Please understand, I dont' advocate sitting idily by and doing nothing if one's family is in danger. If at all possible I believe that it is perfectly ethical for a Christian to employ non-lethal measures to protect self and family. It seems like when we talk self-defense... we instantly think of guns and blowing somebody away. Maybe that's a symptom of our culture. But a Christian can ethically resort to the following:
*divine intervention - Depending on God to deliver miraculously.
*escape - Fleeing from the source of danger.
*ruse - Out smarting or using trickery to escape or to be released without injury.
*nonlethal force - Using non-lethal physical force to subdue an attacker to prevent injury to others including the attacker themselves.
*moral disarming - Speaking to the attacker with an appeal to conscience securing safety and release.
*martyrdom - Dying with the word of Jesus on your lips without inflicting injury or harm to the attacker.
And on the flip side of the subject... I'd not criminalize guns. I believe in gun rights. In addition, I'd not agree with prosecuting someone who did use lethal force to protect their family. One has the right to use lethal force. But to me... as a Christian... I believe we should strive for a higher, more Christlike, ethic.

Last edited by Aquila; 01-04-2013 at 11:08 AM.
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Old 01-04-2013, 12:08 PM
Pliny Pliny is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Aquila View Post
There isn't a world of difference between obedience and disobedience. In my opinion, and I could be wrong, the idea of a difference sounds like situational ethics. We're to do harm to no man, turn the other cheek, not fear those who can kill the body, never render evil for evil, or even resist evil... unless it's a doped up kid breaking into our house at 2am.

Doesn't make much sense to me.

Please understand, I dont' advocate sitting idily by and doing nothing if one's family is in danger. If at all possible I believe that it is perfectly ethical for a Christian to employ non-lethal measures to protect self and family. It seems like when we talk self-defense... we instantly think of guns and blowing somebody away. Maybe that's a symptom of our culture. But a Christian can ethically resort to the following:
*divine intervention - Depending on God to deliver miraculously.
*escape - Fleeing from the source of danger.
*ruse - Out smarting or using trickery to escape or to be released without injury.
*nonlethal force - Using non-lethal physical force to subdue an attacker to prevent injury to others including the attacker themselves.
*moral disarming - Speaking to the attacker with an appeal to conscience securing safety and release.
*martyrdom - Dying with the word of Jesus on your lips without inflicting injury or harm to the attacker.
And on the flip side of the subject... I'd not criminalize guns. I believe in gun rights. In addition, I'd not agree with prosecuting someone who did use lethal force to protect their family. One has the right to use lethal force. But to me... as a Christian... I believe we should strive for a higher, more Christlike, ethic.

It is not situational ethics. This may help you understand "situational ethics":
http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/si...nal-ethics.htm

It is not a question of obedience vs disobedience or that coin can be flipped and stated as you are the man of the house act like one. In obedience one should, as the protector of the family, protect them in obedience and disobedience would be allow the violence to happen then blame it on God because you "trusted Him" and He failed you.

We are to live peaceably with all men as much as lies in us. No one here is advocating going out and using injustice as an excuse for violence. It is self defense when all else fails - when push comes to shove. A man is a "husbandman" where we get the word husband. Like a farmer who cultivates the soil and protects to garden from the violence of animals the husband is to cultivate the family and protect it from the violence of this world. It is hypocrisy to argue that it is okay to protect the family from a wild animal and watch as men acting like animals do the same and/or worse and do nothing. Being a Christian does not mean being a limp wristed do nothing. Sometimes you have to take a whip out and cleanse the house.

As to the use of force I do not think I ever stated anything about deadly force. I have simply stated "self defense". I am not opposed to weapons (guns) or the ownership of such though I currently own none. I may in the future but as for now I don't own one. I do have some knives and a few other instruments but no guns. Well I take that back. I just made a marshmallow gun and plan to have a marshmallow war with the youth tonight. Not much good for self defense though unless the burglar is allergic to marshmallows... I agree with non lethal use of force unless there are no alternatives.

I believe God has given to all creatures the basic fundamental right of self defense. This is played out in nature every day as the hunted seek to defend themselves when there is no other recourse available.
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Old 01-03-2013, 10:37 AM
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trialedbyfire trialedbyfire is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple View Post
Yes Peter had a sword and carried it. I carry a 357Sig at times. I dont believe that is wrong. I also see that at that moment it was Gods will for Jesus to be taken to the cross. Jesus didnt want Peter to stop that nor did he wish to see Peter killed.

Next thing to consider. The book of Revelation shows that multitudes of Christians are going to die for their testimony and because they keep the Lords commands. The reasoning of Jesus to Peter was if I were delivered from this mob how would the scriptures be fulfilled?

So if Christians take arms to defend themselves by first killing the bad guys THEN how would those prophecies be fulfilled?

Actually what apostle James referred to when he said "you kill the just and he does not resist you" was not speaking of religous persecution but rather how the rich treat the poor.

Do you keep the Sabbath Day? It is also coded in the law of Moses. Are we under Moses or Jesus?
Christian men ought to have a right and the ability to defend their children from murderers. This is a principle that is backed up in the United States constitution and is currently the law of the land. Christians also however must according to scripture follow the law of the land. They are already pushing for gun control in ways I've never seen since the Connecticut tragedy. They will come for our guns, there will be gun control in America. There will be persecution of Christians coming soon.
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Old 01-03-2013, 02:40 PM
Aquila Aquila is offline
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Re: Guns: An Important Discussion

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Originally Posted by Pliny View Post
Is James speaking of religious persecution or someone breaking and entering?
False dichotomy. It's not about persecution verses a criminal act perpetrated against you. It's about one thing only in all circumstances... obedience to Christ. Obedience even unto death if need be. Be they a unit of a persecuting police force... or some dumb, doped up, and armed 20-something breaking in your home to rob you blind.
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