I have a question. If the atomic bombs were dropped in 1945 on both Hiroshima, and Nagasaki; then why would God punish this generation of Americans for what the previous generation had done? If it were so wrong, I believe that God would've judged that generation, not this one. What proof does JW have that the previous generation was or wasn't judged? Of course, this question applies to anyone who can answer it, but I'd really like to see Chris answer.
Bro. Eastman,
I personally don’t believe that God would punish this generation of Americans for what the previous generation has done. However, I do think God would punish us for an attitude of superiority and hubris, proudly touting the horrible things we had to do as something wonderful and good.
I think the war we are currently in is a judgment against the carnality of the American CHURCH. God is focused upon his people. But the church is failing in her mission and the nation is at stake. God will judge sin. God isn’t concerned with a “Christian government”…he wants a Christian people. We are failing to reach our country. God is letting us know he isn’t going to wait much longer. We have to reach our communities with the gospel before it’s too late. That’s the only thing that will stay the hand of God. And it has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican. It has to do with reconciling men to God through the preached gospel. I think less that 1% of Americans are Apostolic. And we want to argue over television and the standards of our self righteousness. Dude….God isn’t playing.
We’re more political than spiritual. Thanks to our marriage to Dominionism. More people will vote Republican in elections than go door knocking within the next four years.
That’s the problem as I see it.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
Please present physical violence, use of lethal force, revolution, and/or war as being advocated or presented by example among those living under the New Covenant in the New Testament Church. Please commit to not posting until you do. That will settle the issue.
The question above is misleading, but in another post, you asked if Jesus would tell His servants to fight.
I present the following scripture.
Jesus speaking--
Lu 22:36
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Why would he tell people to buy a sword, to filet their fish with???
His disciples even carried swords. Not once did Jesus tell them to get rid of it.
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I've gone and done it now! I'm on Facebook!!!
Chris, I do see your concern. with respect, I disagree with your end conclusion. I do not believe that Christians can afford to simply step aside and do nothing.
Christians do better to pray for all involved than to pick sides and kill for the interests of worldly powers. It may be that America experienced victories that spared live on account of Christians objecting to combat and praying for all involved.
Quote:
let me ask you this. If you feel so strongly about it, how then do you participate in the political arena at all?
I typically vote Republican I just have this feeling down in my soul that a Republican victory will be very bad for our nation. When it comes to candidates I value honesty and sincerety over rather the politician has checked all the boxes on some test we give them on the issues. I feel Obama (though I definately have some disagreements with him, his church, and even his pastor) is the most sincere of those running. Hillary is largely concerned with reviving American prosperity and perpetuating the Clinton legacy. McCain strike me as a man who is a hireling of corporate lobbyists.
So I feel that I would do best by my own heart to vote for Obama. But...some things do give me pause and as more and more is revealed about all candidates I reserve the right to change my mind. But I'm nearly certain that I will not vote for McCain.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
Biblically speaking, don't judgments of this sort to nations happen only AFTER a prophetic warning to the nations? Those judgments were recorded. The only judgments I know of for a fact are God's ordained are those in the bible
I think God warned us during the Clinton Presidency but it went unheard by most.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
The question above is misleading, but in another post, you asked if Jesus would tell His servants to fight.
I present the following scripture.
Jesus speaking--
Lu 22:36
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Why would he tell people to buy a sword, to filet their fish with???
His disciples even carried swords. Not once did Jesus tell them to get rid of it.
In our modern world we think of a sword as something to kill with. However, in the ancient world it was used to protect one's self on perilous journeys. Traveling long expanses of wilderness presented dangers ranging from lions to bears in biblical times. Christ's statement may also have been a figure of speech indicating that the time was coming when the disciples would face fearce opposition to their preaching the gospe. This would explain why when they left to literally obey him and brought two swords Jesus said, "It is enough." It's possible that they misunderstood him as was pretty common with them. Jesus rebuked Peter strongly for using the sword against another person and instead sought to heal the man Peter was willing to engage in mortal combat with. When the details are considered one is hard pressed to demonstrate that Jesus wanted them to pack swords to slice up the Romans. Besides...two was enough in Christ's eyes. It's unclear as to if Jesus meant that the two swords were enough for the group of twelve, sufficient to protect them from beasts as they traveled or if the statement, "It is enough." is aimed at restraining their actions as though they misunderstood him. If viewed in this way Christ's words, "It is enough.", would be a strong indicator that they were to leave the swords alone. However, Peter, in his carnality, chose to secretely carry a sword with him. Well intentioned of course, intending to defend Jesus and protect him from what was indeed his mission...which was to die for mankind.
Hense we see carnal reasoning and the useage of violence contrasted with the surrender of God's will and purpose no matter how dreadful.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
Christians do better to pray for all involved than to pick sides and kill for the interests of worldly powers. It may be that America experienced victories that spared live on account of Christians objecting to combat and praying for all involved.
I typically vote Republican I just have this feeling down in my soul that a Republican victory will be very bad for our nation. When it comes to candidates I value honesty and sincerety over rather the politician has checked all the boxes on some test we give them on the issues. I feel Obama (though I definately have some disagreements with him, his church, and even his pastor) is the most sincere of those running. Hillary is largely concerned with reviving American prosperity and perpetuating the Clinton legacy. McCain strike me as a man who is a hireling of corporate lobbyists.
So I feel that I would do best by my own heart to vote for Obama. But...some things do give me pause and as more and more is revealed about all candidates I reserve the right to change my mind. But I'm nearly certain that I will not vote for McCain.
While we dont agree, I respect your honsty in the answer here about who you are voting for and why, but that isnt my question.
the argument you have been making about what our role as Christians is, seems at odds with being involved politically at all.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
Al Queda and Bin Laden were threatening us quite a bit under Clinton's watch. There was a story about an FBI agent, John O'Neil who was trying desperately to prove the threat these guys posed to the US...but his warnings when unheeded and they actually shut down his investigation. He later left the FBI and became security at the WTC. Ironically...he died in the 9/11 attacks. He never knew it...but he was fighting to save his own life. It's a true but facinating and disturbing story. Check it out if you have high speed internet....
A line in the spiritual journey of our nation was crossed on 9/11. Regardless as to who becomes President I feel in my spirit things don't look bright for our nation.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
While we dont agree, I respect your honsty in the answer here about who you are voting for and why, but that isnt my question.
the argument you have been making about what our role as Christians is, seems at odds with being involved politically at all.
I personally see and accept Christian participation in all matters accept in the personal act of taking a life. I was a medic. I understand risking one's life in service to one's country. But to participate on such a level as to serving specifically for the sole purpose of taking life...I object.
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"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (English Standard Version)
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