tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279128.post5803498688603808966..comments2022-11-19T09:12:57.640-06:00Comments on Cowan Chronicles: The Nobility of SoldieringSteve Cowanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075683279641891756noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279128.post-82922789330408698182010-01-15T07:27:18.618-06:002010-01-15T07:27:18.618-06:00I will be the first person to say that violence sh...I will be the first person to say that violence should always be the <b>last</b> resort of the practicing Christian. But living without violence is pretty much impossible. Even Jesus got angry at injustice, and anyone who suggests that Jesus taught pure pacifism has a job to do in reconciling that fact. Furthermore, if you have a problem with men and women serving in the military, or the idea that God would ever promote violence, I would <i>love</i> to hear your thoughts on Numbers 31. O_o<br /><br /> -- TopherGoldenfoxxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09142712517512640489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279128.post-78328507028902891592009-12-21T00:02:20.186-06:002009-12-21T00:02:20.186-06:00Holy Spirit,
Guide Brother Steve into truth about ...Holy Spirit,<br />Guide Brother Steve into truth about non-violent spiritual activism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279128.post-67066412274058897572009-12-12T16:57:12.501-06:002009-12-12T16:57:12.501-06:00Thank you from the wife of a "Christian soldi...Thank you from the wife of a "Christian soldier" who is also a soldier who is Christian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279128.post-53429146683589306472009-11-25T21:39:36.450-06:002009-11-25T21:39:36.450-06:00Thanks to the Militant Pacifist for his comment. ...Thanks to the Militant Pacifist for his comment. I have to disagree with you, of course. I believe that you have misquoted or misused the text from Luke 3:14. John the Baptist did NOT say to the soldiers "Do violence to no man." He said, rather, "Take money from non man by violence." The Greek verb has to do explicitly with the idea of extortion, a practice that soldiers with no scruples did. This is supported and clarified by the following command: "Be content with your pay." What pay? Their army pay, of course! It could not be clearer that John was not exhorting these soldiers to give up soldiering, but to keep on solidering honestly and faithfully.<br /><br />So, I have to reject the first premise of your syllogism. The Bible, not only in the Luke 3 text, but from Genesis to Revelation, permits Christians to serve as soldiers. Which means that it is not always wrong for Christians to do violence. What's more, I think your second premise is flawed, too. Though a soldier is trained to do violence and may be called upon in some circumstances to do violence, that is not his <i>ultimate</i> job. His ultimate job is to do <i>justice</i> (Rom. 13:3-4, etc.) Violence is simply sometimes (but not always) the God-appointed means to that end.Steve Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07075683279641891756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12279128.post-24516618756468280902009-11-15T20:19:54.729-06:002009-11-15T20:19:54.729-06:00Steve,
I'm concerned by your observation that...Steve,<br /><br />I'm concerned by your observation that "soldiering" could possibly be a noble profession for a Christian.<br /><br />The contention that a Christian may righteously serve as a soldier is not by any means a “given.” <br /><br />This notion may be uncomfortable for some who have either served in the military, or had beloved relatives whom they have considered heroic because they served in the military. Be that as it may - let truth reign.<br /><br />Of course there is the matter of unchristian oath taking, which would forbid some (of sensitive conscience) from swearing to defend the constitution (in today’s American political climate this has denigrated into a promise to invade whatever country the current administration has a beef with). <br /><br />I have a strong (I believe "Christian") bias against oaths and pledges, but I believe there is a stronger reason why the notion that a Christian may righteously serve as a soldier is not a “given.”<br /><br />Your commendation of "soldiering" endorses the idea that Jesus (i.e., God) did not forbid service in the killer corps, but the analysis may be shortsighted.<br /><br />There was a prophet (John, the baptizer) of whom God (Jesus Christ) said “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11).” Apparently, the Lord Jesus Christ had a very high regard for John.<br /><br />One day some soldiers came to John and asked him, “what shall we do? (Luke 13:14).”<br /><br />John’s answer is instructive. He answers them, “do violence to no man.”<br /><br />Violence is the soldier’s business, so what he (John) is really saying to them is “find another job.”<br /><br />So here is a syllogism...<br /><br />Major Premise: Christians should not be violent<br />Minor Premise: The ultimate job of a soldier is to do violence<br />Conclusion: A Christian should not be a soldier<br /><br />This was the consensus of the Church fathers and the practice of Christians until the Constantinian creation of “Christendom” (for more on this, see "nonviolence in the ancient Church and Christian <br />obedience, at [http://s3.amazonaws.com/tgc-documents/journal-issues/33.1/Themelios_33.1.pdf]).The Militant Pacifisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13114020353418814651noreply@blogger.com