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pastorfrin
Member



Joined: 2006/1/19
Posts: 1406


 We Need to Talk About Peace

We Need to Talk About Peace
by Scott Via

** ** ** ** ** **
"We are called to be Christ-like, and to follow Christ's teachings. But
we avoid talking about it and agree to disagree. We need to discuss it
very openly, and do it peacefully."
** ** ** ** ** **

I grew up in the Mennonite Church. I heard peace taught as a kid, but
just thought that was one of those Mennonite things. I went into the
Marine Corps at age 21, mostly because I was looking for adventure and
something meaningful to do. I knew the church wouldn't like it. They put
me on the inactive members list. I don't know if it was because I went
into the military or because I wasn't there anymore, but I understood.

After I got out of the Marines, I came straight back to Virginia. After
some time, I became more active in the church again. I read the
Confession of Faith and the referenced Bible verses. At the same time, I was
observing what was going on around me ?the fervor for war. I saw it on
TV, and I saw it among everyday people I met. And I reflected on what I
had experienced in the Marine Corps. I talked with my grandmother and
others. I came to finally realize that this belief is not just a
Mennonite idea. The more I read, the more I became convicted.

I am now fully convinced that a Christian cannot go to war. Peace is a
theme all through the Bible. We are called to be Christ-like, and to
follow Christ's teachings. But we avoid talking about it and agree to
disagree. We need to discuss it very openly, and do it peacefully. Our
beliefs can't be determined by personalities like Rush Limbaugh, or
politicians. Some Christians think I'm crazy. I've actually found that
veterans who are Christian are usually easier to talk to, because they have
seen what war is like.

I'm proud that our country has been gracious enough in providing the
opportunity for conscientious objection in recent times. I?d like to talk
to anyone who is now considering going into the military, whether or
not they are a Christian. If they are a Christian, we can study the
biblical teachings. I encourage them to not sign up until they have had time
to give it some thought and prayer. Even if someone is not Christian,
I'd like to talk to them before they go. Even if I don't talk them out
of it, I can at least give them some warning about what it is really
like.

I think that our Mennonite churches need to stop being so quiet about
peace. If we all are God's children, then we need to stop following what
politics and TV tell us. We need to concentrate within our
congregations and communities to be a witness like Jesus Christ asks us to be.

Scott Via

Lynside Mennonite Church, Lyndhurst, Va.

Please post responses or questions at
www.thirdway.com/talk

Any comments? Sounds like a good idea to me, and
I speak as one who stoped a bullet in 1966.

pastorfrin

 2007/3/4 20:24Profile
tjservant
Member



Joined: 2006/8/25
Posts: 1658
Indiana USA

 Re: We Need to Talk About Peace

Quote:
I am now fully convinced that a Christian cannot go to war




Some of America’s founding fathers were Christians. They defended their country. It was called a war.

America has had a lot of Christians serve in its military over the years. I would hate to say that America’s founding fathers and patriot saints that answered the call of duty and those that were drafted were not Christians.

I’m all for peace.

I believe a military is necessary, our country (USA) would not have enjoyed the amount of peace it has had without one, but I also hate war.

Police officers are forced to kill at times.

Kill or be killed. Soldiers also face this predicament.

To have peace one must prepare for war.

We have had wars on this planet for thousands of years. I wish it was not true, but it is a fact. I believe there will always be some kind of war.

I pray for peace.

I am troubled by America’s reasoning for some of the wars it has waged.

I know a Christian that is in the military. He says it is his mission field.

I would tell anyone to pray long and hard, but to listen to God for direction.

I’m sure you all know the sixth commandment is “thou shall not murder”, not kill.

There is a time for everything under the sun.

To take a life is a terrible thing to live with, we should pray for those who have had to do it.

I don't want war, ever.

I pray for peace.


my 2 cents

TJ


_________________
TJ

 2007/3/4 21:43Profile
HomeFree89
Member



Joined: 2007/1/21
Posts: 797
Indiana

 Re:

TJ,

I wouldn't say that because you fight in a war you're not a Christian, but I would say look at what Jesus said and take it literally. Why do we take the other stuff in the Sermon on the Mount literally, but not the part about loving your enemies.

God has given the government the authority to punish evil doers, but Christians should be in the business of giving life not taking it.

Jordan


_________________
Jordan

 2007/3/4 21:56Profile
tjservant
Member



Joined: 2006/8/25
Posts: 1658
Indiana USA

 Re:

Quote:

HomeFree89 wrote:
TJ,

I wouldn't say that because you fight in a war you're not a Christian, but I would say look at what Jesus said and take it literally. Why do we take the other stuff in the Sermon on the Mount literally, but not the part about loving your enemies.

God has given the government the authority to punish evil doers, but Christians should be in the business of giving life not taking it.

Jordan





Just because one is forced to shoot, and possibly kill someone, in defense of your family or country does not mean you hate them.

You can love your enemy, and still be compelled to stop them.

There are many old timers that will tell you they never hated the Nazis, but they felt it necessary to stop them.

I have an 87 year old preacher friend that said he said a prayer for them every night when he was in WW II. He hated what they were doing…not them.


TJ


_________________
TJ

 2007/3/4 22:37Profile
ginnyrose
Member



Joined: 2004/7/7
Posts: 7534
Mississippi

 Re: We Need to Talk About Peace

Are you talking about pacifism? or nonresistance? There is a difference. Perhaps if you were to clarify it, one could have a profitable discussion.

ginnyrose


_________________
Sandra Miller

 2007/3/5 9:16Profile









 Re:

Scripture clearly allows for the defense of hearth and home.

Does our country always fight good and just wars? That can be debated.

But consider the Nazi's. If they had not been stopped can you imagine what this world would look like now? Bad things happen when good people do nothing.

If one thinks that God is not also a God of war... then I suspect they have never read the OT.

Should we go look for a fight? No, absolutely not, and we should always look to peace. We should always look for ways to avoid violence and bloodshed. But sometimes our enemies will not allow that. And anyone who thinks we can talk and negotiate with Islam does not undestand Islam. They are not interested in negotiating with us... they are interested in killing us. Period.

Krispy

 2007/3/5 10:27
JaySaved
Member



Joined: 2005/7/11
Posts: 1132
Missouri

 Re:

I agree with Krispy. We should not look for battles but we should never fail to protect the innocent.

Quote:
Does our country always fight good and just wars? That can be debated.



Somewhere else I hope :-)

 2007/3/5 10:48Profile
HomeFree89
Member



Joined: 2007/1/21
Posts: 797
Indiana

 Re:

Quote:

tjservant wrote:
Quote:

HomeFree89 wrote:
TJ,

I wouldn't say that because you fight in a war you're not a Christian, but I would say look at what Jesus said and take it literally. Why do we take the other stuff in the Sermon on the Mount literally, but not the part about loving your enemies.

God has given the government the authority to punish evil doers, but Christians should be in the business of giving life not taking it.

Jordan





Just because one is forced to shoot, and possibly kill someone, in defense of your family or country does not mean you hate them.

You can love your enemy, and still be compelled to stop them.

There are many old timers that will tell you they never hated the Nazis, but they felt it necessary to stop them.

I have an 87 year old preacher friend that said he said a prayer for them every night when he was in WW II. He hated what they were doing…not them.


TJ



Why did Jesus stop Peter from protecting Him? This was a practical outworking of Jesus' teaching that Peter hadn't caught onto.

"Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." -Matt. 26:52

Can you really love someone while bombing or shooting them? I'm talking about true love that has a concern for their souls.

Jordan



_________________
Jordan

 2007/3/5 13:07Profile
pastorfrin
Member



Joined: 2006/1/19
Posts: 1406


 Re: Peace

Brothers and Sisters,
Instead of going by emotions and the teachings of man, let us simply look at the words of Jesus.
Please read them and then read them again. Leave
out what anyone else has said, and listen to what
He is saying. Lets allow the Holy Spirit to teach
us, He is well able.

Matthew 10:1-42
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. [2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; [3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; [4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. [5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: [6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. [7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. [8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. [9] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, [10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. [11] And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. [12] And when ye come into an house, salute it. [13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. [14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. [15] Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. [17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; [18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. [19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. [20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. [21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. [24] The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. [25] It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? [26] Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. [27] What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. [28] And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. [29] Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. [30] But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [31] Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. [32] Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. [33] But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. [34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. [37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [39] He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
[40] He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. [41] He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. [42] And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.


Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

John 18:33-37
Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? [34] Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? [35] Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? [36] Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. [37] Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.


What kingdom do we belong to and who is our king?

His Love To All,

pastorfrin

 2007/3/5 19:49Profile
HomeFree89
Member



Joined: 2007/1/21
Posts: 797
Indiana

 Re:

That's really good!


_________________
Jordan

 2007/3/5 20:11Profile





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