This is a tiny part of a much larger discussion in which many Christians are engaged relating to how to view the issue of war from a Biblical standpoint.
The Bible presents war as a disciplining action reflecting the judgment of God. When people obeyed God and lived by his principles, they were rewarded with peace. When war was waged, as a dire necessity, against corrupt states, God's faithful people suffered few losses. Repeatedly we see instances where God's people, even though terribly outnumbered, could successfully rout many.
How does war in the Bible square with the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill?" John Calvin pointed out that followers of God's law should not be part of unjustly doing violence to others. By this standard, hundreds of political and economic wars and badly labeled "revolutions" in our world's recent history are wars that Godly people should oppose. Unjust violence can be terrorism under the guise of liberation.
On the other hand, is it ever right to kill? It seems that according to the Bible defensive war (and capital punishment) are legitimate because they react to the unjust deeds of criminal terror, whether that terrorism is conducted against individuals or a nation.
God's loving people have a passion for preventing violence. We who would not ourselves "harm a fly" cannot stand aside watching when a neighbor is being savagely beaten by criminals who have no respect for human dignity or God's rule of peace. We are committed to peace and serving the Prince of Peace.
Two examples of Bible teaching on war stand in juxtaposition to each other which suggests the need for a balanced approach to understanding the Biblical perspective:
1. Psalm 68:30 "Rebuke the company of spearmen....Scatter the people who delight in war."
2. Proverbs 24:6 "For by wise counsel you shall make war...."
I'm interested in hearing what you think about the Bible's teaching on war. Our nation's participation in war is one of the most important themes in this year's election. Let's help to sharpen one another on the Biblical standpoint of war.
In peace,
Duff Gorle
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
An Optimistic Future
It's summer and our church family has a healthy habit of taking vacation and traveling to refreshing places. I affirm this "Sabbathing" behavior and hope to emulate it more in my own life!
This past Sunday, about ten of our precious families were away, and we felt the diminished size of the worshipping community. The Lord was present and our time together was sweet, but I'll confess that when I stood up to teach, I noticed that the crowd was smaller than usual.
It bothered me that I noticed, because I recognized just a touch of disappointment in the part of me that naturally looks for indications of things moving forward well and being "successful!"
My mind tends to look toward the future wondering what God is doing and what it will look like. I've been called a "dreamer!"
I love our church's mission: "Connecting people to God and each other through Christ!" The natural outcome of being connected to God is being optimistic about the future.
The Lord spoke to Old Testament prophet Jeremiah and reminded him that he knows the plans he has for us, plans for a future and a hope, plans for our welfare and not destruction.
The church of Jesus Christ is always looking forward. Obeying Christ's call, we live our individual and corporate lives in the context and reality of three primal essences: faith, hope, and love.
Erwin McManus points out: "People are looking for something worth believing in, somewhere to belong, and something to become." He goes on to remind the church that when we live in the context of the "apostolic ethos"--produced through living in faith, love, and hope--the intrinsic longings of the human spirit will be called out and find their fulfillment.
Faith, love, and hope are wellsprings that supply the church with the soul of authentic spiritual life. Faith, hope, and love build a church that just can't be stopped! There's no challenge or struggle too great for these Godly realities to overcome.
Praise God that his gifts of faith, hope, and love continually move us toward optimism. As we live in these Godly realities, we'll find they are the fuel that ignites our lives and our church, just as they ignited Christ-followers in the first-century!
Let's do it! Let's live by faith, be known by love, and speak with the voice of hope.
For God's glory, and our blessing!
Sincerely,
Duff
This past Sunday, about ten of our precious families were away, and we felt the diminished size of the worshipping community. The Lord was present and our time together was sweet, but I'll confess that when I stood up to teach, I noticed that the crowd was smaller than usual.
It bothered me that I noticed, because I recognized just a touch of disappointment in the part of me that naturally looks for indications of things moving forward well and being "successful!"
My mind tends to look toward the future wondering what God is doing and what it will look like. I've been called a "dreamer!"
I love our church's mission: "Connecting people to God and each other through Christ!" The natural outcome of being connected to God is being optimistic about the future.
The Lord spoke to Old Testament prophet Jeremiah and reminded him that he knows the plans he has for us, plans for a future and a hope, plans for our welfare and not destruction.
The church of Jesus Christ is always looking forward. Obeying Christ's call, we live our individual and corporate lives in the context and reality of three primal essences: faith, hope, and love.
Erwin McManus points out: "People are looking for something worth believing in, somewhere to belong, and something to become." He goes on to remind the church that when we live in the context of the "apostolic ethos"--produced through living in faith, love, and hope--the intrinsic longings of the human spirit will be called out and find their fulfillment.
Faith, love, and hope are wellsprings that supply the church with the soul of authentic spiritual life. Faith, hope, and love build a church that just can't be stopped! There's no challenge or struggle too great for these Godly realities to overcome.
Praise God that his gifts of faith, hope, and love continually move us toward optimism. As we live in these Godly realities, we'll find they are the fuel that ignites our lives and our church, just as they ignited Christ-followers in the first-century!
Let's do it! Let's live by faith, be known by love, and speak with the voice of hope.
For God's glory, and our blessing!
Sincerely,
Duff
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