Posted on 09/05/2014 5:49:31 AM PDT by shuck and yall
NATIONAL REVIEW ONLINE www.nationalreview.com PRINT
September 3, 2014 1:22 PM
How Should Christians Expect Our Nation to Respond to ISIS? With Wrath and Vengeance
By David French
Even in the face of jihadist horror, it’s surprising how many Christians are deeply confused about issues of war and peace, with the root of the confusion embedded in the distinction between personal and governmental responsibilities. Admonitions to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and to repay good for evil are at core individual responsibilities — responsibilities that not only call on us to imitate Christ’s own example as he forgave his executioners in the midst of his own execution but also relieve us from the terrible and deadly burden of imposing individual justice.
But justice is still required. The instrument of that justice isn’t, for example, the Foley or Sotloff families — as it would have been in primitive societies — but rather our nation, bearing a sword of wrath and vengeance. Romans 12 and 13 show these shifting responsibilities beautifully. First, there is the individual responsibility to love even your enemy:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Critically, however, that does not end the inquiry. God is just, and he has designated an instrument, an “agent” of his wrath and justice.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. [Emphasis added.]
This is government functioning in its proper role, one of the few roles explicitly designated for government in all of scripture. In other words, we should expect and demand that our nation fulfill this responsibility. In fact, when our nation fails to fulfill this responsibility it places a terrible burden on the families of the fallen — asking them to forgive without even the hope of punishment.
Many Christians seem befuddled when responding to atrocities like beheadings and systematic, deadly persecution — conflicted between the desire to protect the innocent and “do justice” yet feeling as if that somehow violates commands like “turn the other cheek.” But we are not commanded to make sure that others turn their cheeks. Indeed, compelling helplessness and vulnerability is a grave affront to a nation’s citizens. Pacifism — which is nothing more than compelled helplessness — is thus the worst possible response to attack, not just tactically and strategically stupid in secular terms but also a direct abdication of a sacred responsibility.
So, with a clear conscience and firm conviction, our nation’s Christian citizens can and should send President Obama a clear message: ISIS should not be managed. It has to be crushed.
I refuse to “love” an enemy whose basic bedrock requirement is the beheading of myself and my family. Exterminate them... God will sort it all out.
That’s what he wants: Submit.
Surrender to Islam and the Caliphate or lose your head. Literally.
He was raised in Djakarta as a Muslim. He was taught that white Christians are the devil who enslaved his people.
How could we elevate such a person above us?
Our nation is currently led by
anti-Christians.
I think we can all agree that nothing short of a massive invasion of Iraq and Syria is called for here. We should send as many troops as the generals require and stay for as long as is necessary.
ALL U.S. citizens & legal residents - including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, etc. - should expect our government to respond to ALL of our nation’s enemies with rational consideration of the threat posed by them and the likely negative consequences to the country of NOT vigorously opposing them; and to apply such force as is required to eliminate those threats and avoid the negative consequences.
we have a government telling another country (Israel) to let terrorists kill its citizens and do nothing defend themselves. A government telling our citizens that the bible says to join with Muslims, that whites commit hate crimes but blacks don’t. what gives?
For the next two years, who would make the better Commander in Chief of the US Military:
* Muslim B. Hussein Obama, or
* Catholic Joe Biden?
Following the logic of this author the Christians who rebelled against “their” Government during the First American Revolution were in the wrong...
The teaching of Christian Pacifism is a False teaching.
Was Jesus a Pacifist?
http://www.faithdefenders.com/articles/theology/jesus_pacifist_t.html
The Right to Resist Evil Leaders—The Christian History
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/65014
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/65181
The Origins Of Christian Pacifism
http://churchsecuritymember.com/church-securitythe-origins-of-christian-pacifism-by-gabe-suarez/
“Turning the other cheek” has nothing to do with pacifism but everything to do with being treated as an equal. Christ demands that we defend our faith (1 Peter 3:15) and that our defense may be by the sword (Luke 22:36). What the Master also required was for his disciples to not fall into sin during that defense (Luke 22:40), which means to hate your enemy. This is the most difficult of requirements as humans deeply desire to hate, especially when we perceive an injustice of the type and magnitude being displayed by Islam, specifically ISIS.
As followers of Christ we are given permission to have a righteous anger, meaning we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness. Part of that is defending the faith and caring for the poor and weak. Should that require taking the martyrs crown, then we must face that possibility with the same conviction Christ did when facing the cross. But that would be plan B.
Plan A is to exterminate the cancer of Islam with prejudice.
People say, “Jesus said, ‘Turn the other cheek.’”
That is NOT what Jesus said.
Jesus said, “If someone strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek.”
He did NOT say, “If someone is threatening to kill you, turn the other cheek.”
He did NOT say, “If someone is threatening to rape your wife, turn the other cheek.”
He did NOT say, “If someone is invading your country, turn the other cheek.”
He did NOT say, “If someone wants to behead you, turn the other cheek.”
I think you’re reading stuff into Mr. French’s article that just isn’t there.
Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,
For this reason God sends them a POWERFUL DELUSION
And to pray for their souls as we extinguish their lives.
Excellent commentary. Also, the most concise explanation and response I have seen on this issue. Thanks for posting.
2nd that!!!
We will do nothing until God calls for the Eagle to fly.
This “ravenous bird” is a symbol of those nations whom God employs and sends forth to do a work of destruction, sweeping away whatever is decaying and putrescent (Matt. 24:28; Isa. 46:11; Ezek. 39:4; Deut. 28:49; Jer. 4:13; 48:40).
What is happening in the Middle East must happen and in the next two years...it will get much worse.
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