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To: OCCASparky

All right, when Jesus said those things, Christianity was a fringe movement. He had to say those things or either the Romans would have even more justification to attack them.

It makes sense to tolerate the soldiers when there is always a chance of being attacked. However, I do understand that he felt anyone whose faith brought them closer to god would make them worthy followers.

Here is something I wrote some time ago about the soldiers:

Regarding the profession of soldiers, Jesus took a position that seemed contradictory but actually made sense. He had a non-confrontational stance towards soldiers and showed acceptance towards the profession, contrary to his teachings that attacking or retaliating to an attack was unacceptable (Slattery, 2007). Jesus seemed willing to accept the profession of the soldier and its main purpose: “Attain or maintain a desired status even through the use of organized lethal force” (Slattery 2007). The soldiers were just one of several social outcasts that Jesus is willing to accept into the kingdom of heaven (Slattery, 2007). In another example of how Jesus and his teachings reach even the soldiers of a pagan empire, a centurion stands at the foot of the Cross of Jesus after the crucifixion and realizes that Jesus is truly the son of God (Slattery 2007). The main point is that even people who would not be considered followers of Christ could be reached by the word of god. This position on the unluckiest of society shows how Jesus is flexible with people involved in a legal life of violence. He accepts those whose faith brings them closer to God, no matter their daily relationship with violence.


906 posted on 12/19/2010 8:11:14 AM PST by GenY Republican (Jesus, Soldiers)
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To: GenY Republican

Slattery, Michael W. (2007). Jesus the Warrior? Historical Christian Perspectives & Problems on the Morality of War & the Waging of Peace. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Marquette University Press.


909 posted on 12/19/2010 8:13:12 AM PST by GenY Republican (Jesus, Soldiers)
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To: GenY Republican
In regards to Jesus and his stance with the Roman Soldiers, he said; “He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.” That is hardly an acceptance for their profession.

Roman Soldiers were also given ultimate control and authority over the lower population. They could execute someone for jaywalking without a trial or hearing. It was also a fact that they were the highest paid and they received many rights and privileges that the general population did not. They were considered to be rich and powerful under the Roman Society rules. They were pretty much Mercenaries.

What you wrote is complete BS. Do you truly believe that Jesus condoned their salvation, based on the fact that even though they lived violent, brutal lives, that they would be allowed forgiveness while they continued to slaughter the innocent or oppressed under Roman Law?

971 posted on 12/19/2010 9:09:23 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP ( Give me Liberty, or give me an M-24A2!)
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