The Prince of Peace Was a Warrior, Too

New York Times? ^ | Jan 28, 2003 | JOSEPH LOCONTE

[End Times Sentinel]

ASHINGTON

Everyone, it seems, wants Jesus on his side. Nutritionists publish books with titles like "What Would Jesus Eat?" Environmentalists issue policy statements asking "What Would Jesus Drive?" With talk of war, we're now hearing "How Would Jesus Vote on Iraq?" — assuming that he were a member of the United Nations Security Council.

A growing number of religious leaders have decided that Jesus would veto a war against Saddam Hussein. Back from a fact-finding trip to Iraq earlier this month, a delegation from the National Council of Churches said it harbored no doubts: "As disciples of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we know this war is completely antithetical to his teachings." The Christian Century magazine, quoting from the Sermon on the Mount, has criticized military action by warning that "he who hates his neighbor is in danger of hellfire."

Religious liberals are making the same mistake that often bedevils religious conservatives: They're grossly oversimplifying the Bible. It's true that Jesus put the love of neighbor at the center of Christian ethics. Forgiveness, not vengeance, animates the heart of God, offered freely to any person willing to renounce sin. But the Christian Gospel is not only about "the law of love," as war opponents like to put it. It's also about the fact that people violate that law.

That's why Jesus talked a great deal about punishment, and the moral obligation to oppose evil with a strong and swift hand. Human evil must be confronted, he said, not merely contained. Depending on the threat, a kind of "pre-emptive strike" or judgment against evil might even be required: "Be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). Allow the darkness to roam unchecked, Jesus said, and it will devour individuals and entire regimes. That helps explain why in the New Testament we see the Son of God rebuking hateful mobs, casting demons into the abyss, chasing religious charlatans out of a temple with a whip. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth," he said. "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword" (Matthew 10:34).

Ministers have always invoked the example of Jesus to judge the morality of United States military action, but not always with their eyes open. The Rev. Ernest Fremont Tittle, a Methodist leader during World War II, insisted on American isolation even after Hitler's war machine had ravaged most of Europe and threatened Britain. Jesus "does not try to overcome evil with more evil," Mr. Tittle argued. "I can see only ruin ahead if the United States becomes a belligerent in Europe or in Asia — ruin for us and for all mankind."

Like Mr. Tittle, many of today's war critics hail Jesus as "the Prince of Peace," while forgetting that the Bible also calls him "the Lion of the tribe of Judah," the one "who judges and wages war." In itself, that's not an argument for a pre-emptive strike on Baghdad. But it's a good reason for a little more humility among the apostles of diplomacy.

Joseph Loconte, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, is a commentator on religion for National Public Radio.

[End Times Sentinel]

The NYT publishing a Loconte screed??? Will the sun rise in the west tomorrow??? I need to lie down...

Well, maybe this is an example of why some of the real whacks on democraticunderground keep insisting that the NYT is a conservative paper, publishing an editorial by a member of the Heritage Foundation...

 

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[johniegrad]

Why would the Slimes print this?

[joesnuffy]

Jesus is eternal...one with The Father and The Holy Spirit

Since all time.. In the beginning was The Word (Jesus) and The Word was with God and The Word was God

Jesus has been involved in every aspect of human history...and directed the angelic fight against and overcame Satan..not only in his Heavenly role, but also when in the flesh ,as man.

He fufilled prophecy as the suffering servant ...the lamb of God...and willingly laid down His life as the ultimate sacrifice for mankind's estrangement from a Holy God.

When he comes back...he will come as The Lion of Judah...a warrior of infinite power and majesty and He will come back to conquer and subdue...

He was with Moses and directed the Hebrew-Egyption conflict. and with David against all his enemies...His hand has been with His people in many many conflicts including the birth of the USA...and will continue to be...until we completly forsake him and his patience is tried too much.

Then He will correct those He loves...

May The Lord God over all bless the U.S.A. ..but only so long as she remains faithfull in Him....

[johniegrad]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Joe. I know it and I believe it but.........why did the Slimes print this?

[End Times Sentinel]

Why would the Slimes print this?

I have to say I never would have seen this if a liberal friend of mine hadn't sent it to me.  I was so stunned after reading it that I couldn't even respond to his assertion questioning the existence of a media bias

Owl_Eagle

”Unleash the Hogs of Peace.”
P.J. O'Rourke Parliament of Whoress.

 

[Just mythoughts]

We are warned by Christ in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21

1. Deception

2. Not to be troubled by war and rumours of war these things need be, the end is not yet. (Peace-niks not in Christ's name)

But it is interesting how many on the left will use Christ when it suits their purpose and ignore Him on everything else.

[arthurus]

Like all proper politically active Democrats, they are laying the groundwork for showing that they were really on the right side. That is for when Saddam is vaporized, the stock market goes up, the arabs cheer, the price of oil comes down and Bush's ratings go to 99.4%.

[CalvaryJohn]

Knock me over with a proverbial feather! Excuse me- I need to get a glass of water and catch my breath.

[what's up]

Just check out Jesus in Revelation.

You'll never believe Jesus was a pacifist after reading this book.

Also, Jesus was alive and approving everything done in the Old Testament. And there's lots of juicy stories of God's judgment there.

[WaveThatFlag]

Religious liberals are making the same mistake that often bedevils religious conservatives: They're grossly oversimplifying the Bible.

Liberals who fixate on the "turn the other cheek" directive choose to ignore, or have never heard of Augustine of Hippo, greatest Christian philosopher of antiquity. His accepted "Just War Theory," obligates leaders to go to war in order to create an enviornment of peace.

[Russell Scott]

The whole Old Testament is full of wars. Jesus said a sign of His coming was "wars and rumors of wars". Anybody who thinks Jesus abolished the Old Testament doesn't have a clue who He is. He said "I didn't come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it."

Jesus isn't so much for war as he is for justice and judgement. Quite often this involves war to punish wicked people. When man is redeemed from his fallen state, and Satan is chained and cast into the pit, than "they shall not learn war anymore". And the Prince of Peace will reign forever and ever, and "they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain". Until then, as long as evil men seek to harm the innocent, war isn't just acceptable in God's eyes, it is an act of righteous indignation.

[LS]

You nailed it: John 1.1 says that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Well, the Word---and everyone accepts that this means Jesus, WAS OBVIOUSLY THERE when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, was obviously there when the Jews crushed the Canaanites, and was obviously there when Sampson "smote" the Philistines with the jawbone of a Dashcle.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Bttt. Important. Religious leaders in America now respond "we don't get involved in politics" to questions of war - with members of their flock risking their lives overseas, when the threats on the homefront and in the world are far greater than any bogus threat from the ACLU - pastors too often remain silent.

May this be the beginning of a trend...that courageous spiritual leaders will speak in the public square more often than Hollywood actors.

[Van Jenerette]

Why would the Slimes print this?

Why? Perhaps they want to place Christianity on the same level as Islam by equating the teachings of Jesus to the ravings of Mohammad...hmmm?