God Commands Righteous Violence

[Matthias]

Vlad … Islamic invaders … Thoughts?

“Every Muslim is a soul cherished by God. And God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth, which is in Christ Jesus. But many churches and Christians don’t know how to even begin; …”

(Conrad Klassen)

 

[Matthias]

Vlad … Thoughts?

A follower of Jesus should wish Jesus, the Savior, not Vlad, the Impaler, on his or her enemy.

 

[Matthias]

Vlad … In his home country, he is taught in schools as a hero and defender of the faith … Thoughts?

I presume that you know Vlad’s home country is modern-day Romania.

“Few names are better known in Romania, where he is widely remembered as a Christian leader, author, and educator.”

Vlad? No. Richard Wurmbrand.

“We must love our neighbors as ourselves. Communists and other persecutors are our neighbors as much as anyone else. … loving them - which is something entirely different from liking them - and praying for them.”

(Tortured for Christ, p. 148)

The tale of two Romanians. You’ve chosen the wrong one to hold up as a Christian hero / role model.

 

[Matthias]

“Richard’s central message was, ‘Hate the evil systems, but love your persecutors. Love their souls, and try to win them for Christ.”

(About the Author, Tortured for Christ, p. 181)

That wasn’t Vlad’s central message. That was Christ’s central message in Wurmbrand.

 

[Wrangler]

I'm so glad that good men with guns do bad things to bad men with guns, thereby keeping the world relatively, safe, at peace with justice more apparent than ever before in human history.

I previously spoke of the miracle that was the Oct 7 attack against Israel. Turns out, there was another 5-nation conspiracy to simultaneously attack Israel but Hamas jumped the gun, allowing the people of God to take out their enemies one at a time. Praise God!

 

[Matthias]

I'm so glad that good men with guns do bad things to bad men with guns, thereby keeping the world relatively, safe, at peace with justice more apparent than ever before in human history.

I previously spoke of the miracle that was the Oct 7 attack against Israel. Turns out, there was another 5-nation conspiracy to simultaneously attack Israel but Hamas jumped the gun, allowing the people of God to take out their enemies one at a time. Praise God!

Romans 13:4.

A government which rejects Jesus defending its citizens.

 

[Matthias]

What does God think about “good men” who reject the Son of God? (Which is a very bad thing.)

 

[Matthias]

Did the Christians fight against the Romans during the Jewish wars?

AI Overview -

“No, the early Christians did not fight against the Romans during the Jewish-Roman wars. Instead, they stayed neutral or fled the conflict, which separated them further from mainstream Judaism.

Christian Response and Neutrality

• Flight from Judea: Early Christian writings record that believers left Jerusalem and moved to Pella in Perea before the Roman siege in 70 CE.

• Pacifist Stance: Early Christian teachings emphasized non-violence and submission to governing authorities rather than armed rebellion.

• No Military Record: Historical records from the period show no evidence of Christians joining the Jewish rebel military forces.

Impact on Relations

• Deepening Rift: Refusing to join the national revolt caused Jewish-rebel groups to view Christians with high suspicion and hostility.

• Final Split: The aftermath of the wars accelerated the permanent division between traditional Judaism and the growing Christian church.”

What does @Wrangler have to say about that?

“You aren’t following Jesus if you aren’t armed, ready to kill.”

The Christians weren’t armed, ready to kill. They fought neither for nor against the Romans, and neither for nor against the Jews.

They fled. Not an unreasonable decision, and certainly not an act of cowardice.

“Render under to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”

The Christians did, but obviously not in the way which Wrangler posits (i.e. using the sword in service for Caesar.)