The Problem of 'Pulpit Pacifism': A common mistake among Christians...

ModernConservative.com ^ | Christopher Cook and Paul Judkins

[connell]

...is to fetishize the concept of "peace." This comes from what I consider to be the theological error of obsessing over the peace and love messages of the New Testament, while forgetting that the justice-heavy Old Testament even exists. (This error isn't made by all Christians, just some.)

I am by no means a Bible scholar, but I do know that the Old Testament (or Hebrew Scripture), with its often juridical tone, offers us a profound and valuable way to understand concepts of Justice. Among other things, it gave us the Law. The New Testament brought us a message of Grace, and Peace, and Love, and that message came with a refreshing simplicity. The New Testament provided a much-needed balance with the Old.

But a Christian needs both.

The Founding Fathers of this nation understood this; they were Christians very much influenced by...

[MNJohnnie]

Peace at any price is to empowerment of those who do evil. It is moral cowardance, not moral leadership.

[ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY]

Amen

[Suzy Quzy]

Sorry, but Christians ALWAYS pray for peace...even while fighting to the death. A Christian Leader, like the Pope, or Minister CAN NOT push war....NEVER....they must pray for peace while praying for the good guys to win.

[MNJohnnie]

How about praying for justice instead?

[Suzy Quzy]

Along with peace, justice...OK....they MUST pray for peace tho.

[Convert from ECUSA]

From the full article at the link:

" Israel wants to have security and stability, not more territory. Islamic fundamentalists vow to destroy them, and take steps to accomplish that. Israel's enemy can take comfort in the assurance that the nations of the world will intervene and not let Israel have substantial success in its own defense. Israel has no such assurance that the world would step in and save it from destruction. I believe the best chance we have for stability in the region for at least a few years is to delay interference until Israel can achieve its objectives. Unfortunately, in this war many innocents will suffer, but in the alternative way, many innocents will also suffer. An imposed ceasefire will not solve anything and not bring peace, only prolonged upset and wrangling. The militant Islamists that Israel does not destroy are left to try to destroy us or us them. We have a common enemy with Israel who has no intent of compromise, or backing off their religious intent to have no challenge to Islam. The destruction of Israel, Christianity, and Western culture would be their satisfaction."

[Biggirl]

Time to bring back the "just war theory" that the great saint, St. Augustine set up.

[gophergas]

I respectfully disagree. A Christian leader can indeed push for war if war is called for -- as is the case today.

I am a Christian -- not a leader, per se, but a Christian nonetheless. And the peace I pray for is the one that follows victory.

[Suzy Quzy]

I am talking about a Pope or a Bishop or a Minister or a Priest or a Monk or a Nun....these CANNOT call for war.....a Christian PRESIDENT Can call for war!!

I sure hope you can see the difference.... can you??

[Salem]

---

Zec 12:6 In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.





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[Delphinium]

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Psalm 122:6

[Ciexyz]

Most interesting read.

[gophergas]

Suzy Quzy,

Again, I must respectfully disagree. Any religious leader can, and on occasion MUST call for war. In a situation where Islamic jihadists actively threaten our existence as a nation or as a religion, a responsible religious leader is obligated to call for action. And that action, in some cases, will be war.

If they call for peace, it must be the peace that follows victory.

[Suzy Quzy]

Wrong...ONLY a POLITICAL leader can call for war!!! You must not be a Christian....Christianity says turn the other cheek, but a POLITICAL leader CANNOT turn the other cheek. Are you a Christian?

[gophergas]

My salvation is not in question.

A Christian leader CAN and sometimes MUST call for war.

"Turning the other cheek" is not the same as being a doormat.

This discussion is over.

[Suzy Quzy]

Funny, I didn't ask if your salvation was at risk...I really don't care...I asked if you were a Christian and you didn't answer...you obviously aren't so you were never taught about turning the other cheek, and a RELIGIOUS leader...not a political one can not call for war.

[gophergas]

LOL --- you claim to be a Christian yet don't care about my salvation? Nice to know what kind of "Christian" you really are.

And I already answered the question.

Feel free to go ahead and have the last word. There's obviously no point in attempting a discussion with you. I simply had to throw that last little comment in.

[Suzy Quzy]

Sorry, I didn't see your reply that you were a Christian. Your salavation is your own.