[RnMomof7]

St. Augustine understood that the state is a God-ordained institution and that its primary leader is "God’s servant...who does not bear the sword for nothing...but is an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the evildoer."

Our Sunday school is doing a class for teens and up on Just Wars..this was one of the quotes in our hand out

Larry King is going to have this discussion with MacArthur, Bob Jones and Maz Luccado on Tuesday's show....for the interested

As I mentioned to you in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on September 19, 2001, you are not in the position of leader of the free world by happenstance. God’s hand moves behind the thrones of this world, lifting up those whom He will, while removing those whose time has come to an end. In God’s gracious providence, He has provided for our common good in the United States both sound government and also leaders of that government to whom He has given the sword—a sword to preserve the peace as well as to punish evildoers (Romans 13:1-5). You, Mr. President, carry that sword as God’s appointed servant in the secular kingdom called the United States of America.

A strong AMEN

[anniegetyourgun]

Thanks for the ping and info. I'm surprised that King is having these three on. I would have thought he'd rather chew the common fat with someone more like-minded such as Tony Campolo....

The Romans verse is key and one that liberals like to ignore. On the other hand, conservatives often forget that "...the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." (Daniel 4) That means, of course, that He gave us Clinton, just as He permitted evil kings in Israel, etc. All that, because of our sin, prayerlessness, and for having forgotten Him. I know those 8 years certainly got my attention.....

[Charles Henrickson]

St. Augustine understood that the state is a God-ordained institution and that its primary leader is "God’s servant...who does not bear the sword for nothing...but is an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the evildoer."

Of course, the part in quotation marks did not originate with St. Augustine but with St. Paul (Romans 13).

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I would prefer to live in a chaotic world of violence and uncertainty, safe in the knowledge that God is sovereign in all things, than to live a placid and peaceful existence, ignorant of God's control.

Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, this IS a war against Islam. Islam is an enemy of Christianity. And Islam will be defeated.

[sheltonmac]

Personally, I don't know any Christians (including me) who would oppose a truly just war. The question we are facing is this: does an attack on a sovereign nation that has not attacked us constitute a "just war"?

[oldcodger]

Thanks for the ping.

Our pastor preached on Romans 13 after the September 11 attacks. One of the responsibilities of government is to protect its citizens from evildoers.

That reminds me, it is hard for me to believe that government is a "necessary evil." Anything ordained by God is not evil.