Why are Christians today trying to compare GIs and Jesus Christ and why do they try to use Jesus to justify?

Question

war and the murder of innocent civilians?

No where in the Gospel can I find where Jesus justified war or murder. He did say a lot against it though.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"

Here is the comparison.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AtR1oJCRanSHunIpMF4kwOQgBgx.;_ylv=3?qid=20071002051018AAN9RS0&show=7#profile-info-gTMo0qjQaa

no1home2day - I have posted the question where the comparison was made. All the answers seem to be from Christians who are justifying war when jesus clearly spoke of peace. How can this be a straw man argument? These are the words of Jesus and the Christians are clearly going against them.

Those books after the gospels are the words of man - an interpretation of Jesus. They are not the words of jesus reported in the Gospel.

Typical Christian manoeuvring and positioning and interpreting to justify their position. Why can't they accept the word for what it is?

Hannah, thank you. I am no Christian but may your God be with you!!!!

Answer 1

Jesus was anti-war. That much is obvious. It takes some hardcore twisting of scriptures for Christians to say he wasn't.

Answer 2

Dear beatnik (I think that is your name),

I have read the details you mentioned but
I'll just clarify the question you vaguely detailed.

I am not going to say 'Stop preaching' but why did you quote the Bible and in what relation is it to your question?

How are they comparing them to Christ?

Why do you think they do this? What for? How's come?

What does war have to do with the Bible?

All I vaguely know about war from the bible is until swords and spears are turned into plowshares, there will be no peace.

Beyond that, I don't know.

Please ask another question with the proper details so I know exactly what you are asking and how you personally think about it.

Thank you

Mike

Answer 3

Can't really see where Jesus said anything against war in any of that. You can show mercy in war, Sometimes peace can only be made by war. The pure in heart will stand against evil.
What people who have not studied their Bibles don't seem to understand is that the Bible speaks to different people in different passages and you can't apply all scripture to everyone. When Jesus talked to individuals as He was doing in the passages you quoted He gives different advice than when He speaks as God to the governments of the world. To the governments He gives the right to go to war and fight against those who are attacking and seeking to destroy your country. We are told in Genesis 9:6 that, "whoever sheds man's blood,by man shall his blood be shed." That applies to countries as well as individuals.

Answer 4

The only thing I can think of that would be comparable is that these soldiers are willing to lay down their life so that we will be protected from our enemies. I think that is very Christ like. Invoking GOD's word to strengthen your political bias is not very Christ like. Even if the war we are in is not for the defense of our country and may very well be a money and political fueled event, that does not lesson the willingness of our soldiers to die so you can have the freedom to rant.

Mat 24:7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Mat 24:8All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.

Answer 5

A couple of reasons. George Bush has convinced them that the current war is effectively a holy war. Some people believe the war against Islam is part of bringing on the Rapture, which is to say the end of the world. Since they believe it gets them closer to heaven, they are in favor of the war.

Also, a surprising number of soldiers are evangelistic Christians. They do things like hold prayer meetings while they are on duty, read the Bible when they are supposed to be watching a gate, prefer their own people over others for promotions, etc.

All pretty scary, isn't it?

Answer 6

Jesus sacrifice/ GI sacrifice comparison stories are a natural outgrowth of the propaganda machine that has been turning the "war on terror" into "crusades part 17" for the last few years. In all honesty, I think we are only another few years away from George Orwell flavor "doublethink".

Answer 7

And why are you trying so desparately to tear down strawmen that you build up in the vain imagination of your heart?

Here's what your question sounds like to me, so I'll just ask YOU: "Why do you close the living room curtains before you abuse your children?

Dumb question? You bet it is! Both yours AND mine!

Someone once told me that there are no dumb questions, but if you ever DO find one, that should tell you alot about the asker!

Now, go clean up all the straw you knocked all over the place from the straw man you tore down!

Answer 8

You are right of course. Many will cite to John 15:13 where we read that no one has greater love than this: that he should lay down his life for his friends. Many apply this to soldiers in war time. Of course, in the context, Jesus was speaking of his followers: thus in verse 14 he says that they (his disciples) are his friends if they do what he commands them to do. He commanded much. But what did he command here?

In verse 12, he commands they love one another just as Christ loved them. And how did Christ love them? Did he take up arms? Did he kill? No, he sacrificed his human life for them and for all who would listen and accept the good news of God's kingdom. Now when soldiers go to war, can it really be said that they are sacrificing their lives? If they die, many say they made a 'great sacrifice.' But is it not true that they are going to war for the sole purpose of using extreme and lethal violence? Are they not trained to take lives? Why, their clothing, gear, equipment, mentality and weapons are designed for this very purpose, is that not so?

Moreover, suppose "Christians" in one country gear up (as above) for carnal warfare against "Christians" in another country? Are they showing love toward one another or are they slaughtering one another? Are they obeying Christ's command or are they violating it?

Finally, Christ commanded us to love our enemies. In the first century, the Christians had to live their lives under the hated yoke of the Roman empire. Certainly no love was lost between the two groups. Why Christians were used as sport in the arenas and oftentimes served as living torches to light the arena when night took over! What did the Christians do? Take up arms? Participate in carnal warfare? Not according to the apostle Paul who said, at 2 Corinthians 10:4, that the weapons of warfare for Christians are not fleshly but are powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. If now the first century Christians did not take up arms and participate in carnal warfare on behalf of themselves and on behalf of Christianity, how in the world can any professed Christian justify participating in carnal warfare today?

Hannah J Paul

Answer 9

If this is an attempt at an anti-war sentiment.....it was pretty lame.

The war in Iraq is justified........I am a Christian.....and I support it 100%.

We were attacked by terrorists on 9-11. Saddam HAD to go....and so does that other nut-case, Bin Laden

Answer 10

When Jesus talked about turning the other cheek, He was telling individuals not to take the law in their own hands and execute vengeance. He wasn't going against the OT law where judges were given guidelines for punishing law breakers.

Romans 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Here's a picture of Jesus when He returns. He came the first time as a suffering servant to lay down his life for our sins. But when He returns as a conquering King...

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.