Why would a christian provide me with this answer:
Jesus tells us:
"Think not that I am come to send peace: I came not to send peace but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
"He that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." (Luke 22:36)
"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." (Luke 19:27.
Part of overcoming Jesus's enemies is being violent when we need to be. If people reject Jesus we need to impose him on them. When they are facing eternal judgement they will be grateful.
The author of this answer can volunteer their identity if they so choose...
2007-10-17 03:05:47 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hey folks... make sure you read the author's paragraph following the scriptures... that is the crux of the question...
2007-10-17 03:11:42 · update #1
No, luc, it wasn't you... *smiles*
2007-10-17 03:18:38 · update #2
The people with swords are the people with free will.
EDIT:
Basically, the guy is saying that he's okay with other people having free will as long as they freely choose Christianity. Otherwise, we need to impose Jesus on them.
I suppose that's better than superimposing Jesus on me.
2007-10-17 03:11:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
pwwatson, makes a good point that this person is a young Christian with little understanding of the Lord. This does not, however, not make him a Christian. Because Christians are forgiven and God gives us the opportunity to grow and mature in him.
Therefore, I would not judge this person too harshly and I definately wouldn't judge all of Christanity over these comments.
We do have free will to choose God's truth or reject it. Does anyone here never been given that choice?
I think facts prove the point.
2007-10-17 10:49:41 · answer #2 · answered by Bobby B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like this question but what context of violence are you talking about??? First of all Jesus denounces the use of physical violence in the spreading on the gospel. The violence He is talking about is on our knees in prayer, fasting,and the word of God. I'm sorry but God doesn't support the use of physical aggression is force this on people. The sword within these passages are the WORD OF GOD. Jesus's purpose wasn't to tickle the religious elite of that hour but the bring a sword ( the word of God). Jesus came is bring peace in another way. The religious elite of that hour wanted another kind of peace not the peace Jesus had.
2007-10-17 10:13:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jesus was not a violent man so I cannot imagine how anyone can interpret these passages as accurate. He was the gold standard for practicing ahimsa (nonviolence) but ahimsa doesn't mean being a pacifist it means taking action that equates to war without violence. Revolutionary thoughts...... Gandhi was a good representation of this. These are just my thoughts...... I'm rusty. Haven't been on the board for a few days. Namaste!
2007-10-17 10:13:58 · answer #4 · answered by Yogini 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Who ever gave you this answer is way off in their interpretation of the Bible. Free will is what we are about you have the right to choose and you have the right to accept the consequences of your actions, but no where does it say convert or die or that we a Christians should force people to convert. Besides would they not be just words.
2007-10-17 10:15:24 · answer #5 · answered by freecc93 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It was me.... No it wasn't , was it..?.. I have free will, but I have no sword. Bugger. I'm just confused.
Bring hither my garment so I may sell it and buy.... Not a sword... I find them kind of dangerous.... I will buy..............Another garment... Too replace the one I just sold.
Free will rocks! Fundies have no socks...... Because they sold em all to buy swords.
2007-10-17 10:15:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is not about "free will". It is about submitting your will to the lordship of Christ Jesus.
Luke 6:46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
2007-10-17 10:11:17 · answer #7 · answered by Martin S 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
We possess the free will to kill ourselves if we want to. What a Christian does is give over their free will to the will of God.
So while I am selling my clothing to buy weapons, consider this:
Christianity is about serving God. In whatever capacity He leads us to doing. Whom Gods calls, He enables.
Our free will went out the door when we began to put ourselves in subjection to Him. We became obedient to Him.
So whoever told you that Christianity is about free will was giving you such a truncated definition! I wonder how you will receive this answer?
2007-10-17 10:23:10 · answer #8 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
[QUOTE]Part of overcoming Jesus's enemies is being violent when we need to be. If people reject Jesus we need to impose him on them. When they are facing eternal judgement they will be grateful.[/QUOTE]
No-this is NOT saying that! It is talking about the price that believers may have to pay in order to follow Christ!
The weapons talked about refer to the SPRITUAL battle that we are engaged in, at talked about in:
Ephesians 6:10-18 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Jesus NEVER fored His message on ANYONE, & if we ARE followers of Christ, we shouldn't either!
2007-10-17 10:20:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the person who provided the answer is untrained in the study of scripture and plucks random texts out to prove his or her own point. It is amateurish and dangerous to do this. The scriptures hang together as a verse is a part of a chapter which is part of a book which is part of a Testament which is part of the Bible. Taking texts out of context is bad theology and contravenes Jesus command that we love our neighbor as ourself. If we do, then we will spend the time to explain scripture (as Philip did to the Ethiopian eunuch) - because spending time with people is the ultimate display of friendship, whether or not the person agrees.
If you want a detailed explanation of the verses in context then contact me. Otherwise you have made your point.
2007-10-17 10:12:58 · answer #10 · answered by pwwatson8888 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋