Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.ircc.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: johnw@stew.ssl.berkeley.edu (John Warren) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Christianity and war Message-ID: Date: 11 Mar 91 07:42:25 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Space Science Labs Lines: 47 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article davidh@tektronix.tek.com (David L Hatcher) writes: > > I'd like to know how Christians feel Jesus Christ would have >handled this whole affair if he were president of the USofA. > > David Hatcher By `this whole affair', I assume you mean the war in the Gulf. It's hard to say what Jesus would do if he were president, cause when he was here the first time, he didn't assume nor want to assume political power. But I can more easily answer the question, 'how would Jesus have me (or G. Bush, J. Carter, W. Harding, whoever) handle this situation?' I think he would say, "To whom much is given, much is required. The world is in danger of a budding tyrant about to take over much power (since oil is power these days), and if he learns that he can take over a country with impunity, he'll just keep getting stronger, like Hitler in the '30's. Don't be like those clergymen in Germany who didn't resist Hitler because they thought that reason would win out. Be like my servant Dietrich Bonhoeffer who resisted to death. You, as leader of the most powerful nation in the world (by my design, not by your virtue, so don't boast), have been given an opportunity to lead the resistance to this evil man, this prototype of Antichrist. Be strong and of good courage." A warlike Jesus?? What about "Blessed are the peacemakers"? Well, Jesus also told his disciples, toward the end of his mortal ministry, to carry a sword. Life has tragic choices that must be made, and if lives must be lost to prevent a greater evil -- large-scale tyranny, which would have ocurred had we let Saddam go unchecked -- then so be it. This whole standoff has been a test of our stewardship. One final thing. Some time in the future, Jesus is going to be the president, of the world. Actually, the King. And the Bible says He's going to be fierce to His enemies. Revelation (the book thereof) says that a sword out of His mouth will consume His enemies. And during His thousand-year reign in Jerusalem, He will shut up the rain from the skies of those nations which don't come each year to the Succoth Feast in Jerusalem. The same Bible that said "Blessed are the peacemakers" also says these other things. Instead of creating a pick-and-choose religion (or at least **before** you create a pick-and-choose religion) work on getting to know the big picture, know what issues have higher priority and what have lower. John Warren "... into the narrow lanes, I can't stumble or stay put." - Dylan