Dear Pastor,
Have you any belief in God or the Sovereignty of God whatsoever and do you not believe the scriptures that declare God gives life and takes it away?
Did you believe Jesus when he told us to turn the other cheek, to not resist evil?
How can you call yourself a Christian when out of love for your own life you refuse the very commandments of God. I walk out that door each day with no gun because as a Christian it is God who gives my life and takes it away and if he chooses to take it away via either a Church shooting or a car crash then so be it, who am I to disagree with the timing of the one who created the entire universe?
Just so you know, you are not just arguing Dr. Piper here, you are arguing the very word of God. After Jesus commanded a sword be bought he healed the ear of the slave on whom it was used and warned the disciples that whoever lives by the sword, even to defend the most high, will die by it which is why none of the disciples after this incident ever took up a sword or anything else in defense of either themselves or anyone else but instead they laid down their lives and resisted not evil exactly as their master had commanded.
Sincerely yours,
Edna Scopoi
Dear Edna,
You ignorant slut. (Sorry … sometimes I can’t stop myself from channeling Dan Aykroyd.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVtZkyBTabQ
I know it may come as a surprise to you but Christianity is not defined by the pacifistic Anabaptist categories you have adopted. In point of fact, at one point in time Anabaptist “theology” was considered heresy. This, in part, explains my longing for the good old days when the Reformers used to use the “three-times Baptized” technique on the Anabaptist’s. (Just kidding — kind of.)
God does indeed give life and take it away. However this does not mean that I am to idly stand by and watch when someone is attacking my wife and family with intent of bodily harm because I want the attacker to have a chance to go to heaven. Indeed, Scripture informs me that it is my responsibility to provide said attacker with the opportunity to meet the Almighty, if he is has intent of rape or murder on his mind, as inflicted upon the judicially innocent.
Allow me to introduce you to the Westminster Confession. You’ve probably never heard of it being an heretical pacifistic Anabaptist. I trust you have the capacity to look up the texts that correspond to the numbers. These texts from the Bible prove you are ignorant about what Scripture teaches on self-defense or defense of the judicially innocent.
Q.) 135: What are the duties required in the sixth commandment?
A.) 135: The duties required in the sixth commandment are, all careful studies, and lawful endeavors, to preserve the life of ourselves [1] and others [2] by resisting all thoughts and purposes,[3] subduing all passions,[4] and avoiding all occasions,[5] temptations,[6] and practices, which tend to the unjust taking away the life of any; [7] by just defense thereof against violence…
1. Eph. 5:28-29 2. I Kings 18:4 3. Jer. 26:15-16; Acts 23:12, 16-17, 21, 27 4. Eph. 4:26-27 5. II Sam. 2:22; Deut. 22:8 6. Matt. 4:6-7; Prov. 1:10-11, 15-16 7. I Sam. 24:2; 26:9-11; Gen. 37:21-22
Q.) 136: What are the sins forbidden in the sixth commandment?
A) 136: The sins forbidden in the sixth commandment are, all taking away the life of ourselves,[1] or of others,[2] except in case of public justice,[3] lawful war,[4] or necessary defense;[5] the neglecting or withdrawing the lawful and necessary means of preservation of life;[6]
1. Acts 16:28 2. Gen. 9:6 3. Num. 35:31, 33 4. Jer. 48:10; Deut. ch. 20 5. Exod. 22:2-3 6. Matt. 25:42-43; James 2:15-16; Eccl. 6:1-2
So, Enda, we see you are gravely ignorant on what the Scriptures sanction about protecting one’s wife from a rapist by blowing his head off his shoulders.
Now, as to your twisting of texts let us consider them.
Jesus told His disciples not to look for personal revenge. When I am defending the judicially innocent I am not looking for personal revenge. I am defending the judicially innocent against the malignancy of evil. When I am defending myself from the attack of the wicked which is intended to kill me I am not returning evil for evil. I am returning kindness for evil since stopping the malignancy of the evil lunatic is a kindness to them and to others. It would be evil for me to allow the lunatic to continue their rampage.
I believe the command to “turn the other cheek,” was given with the intent of ending personal and individual affronts (not rape and murder) that found people obsessing over paying people back. Jesus is denouncing the impulse in us that always desires to “even the score.” He is NOT teaching that we should go all Quaker and turn a blind eye to someone raping our wives and daughters before our very eyes. Only a Psychopath could really believe that.
Secondly, I bet you wear your safety belt when you go driving around town. Who are you to work against the timing of God who may desire to take your life. How dare you wear that safety belt against the clear commandments of God? How dare you work against God’s timing to take your life in a car accident?
You ask me, “who am I to disagree with the timing of the one who created the entire universe?” My response is, “who are you to think you know the timing for your death of the one who created the entire universe?”
Finally, you cite the whole incident with Jesus, Peter, Malchus and the cutting off of Malchus’ ear.
1.) This does not apply because Jesus was submitting to the Father’s will to be hoisted upon the Cross. When I am defending the life of someone I’m pretty sure that they are not on their way to die for the sins of the world. If I ever come across someone who is about to die for the sins of the world you can be sure I won’t defend them.
2.) Those who live by the sword will indeed die by the sword as the life of Abraham Lincoln illustrates so well. However, self-defense or the defense of the judicially innocent is not living by the sword.
Now, here are some questions for your Anabaptist folly. I’ve already given you a boatload of Scripture above that you have to provide some twisting in order to avoid but here are a few others. What do you do with Jesus saying to His disciples,
Luke 22:35 And He said to them, “When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” They said, “No, nothing. Luke 22:36 And He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one. ”
Then there is the inspired Scripture which teaches,
Jeremiah 48:10: Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.
Finally there is the issue of cowardice. People who refuse to defend the judicially innocent from mayhem and attack strike me as cowards and Scripture speaks very plainly about cowards,
Revelation 21:7 The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son. 8 But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
Enda, you really need to reconsider this line of thought.
