Post by darylgene2003I would totally agree with the last part. What would you do with those
who ignore it? Would it not be justified to "start" a war if a regime
were slaughtering innocents?
No. The only Godly response would be to work to lessen or eliminate the
slaughter, not to increase it. Aggression may justify a defensive response
but it does not justify further aggression.
Post by darylgene2003Was Lincoln unjustified in "starting" the Civil War?
No.
Post by darylgene2003Ought not the strong protect the weak?
Absolutely, which is why they should never start wars, but instead work to
end them.
Post by darylgene2003I know there are a good many motives that are
corrupt and filled with greed and envy, a people must be careful to
examine their own motives, but God did not forbid war, sometimes He
commanded it (if the OT is to be believed.)
And He still has the right to do so, but we do not. He is the Author of
life and only He has the right to take it, or to authorize its taking (which
He does under only very limited circumstances).
Post by darylgene2003His voice is less audible
now, we need to take care, that is true, but I would not be so quick
to make a blanket condemnation.
Nor would I, except that He already did, when He taught us that all of His
Law can be summarized in two parts: to love Him with all our being, and our
neighbor as ourselves.
I do not see how we can love people by murdering them, or love God by
destroying those made in His image.
As for His voice being less audible today, perhaps our servile obedience to
the forces of death (via abortion, euthanasia, war, coercive government,
medical experimentation, environmental contamination, and various other
means) might be partly to blame. Every human being, whether or not he or she
looks like us or acts like us or has the same values or beliefs or political
systems as we do, is created unique and in the very image of God Himself. As
such, insofar as possible, every life should be protected, and none should
be destroyed.
We might want to consider doing this again, and repenting of not having done
so in the past, if we truly wish to hear from Him again.
Joe