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So does the Bible justify war?
War is explained as a tragic consequence of human rebellion against God in Genesis 3, and is (unfortunately) a reality we must deal with this side of Eden and until the return of Jesus.
However, Psalm 46 says God makes an end to war, and the promised Messiah of Isaiah 9 is called the prince of peace, and his will be an everlasting government.
The New Testament sees those messianic prophesies fulfilled in Jesus. However, the surprising thing for those with Old Testament hopes, perhaps, is that Jesus told Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world, otherwise his servants would take up arms. Even in Revelation 19 where Jesus is pictured as a conquering warrior-King ruling the nations with a rod of iron (evoking andbfulfilling Psalm 2), the striking thing is the sword comes out of his mouth. This is poetic imagery emphasizing Christ rules not by military might by by his Word.
And the conclusion of history, foretold through the Bible but quite clear in the last two chapters if Revelation, is the destruction of death and the city gates that never close: in other words war is no more.
So, the Bible accounts for war as a sad, tragic, though sometimes necessary (just war theory for defensive warfare), but never condones military aggression. And, Jesus work will have the result of the eventual end of war.
So US support for the Zionist genocide and Greater Israel Project is not justified as it is a war of aggression.
Why are so many Christians silent as the US government aids war crimes, land grabbing and genocide?
I don't know.
But when I see the destruction that results from the dispensational lobbyists, it just proves to me that folks who would dismiss theology as unimportant get it wrong. Theology is a matter of life and death. Bad theology allows people to argue for evil policies.
The apostle Paul took three chapters in Romans 9 -- 11 to argue that in Jesus there has been a redefinition of Israel. Its no longer ethnic Israel who are true Israel, but only the spiritual seed of Abraham---all who trust in Jesus as the crucified and resurrected Messiah. Luke similarly structures chapters 3 -- 7 of Acts to show that the temple and its leadership are no longer the leaders of the people of God, because Jesus name healed the lame man (chapter 3), was preached with authority that the temple rulers couldn't stop (chapters 4 & 5) and its Jesus to whom both Moses and the temple pointed (Stephen's speech in chapters 6 & 7).
The New Testament doesn't justify a special place for Israel as a political entity. They may have rights as a nation, but must act justly, not unjustly.
Governments bear the sword to punish evildoers, not to commit genocide against peaceful civilians, or discriminate against 2nd-class (i.e. non-Jewish) Israelis.
I'll just also add that being dispensationalist doesn't automatically mean supporting the modern state of israel uncritically
What is a dispensationalist?
Dispensational beliefs arose in the mid 19th century as a relatively new way of viewing redemptive history as divided into multiple ages called dispensations in which God interacts with his chosen people in different ways. I think dispensationalists also believe in a rapture of believers before the great tribulation and before the general resurrection.
It contrasts with the older approach of Covenant Theology, which views both Old Testament and New Testament believers as being saved by grace through faith in God's promise and provision.
John Darby and the Plymouth Brethren developed dispensation theology in the mid-19 century, but the term wasn't coined until 1928.
Relevant to the question to Israel's status, dispensationalists often view the Jews as being saved by God in a different manner than the Christians in the church age. I don't understand their beliefs in detail, but they often believe a political nation-state of Israel is necessary, sometimes with a third temple and the resumption of Jewish temple sacrifices, prior to Jesus return. Thus some dispensation Christians are keen to get a red heifer to help the Jews resume sacrifices.
For details, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism, particularly on how dispensational belief dovetails with Christian Zionism.
Most relevant for the modern day Israel debate:
- Traditional covenant theology views the Christian church as the successor to God's promises to the ethnic state of Israel... thus, there is no special future plan for ethnic Israel (apart from the Christian church)
- Dispensational theology believes that God's promises to ethnic Israel continue, even during the church age... and that God still has a future plan for ethnic Israel. That's why dispensationalists are more likely to support the modern nation state of Israel.
That being said, not every dispensationalist has the same view towards the modern nation state of Israel
So The Greater Israel Project is considered imperative by millions of Pentecostal US Christians and their backing for Trump is a major factor in him backing Israels current genocide and land grabbing.
Not sure Jesus would be too happy about this.
Yes!
God is often described as the LORD of hosts (sometimes translated as LORD of armies) in the Bible.
Sometimes war is necessary (as a last resort) . There are commandments about protecting our family, property, the oppressed, strangers, etc. If we do not protect the vulnerable, we are sinning.
Now, defending and protecting is different from committing deliberate violence. Violence is explicitly condemned in the Bible.
UPDATE:
I forgot the most important war we should make everyday of our lives: The war against our sinful nature:
Ok so you give equal weight to the old testament and the Israelite prophet Isaiah.
Anything Jesus said or did later does not reverse the words of The Old Testament?
So you would also support the Greater Israel Project which aims to restore Jewish control over all the lands from the Nile to the Euphrates river as they were granted by God, as recorded in the Old Testament?
So you would also support the Greater Israel Project which aims to restore Jewish control over...
With all due respect, you are not very knowledgeable of the things you are trying to discuss. If you were, you wouldn't have asked me that because I told you a few messages above that I'm a reformed Christian and I hold to Covenant Theology. By telling you this, you should know that I don't support that... I don't even know what you are talking about, to be honest.
Ok so you give equal weight to the old testament and the Israelite prophet Isaiah.
Anything Jesus said or did later does not reverse the words of The Old Testament?
And this question shows you don't know much about Biblical Christianity either.
I'm sorry but, if you want to debate on a theme (which is clearly what you are trying to do), you should learn a little bit more of your opponent's beliefs.
I am asking because I do not know a lot about your beliefs and thought you would be happy to share your knowledge. It seems I may be mistaken.
You say you don't support The Greater Israel Project but also admit you don't know what it is. Many Christians do support it as it is seen as fulfilling Biblical prophesy. Having read the entire bible I thought you might know this.
Let me explain for you- The Greater Israel Project is the contemporary ambition for Jews to regain the territory promised to them by God in the Old Testament.
Can you explain what you mean by Covenant Theology as it is not something I am familiar with.
I apologize for being rude.
Let me explain for you
The comment I posted a few days ago should answer your question: "I don't think that the State of Israel is the Israel of God. The Church is."
Can you explain what you mean by Covenant Theology as it is not something I am familiar with.
This is a good starting point:
If you watch this, you will have a better understanding of what I mean by Israel of God and reformed theology in general
Have watched the video but still none the wiser as to whether you believe that Gods covenant giving the Jewish people all the land between the Nile and the Euphrates is something you acknowledge and support...or not.
You say you don't know what it is but it is spelled out in the Bible.
'According to the Book of Genesis, the land was first promised by God to Abram's descendants; the text is explicit that this is a covenant between God and Abram for his descendants. [8] Abram's name was later changed to Abraham, with the promise refined to pass through his son Isaac and to the Israelites.'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Israel
So do you believe that Old Testament covenant from God with the Israelites is still valid, or not?
The State of Israel is NOT the Israel of God. The Church is.
So do you believe that Old Testament covenant from God with the Israelites is still valid, or not?
This is already being realized as the Church grows and the Gospel spreads to all nations and it will be fully consummated by the return of Christ, bringing the new heaven and a new earth.
Your view on this matter comes mostly from popular dispensationalism and cultural christianity (which is not Biblical Christianity).
If you really want to learn more, do some research on Covenant Theology vs Dispensationalism.
No, it commands Christians to accept their deaths like lambs to slaughter if the government demands it.
That may be your interpretation but am interested to know @felipes interpretation, since he has read and studied the bible from cover to cover.
I'm a reformed Christian and I hold to Covenant Theology so I don't think that the State of Israel is the Israel of God. The Church is.