Charles Spurgeon on War
41 sats \ 6 comments \ @kepford 31 Jan christianity
"I wish that Christian men would insist more and more on the unrighteousness of war, believing that Christianity means no sword, no cannon, no bloodshed, and that, if a nation is driven to fight in its own defense, Christianity stands by to weep and to intervene as soon as possible, and not to join in the cruel shouts which celebrate an enemy’s slaughter. "
~ Charles Spurgeon
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0 replies \ @kepford OP 31 Jan
This is a topic on which I have prayed and studied for many years. My thinking has changed on it over the years. I don't claim to have the answer but at a minimum I believe it is something all believers should wrestle with to ensure that we are not being influenced by this world and its thinking as well as the power of sinful desires.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @NOV 31 Jan
“In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign... Secondly, a just cause... Thirdly... a rightful intention.”
-Thomas Aquinas
Many have painted World War II as a “just war,” but it may be more helpful to judge individual campaigns rather than the war as a whole. There are some times when a Christian ought to fight.
Can you think of any other examples? Perhaps in our daily lives instead of wars?
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @kepford OP 31 Jan
Funny to me that this quote elicits this response. I read this as a preacher saddened by the cheering of victory in war (just or unjust) instead of weeping for those lost due to the influence of sin in our world.
The point is in our daily lives. Are we thinking like the world (vengeance, I'm right, etc) or are we viewing as Jesus would? Do we pray for and love our enemies or do we relish destroying them?
This is one reason so many non-believers struggle to view Christians as being true followers of Jesus teachings.
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0 sats \ 2 replies \ @026180d3a3 31 Jan
It's a nice idea in theory but there are times when war respects no boundaries.
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0 sats \ 1 reply \ @kepford OP 31 Jan
See, the quote isn't never go to war. The quote is men would see war for what it is and say that vs. cheering it on and celebrating the destruction of God's creation. Christians should not be war mongers.
Jesus example doesn't make sense to the logical human mind. Why would love your enemy? Why would you turn the other cheek? But if you see that this life is fleeting, that God is on the throne. That Jesus is our example it does make sense. Jesus leads a revolution.
Spurgeon is hinting at something. That to many Christians trust in the might of man instead of the sovereignty of God. We have put our trust in armies. We have put our trust in men. Government and the might of our own hands. Or put another way. We are following Satan and not Christ.
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0 sats \ 0 replies \ @026180d3a3 31 Jan
It's definitely a more pacifist stance. Christians shouldn't be war mongers, but neither should they be martyrs. This above position has flavors of the latter.
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