War, Violence, Christ, and the church.....

Deuteronomy 19:18b-21

and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, 19 then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. 20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. 21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Matthew 5:38-48

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'^[a] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor^[b] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies^[c] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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• How does God treat his enemies? (Jesus)
• Is taking matters in our own hands a basic distrust of the care of God?
• How did Jesus view violence? (his disciples kept calling for it…what was his response?)
• What would Jesus do (I know it sounds trite and cliché, but honesty, what would he do? >)?
• What does Jesus’ life say about war?
• How are we as Christians to live in a world that is full of ‘enemies’? Full of war?
• Can war ever be consistent with the character of Christ? (we are to reflect his character)
• Can you be a Christian and be a person who wields a gun? What about law and order?


let the discussion continue! Thank yall!