If I recall the words of Jesus correctly he spoke of an absolute rejection of any violence. I think he would recommend a complete dismantling of the whole military establishment, not just a reduction of weapons of mass destruction. Church father Origen (third century A.D.) took that position when he defended the early church’s pacifist stance. I think that is what he meant when he responded to his pagan antagonist Celsus with “we will not support the emperor with the sword, but we will pray for him …” (Origen - Contra Celsum, ed. by H. Chadwick, p. 509). When the church became part of the government its leaders developed the idea of the “just war” which actually was already advocated by the Roman government centuries before. Doesn’t Jesus say that those who BELIEVE AND OBEY are truly safely grounded and won’t be swept away? (Matthew 7, 24) The words of Jesus haven’t been popular in the church since the days of Constantine.
I completely agree, and at the end of the essay argued that we should work toward the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons.
I clearly think that the Gospel calls us to absolute peace in the name of the Prince of Peace. Much of what I plan to post this year will flesh out just that case.
Meantime, we must live in the fallen world of the here and now. While important to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons we can also work toward some basic harm reduction. The case I made, I think, does that. While certainly not easy to gain acceptance, it is a plan that can possibly gain support. Peace.
The main thrust of my position is that Christians have abandoned the clear words of Jesus against violence. For me the whole concept of a Christian country or nation is an oxymoron. This was clearly the position till the fourth century AD. From then to the present the vast majority of Christians have been disregarding the plain teaching of Jesus with the active assistance of the clergy. It was Bill’s reference to you essay that induced me to check it out. Good luck with your future efforts.
My old service, the Air Force, will fight for new ICBMs and new "stealth" bombers just because they always want MORE. More money, more bases, more planes, more power. Doesn't matter if America needs them or not. Doesn't matter if new nuclear weapons may end the world. What matters is dominance, especially Air Force dominance over the U.S. Navy and Army.
"Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force" in its budgetary battles at the Pentagon.
If I recall the words of Jesus correctly he spoke of an absolute rejection of any violence. I think he would recommend a complete dismantling of the whole military establishment, not just a reduction of weapons of mass destruction. Church father Origen (third century A.D.) took that position when he defended the early church’s pacifist stance. I think that is what he meant when he responded to his pagan antagonist Celsus with “we will not support the emperor with the sword, but we will pray for him …” (Origen - Contra Celsum, ed. by H. Chadwick, p. 509). When the church became part of the government its leaders developed the idea of the “just war” which actually was already advocated by the Roman government centuries before. Doesn’t Jesus say that those who BELIEVE AND OBEY are truly safely grounded and won’t be swept away? (Matthew 7, 24) The words of Jesus haven’t been popular in the church since the days of Constantine.
I completely agree, and at the end of the essay argued that we should work toward the complete elimination of all nuclear weapons.
I clearly think that the Gospel calls us to absolute peace in the name of the Prince of Peace. Much of what I plan to post this year will flesh out just that case.
Meantime, we must live in the fallen world of the here and now. While important to work toward the elimination of nuclear weapons we can also work toward some basic harm reduction. The case I made, I think, does that. While certainly not easy to gain acceptance, it is a plan that can possibly gain support. Peace.
The main thrust of my position is that Christians have abandoned the clear words of Jesus against violence. For me the whole concept of a Christian country or nation is an oxymoron. This was clearly the position till the fourth century AD. From then to the present the vast majority of Christians have been disregarding the plain teaching of Jesus with the active assistance of the clergy. It was Bill’s reference to you essay that induced me to check it out. Good luck with your future efforts.
My old service, the Air Force, will fight for new ICBMs and new "stealth" bombers just because they always want MORE. More money, more bases, more planes, more power. Doesn't matter if America needs them or not. Doesn't matter if new nuclear weapons may end the world. What matters is dominance, especially Air Force dominance over the U.S. Navy and Army.
"Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force" in its budgetary battles at the Pentagon.