WAR

War

The Problem: It seems that war is never a positive enterprise. For this reason, it is debated whether war should be waged at all. If people will die, is War God’s will?

I. Views
1.“War Bird”- War is Just for what ever reason, This ranges from personal gain, revenge, defense, to aid of others
2.“War Dove”-This view holds that regardless of the situation, war is never an option. Those in this camp strive to “turn the other cheek”
3. Concious Christian-This view seeks to evaluate if, when, how to wage war. This view is conscious that whatever is done must glorify Christ.

II. Sources of Authority that Influence View

A. Scriptural Teaching

Eccl 3:1/8 NASU
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven –… A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.

Rom 12:18 NASU
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Heb 11:33-34 NASU
who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

Mic 4:1-4 NASU
And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. 4 Each of them will sit under his vine And under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid,

B. Helpful Quotes

Patristic

Erasmus
Peace is the highest good to which even the lovers of the world turn all their efforts.,
War is such a monstrous pursuit that it’s proper only for beasts, not men; so crazy that even the poets suppose Furies bring it upon us; so infectious that it spreads moral corruption far and near; so unjust that it’s most effectively waged by the most cruel of thieves;so impious that it’s utterly detestable to Christ. And so at last shall appear, how great madness it is, with so great tumult, with so great labors, with such intolerable expenses, with so many calamities, affectionately to desire war: whereas agreement might be bought with far less price.(http://san.beck.org/GPJ12-Erasmus,Anabaptists.html)

Reformers

Martin Luther
What the proverb says is true: ‘War is pleasant to those who have not experienced it.’ For young folk–who still have young, hot blood–consider nothing finer than the glory and the victory of war, by which they can shine. These carnal inclinations are easily extinguished later on, when such folk have experienced their own and their relatives’ calamity. But before these calamities strike, the world is ignorant of the blessings of peace, and war truly is pleasant to those who have never experienced it. Histories show this. In them seditious people often denounce peace. Since men usually become sluggish and coward in times of quiet, they desire war as a sowing for glory and an opportunity for showing their courage
It is not right to start a war whenever any frantic lord takes it into his head. For at the very outset I want to say, before saying anything else, that he who starts a war is wrong and that it is just for him who draws the sword first to be defeated or at least to be punished in the end. (www.strike-the-root.com/3/schultz/schultz1.html)

Modern

C.H. Spurgeron
So combustible are the materials of which this great world is made, that I am ever apprehensive of war. I do not account it wonderful that one nation should strive against another, I account if far more wonderful that they are not all at arms. Whence come wars and fightings? Come they not from your lusts? Considering how much lust there is in the world, we might well conceive that there would be more war than we see. Sin is the mother of wars; and remembering how plentiful sin is, we need not marvel if it brings forth multitudes of them. We may look for them. If the coming of Christ be indeed drawing nigh, then we must expect wars and rumors of wars through all the nations of the earth. (www.lewrockwell.com/vance/vance37.html)

III. My Position

While it is ideal for the Christian to persue peace with all men, It seems Scripture teaches that peace will not be found until the fullness of Christ’s Kingdom. Therefore until that time, “War is a necessary Evil”. It does seem that there is a distinction in the reason and methods by which the righteous wage war and the reason and methods of unbelievers. It is the duty of the saints to go to and wage war (if necessary), according to standards taught in Scripture. For the Christian, if war must be waged, then it must be done so in a God honoring way.

Racism

Racism

The Problem Since the beginning of mankind, there has constantly been racial tensions. This tension is rooted in the question,”Is one race better than another?”

Views

Supremacist-This view have been held at one time or another by members of every single race. This view holds that one race is superior to the others, and therefore has the right and ability to suppress the others.

Racial Complementarian- This view holds that all races are equal in worth but that the races have different roles. This view has been criticized to be a Supremacist view in disguise.

Racial Egalitarian-This view holds that every race is equal in worth and in ability. Each race is capable of education, political rule, and salvation.

II. Sources of Authority

A. Scriptural Teaching
Rom 10:12 NASU
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

Col 3:11 NASU
a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all

Rev 7:9 NASU
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

Acts 2:17 NASU
‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;

B. Helpful Quotes

Patriarchs

Aristides the Philosopher
For it is clear to us, O King, that there are three classes of men in this world; these being the worshippers of the gods acknowledged among you, and Jews, and Christians. Further they who pay homage to many gods are themselves divided into three classes, Chaldæans namely, and Greeks, and Egyptians; for these have been guides and preceptors to the rest of the nations in the service and worship of these many-titled deities.

Reformers

John Calvin
Now Paul assumes it as an axiom which is received among all the pious….that the whole human race is obnoxious to a curse, and therefore that the holy people are blessed only through the grace of the Mediator…I therefore thus interpret the present place; that God promises to his servant Abram that blessing which shall afterwards flow down to all people. (mb-soft.com/believe/txs/calvine.htm)

Modern

Southern Baptists
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That we, the messengers to the Sesquicentennial meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, assembled in Atlanta, Georgia, June 20-22, 1995, unwaveringly denounce racism, in all its forms, as deplorable sin; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we affirm the Bibles teaching that every human life is sacred, and is of equal and immeasurable worth, made in Gods image, regardless of race or ethnicity (Genesis 1:27), and that, with respect to salvation through Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for (we) are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28); and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we lament and repudiate historic acts of evil such as slavery from which we continue to reap a bitter harvest, and we recognize that the racism which yet plagues our culture today is inextricably tied to the past; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime; and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously (Psalm 19:13) or unconsciously (Leviticus 4:27); and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we ask forgiveness from our African-American brothers and sisters, acknowledging that our own healing is at stake; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we hereby commit ourselves to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to be doers of the Word (James 1:22) by pursuing racial reconciliation in all our relationships, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 2:6), to the end that our light would so shine before others, that they may see (our) good works and glorify (our) Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16); and
Be it finally RESOLVED, That we pledge our commitment to the Great Commission task of making disciples of all people (Matthew 28:19), confessing that in the church God is calling together one people from every tribe and nation (Revelation 5:9), and proclaiming that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only certain and sufficient ground upon which redeemed persons will stand together in restored family union as joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17)

My View
While in Scripture God did use certain races for certain things, I feel in light of the whole counsel of Scripture that God Is the God of all mankind insomuch as he will treat all races equally, and therefore believers should as well.

The Camel, Will it carry you or spit in your eye?

Kevin Greeson of the IMB has set forth a method of evangelism known as the “camel method.” This method has been adopted by the IMB of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Camel Training “goes beyond teaching an evangelical method for reaching Muslims.”(ii) The goal set forth is to train the reader to facilitate a “massive church planting movement among the Muslims in your community”. (ii) Greeson states, “Reaching Muslims for Christ is NOT the ultimate goal.” (emphasis quoted not added, ii).

It is peculiar that Greeson states what he does about the goal of the Camel Method being a Church planting movement. ”Nowhere in the New Testament do we find the commandment to plant churches”. Evangelism must be the goal. New Testament teaching is clear that the church is to be constructed of believers. Unless evangelism is the goal then one is simply planting “churches” full of lost people. The first step in church planting is evangelism. This is how the church is birthed. Greeson cannot plant churches without evangelism; moreover any CPM (Church plant movement) that focuses on planting over evangelism is unbiblical. Evangelism must be the first priority.

The Camel method will be explained and then evaluated systematically. By understanding what the Camel method This method is explained below:

1. Isa is Holy (58)
This uses Surah 3:45-47:
Behold! the angels said: Oh Mary Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: His name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of those nearest Allah; 46 “He shall speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be of the righteous.” 47 She said: Oh my Lord! How shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?” He said: “Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: When He hath decreed a plan, He but saith to it, ‘Be’, and it is!

to point out Christ is righteous, and unique. Greeson uses this Quranic text to compare the Holiness of Allah to the Holiness of Jesus; He discloses that this Holiness is of the same quality. This is an honorable endeavor to relate Christ with the One God of Holiness. It is further wise to build on the presuppositions of an unbeliever-providing that what is built is glorifying to Christ.

While it does behoove the Christian evangelist to dialog with unbelievers who actually believe in the virgin birth, it could lead to dangerous theological grounds to find common ground in these texts. While as a Southern Baptist missionary, there is little doubt that Greeson believes in the eternality of Christ; yet to begin an individual along the road to salvation with the presupposition that Jesus is a created being is a grave injustice to do to the King and the Kingdom. Any evangelism that is done should strive to teach proper Biblical views of Christ from the very beginning of the gospel. This may seem insignificant to some, however is should be noted that on the account of many Christians allowing compromises to the Gospel, heresies, cults and schisms have arose throughout church history.

2. Isa has Power over death (59)
Surah 3:49
And a messenger to the Children of Israel:” I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s leave: And I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe;

The point of the use of the use of this text is to illuminate the fact that Jesus has power over death. However it would deduce that if Jesus has the power over death, according to this text, then he also gives the sign of the bird. This sign of the bird is a pseudepigraphic account of Christ’s activities.

CHAPTER XV
And when the Lord Jesus was seven years of age, he was on a certain day with other boys his companions about the same age. 2 Who when they were at play, made clay into several shapes namely, asses, oxen, birds, and other figures, 3 Each boasting of his work and endeavoring to exceed the rest. 4 Then the Lord Jesus said to the boys, I will command these figures which I have made to walk. 5 And immediately they moved and when he commanded then to return, they returned. 6 He had also made the figure of birds and sparrows, which when he commanded to fly, did fly, and when he commanded to stand still, did stand still; and if he gave them meat and drink they did eat and drink. 7 When at length the boys went away, and related these things to their parents, their fathers said to them, Take heed children, for the future, of his company, for he is a sorcerer; shun and avoid him, and from henceforth never play with him. http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/LostBooks/infancyall.htm

This again is a weak foundation to build upon. One must understand that in the succeeding verses of The Infancy Gospel of Thomas when Jesus kills another boy for simply running into Him (Caner, 113). Granted Greeson states, “It is critical that you understand the purpose and goal of the Camel Method. It is not to lead a Muslim to salvation in Christ. Its purpose is to draw out a Person of Peace.” However, while building his principle of “The Person of Peace” upon Luke 10, Greeson unpacks every part of this pericope except the theme of the biblical text.

Luke 10:8-11
8 “Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you;9 and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 “But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 “Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’

This text is centered on the kingdom, therefore- the goal of finding the person of peace is to tell the “gospel of the Kingdom” to that person in whose house you stay. Moreover Greeson’s purposes for the Camel Training method are misguided. Jesus’ focus was never on finding “people of peace” or “planting churches.” Christ has one church built on this decree regarding who He is.

Matt 16:16-19
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

3. Isa Knows the way to heaven (60)
Surah 3:55
Behold! Allah said: O Jesus I will take thee and raise thee to myself and clear thee of those who blaspheme, I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith, to the Day of Resurrection: Then shall ye all return unto me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.

This is the strongest point in the Camel Method. This is due to the fact that this Surah in no point is contrary to Scripture. The concept of the Camel Method is a biblical one. Paul spoke on Mars Hill to the Greeks of the unknown God, he reasoned in the synagogue of the prophesies fulfilled. The method of the Camel is what has been critiqued.

Greeson is a true New Testament evangelist in that he seeks to deal with the presuppositions of those he encounters. This is an admirable goal. The entirety of the objections discussed deal with fact that the Camel Method allows for teaching that is unbiblical. To avoid confusion, The Quran is acceptable to use as a bridge to the gospel, insomuch as the evangelist does not allow for unbiblical teaching. Muslims claim for the Quran what it does not claim for itself. Therefore, we as Christians must not allow the thought that the Quran is theologically authoritative. Presuppositions may be used, but truth must take precedent over opinion.

While the Camel is a great idea, it falls short in practice. Perhaps, if evangelists dealt with John the Baptist (a prophet of Islam:)) and what he says regarding Isa (Jesus) we would have less Muslim backgroud believers who seek truth in the Quran.

The Koran replaces the Bible at swearing-in oath

This is the title of a recent afa atricle found here

While most often I stand with AFA this I feel is a bit much, here is the response I sent to AFA;

“While I have read, forwarded, signed and boycotted nearly every AFA suggested email, This deal regarding Keith Ellison is ignorant. I am deeply offended and shocked that a Evagelical Christian NPO as AFA would stand on the “theological” ground as a reformed(if not secular) Jew (Prager). I must assume that the writers of the latest email know as little (or are just as biased) as Prager regarding Islam. Regardless of the fact that no one “remembers” thousands of Palestinian Christians(yes, Arab Christians, not just Muslims) being shot a buried by Zionists in the 40’s (and today for that matter), The Gospel is to show people Jesus, not legeslate religion. That leads to things such as Roman Catholicsm, The Church of England, and other historical blunders such as the Crusades; all in the name of Jesus. Moreover use by Prager of “single American-hating Muslim” and the quotation therof by AFA shows not only a lack of education regarding popular Islam and America(or simply a bias), but a lack of compassion toward the lost of Islam. Please seek to win the soul, not the fight. While as a SBC Pastor originally from MS, with graduate work and mission experience in Islam and Judaism; I do appriciate all that AFA does for this country. However, I will not write to my local leaders to legislate religion. I pray you don’t either. “

While I desire to legislate morality if at all possible, to legislate religion is not Biblical. If we have Jerry Falwell as the President and the SBC Convention as Congress it will not make America a Christian Nation, any more than making Bin Laden President will make America a Muslim Nation. Jesus Christ builds His Church, not Bush, Clinton, or the AFA. It is only through repentance and faith in the Gospel that any nation will be “Christian.” This will not occur until the fullness of th Kingdom.