If we get nuked?

[Catsmeow]

It's going to be hard to respond to a rogue nuke incident. That's why it's vital we continue to track down the ones most likely to do it and prevent it.

Just wondering about what you said, are you against following the Christian idea of "turning the other cheek" ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Evil begets evil.

Mercy begets mercy.

Which is greater? Light or darkness?

[Guest Nazim Ali]

The reason i asked is because when my Christian friend first told me this saying, he said it applies to everything.

Where does it say in the BIble that it only applies to something personal only? I just want it referenced because from what he told me, it applies to everything.

[Catsmeow]

That's why you must read it for yourself and not just believe everything anyone tells you.

Haven't you heard numerous interpretations of the Koran? I have. Why? Because people tend to take anything, (even their own checkbook, lol) and crunch the numbers to make it fit the budget. *(that was a joke)

Point being is.....people can take anything out of context. It's a little hard to understand a single verse of scripture if you don't read the BOOK....

The Bible also says there is a time to every season under heaven...a time for war and a time for peace.

There were specific times God ordained war. It's not that God delights in war but sometimes it's a necessity.

You seem very literate in English and understand the nuances of our language so you will be able to understand the verses in context.

Read the whole context. Jesus allowed horrible violence to be done to Himself. He gave Himself as a living sacrifice ...a perfect sacrifice for us. It was an act of love.

If you had a son, you would probably love him so much that if you had to, you'd give your own life to save his.

God loves us so much, He gave His own Son to save us. Was it easy? Probably not. In fact, it was probably the hardest thing God ever did but it was necessary to take a perfect and spotless "lamb" (sacrifice) who bore NO guilt, to assume the guilt of a sinful humanity.

We are all sinners. It took enormous love to give Himself up for the whole of sins of humanity.

Our normal response once we accept His sacrifice SHOULD be *(as we grow and mature as believers) is to become more like His nature...loving, forgiving, kind, merciful, gentle, good, honest, truthful, generous, faithful).

It doesn't happen "overnight" Nazim. It takes time. We are like children growing and developing and becoming more like Him by nature.

We still have to deal with this "human nature"...this hard and difficult nature that tends to be selfish....but gradually, we DO become more and more like Him.

Those who do are known by their "fruit"...Nazim. They become new people with a new nature.

Those who don't, show evidence that their "belief" was only superficial and not authentic.

Some people do take longer to mature than others, of course. But eventually, we hope to grow and become more like Him.

[dgolvach]

Nazim,

"Turning the other cheek" only applies to personal insults. It has to do with how we repsond to daily personal conflicts. For example if someone gossips about us, we are not to take revenge by gossipping about them. We are not to return insult for insult.

That admonition has nothing to do with the rules of war, and self defense when life is being threatened. A nuclear attack would be the supreme act of war, and retaliation would be a moral imperative.

Shilow 357,

EXACTLY! This lack of understanding of "turn the other cheek is dangerous". This verse was about human pride, not national defence. We are aware of the countries that are harboring this deadly mindset and they need to know that the gloves will come off and that its in their best interest to STOP allowing this "death to the infidels" brand of religion. If your neighbor is breeding cobras and allowing them to enter into your back yard where your children play, you owe your neighbor 1 warning. If they don't stop, what is your responsibility as a parent? Is it un-Christian to protect your family? I think not. Do the Islamonuts mind slaughtering your children? They don't even mind slaughtering theirs! Forget yours!

Ask the poor parents in Russia or Israel. How about the millions of non-violent Arabs or Muslims who have felt the sting of Radical Islamic terror.

Dan

[Guest shiloh357]

The reason i asked is because when my Christian friend first told me this saying, he said it applies to everything.

Where does it say in the BIble that it only applies to something personal only? I just want it referenced because from what he told me, it applies to everything.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nazim, your friend is incorrect. Here is the verse you are speaking of along with the verses that surround it:

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Context is everything.

In the first century, slapping someone on the cheek as the ultimate personal insult. I was their equivalent to the modern gesture of giving someone "the finger." What Jesus is talking about in the whole of this section of Scripture is that we are not to take revenge to defend wounded pride. When someone wrongs us, we are to respond with kindness. Nothing in this passage forbids self defense against a violent assailant.

"Eye for an eye" was meant to be used as system of recompense for an injury done to another person. It was a judgement to be carried out by the magistrates. In other words, if you injure a person, the judge would sentence you to compensate that person for the cost of their medical care and any lost wages as a result of the injury you caused.

By the time the 1st century had rolled around, this commandment had been perverted into a justification for seeking personal revenge. It was that incorrect usage of the commandment that Jesus was trying to correct.

Soooo, it is because Jesus is talking about getting slapped on the cheek, that I know he is talking about personal relationships, and not American foreign policy or how to respond to terrorism.

"Turning the other cheek" should NEVER be used to justify pacifism or any other form of cowardice. Jesus is not advocating the horrible notion that people should just allow others to slaughter their children and families. He is not speaking against defending one's country or one's family.

[other one]

It's going to be hard to respond to a rogue nuke incident. That's why it's vital we continue to track down the ones most likely to do it and prevent it.

Just wondering about what you said, are you against following the Christian idea of "turning the other cheek" ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nazim, if you strike me on one cheek, I will turn the other, if you kill my wife or family, I'll hunt you down wherever you may be and send you to God to let Him deal with you. May or may not be scriptural, but it is reality. I think you wil find a lot of people who feel the same way in this country.

[Trinity]

I would help the authorities by searching them down, but i will not go as far as killing them... i'll just let the authorities do that for me.

[ted]

Hi Nazim.

Sorry it took so long to respond to your question, but I was out of town this weekend and was tired last night.

No, I take the Bible for what it says, and try my best to follow it. As to my position, I think that Shilo357 and Other One summed up it best for me and have nothing to add to their responses.

I would like to welcome you to Worthy, though, and Pray that you will be Blessed here.

t.

[other one]

If we get nuked?, How should we respond?

How about DIE VERY QUICKLY...

[OneAccord]

However, there are some of us who are followers of Christ that believe that He meant exactly what He said when He commanded us to resist not an evil person, to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies and to bless those who persecute you.

These are very hard sayings, and many Christians show a lack of faith and trust in their God to guard them and keep them when they walk in complete obedience to these His commandments.

Love conquers all. Mercy triumphs over justice.