Kill vs Murder

[Guest Annatar: Bringer of Gifts]

So even for a godly cause shedding blood is not good. However, we live in a fallen world. And in a fallen world there is a time for war. In a fallen world we are called as Christians to hate evil. So despite all of the horrors of war and the dubious reasons we go to war, I am glad that a result of WWII was that the Nazi's had to stop cooking people in ovens. There is no peace with something like that. Sometimes good comes out of war. Sometimes war is necessary.

Also, as Christians, the New Testament calls us to a different kind of war. This is a war to win souls for Christ. This is a war against our own sinful natures, the world, Satan and the powers of evil. This war requires the full armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-18. This war should come before all others.

Good post!

There is definitely Biblical justification for taking the lives of certain people under certain circumstances, but that is not to say that killing itself can ever be a "good" thing. It is just one of the unfortunate consequences of the fall. I guess that "murder" could be defined as taking another person's life without any of the justifications put forth in the Bible.

[EricH]

Hi all! I'm new here, but I had to post something. So, I thought I would bring up a topic that has been posed to me of late by a Christian Ukraine immigrant.

The Question is this: How can Christians in America support killing (war) when the Bible states that we are not to kill.

And for argument sake, here is the specific questions that he gave me to answer:

[RustyAngeL]

I guess you think we should have just sat by and let the people that killed 3000 Americans on 9/11 get away with it. We should do anything right? Also you have to understand if we fight them on their turf they are going to come over here. War is not pretty but sometimes it's necessary. There were times in the Old Testament that God told His people to go into a certain land and kill everyone there. I hope you don't think that our men and women that are now serving and those that are christians are doing something wrong, I hope too you don't question their faith. As I said sometimes war is necessary. I come from a military family. I'm proud of every one of them and proud of those that serve now. Just ask anyone here how I feel about our military.

[abm]

I guess you think we should have just sat by and let the people that killed 3000 Americans on 9/11 get away with it. We should do anything right? Also you have to understand if we fight them on their turf they are going to come over here. War is not pretty but sometimes it's necessary. There were times in the Old Testament that God told His people to go into a certain land and kill everyone there. I hope you don't think that our men and women that are now serving and those that are christians are doing something wrong, I hope too you don't question their faith. As I said sometimes war is necessary. I come from a military family. I'm proud of every one of them and proud of those that serve now. Just ask anyone here how I feel about our military.

I come from a military family also.

[abm]

In the NT, some soldiers approached John the Baptist and asked him what they should do in light of the careeer they were in.

And some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."

Luke 3:14 NASB

Notice that John did not instruct them to leave soldiering because it would require killing.

Thanks! I think this is the best responce so far. Simple, concise . . . what I need.

[Inti]

So as long as you can find a passage in the Bible that agree's with your views, even if an opposing passage disagree's with it, your view is never the less correct?

Groovy.

[Guest Godless Heathen]

Yes sometimes war is necessary. Most of the country now agrees that Iraq was not a necessary war.

There is a difference between killing and murder. A soldier killing a soldier is not murder.

Sometimes the innocent are killed during a war and accidental death is different than a soldier purposefully murdering women and children and dashing babies against the rocks.

[RustyAngeL]

Yes sometimes war is necessary. Most of the country now agrees that Iraq was not a necessary war.

There is a difference between killing and murder. A soldier killing a soldier is not murder.

Sometimes the innocent are killed during a war and accidental death is different than a soldier purposefully murdering women and children and dashing babies against the rocks.

Yes and killing innocent people is just what Sadam did. He would come over here and do the same if he had the chance. Count on it. I for one feel safer now that Sadam is out of power.

[Giaour]

Yes sometimes war is necessary. Most of the country now agrees that Iraq was not a necessary war.

Really?

I must have missed that one.

Can you post a link?

[Giaour]

What would have happened if the United States had stayed out? Just over half of Americans (52 percent) think the world would be worse off and a 59 percent majority thinks Iraq would be worse off, if the U.S. military had not taken action.

Opinion Dynamics Corporation conducted the national telephone poll of 900 registered voters for FOX News on November 29-30.

foxnews.com