Jesus and self defense

[Captain Jack]

The message from Jesus is to turn the other cheek, which means you have to pick your battles. Many things are not worth fighting over. At the same time, don't be a wimp and stand up to protect your life and rights as a human being. Both can exist together.

[SonOfLiberty]

This thread delivers. (Clapping)

[Helpdesk9]

Originally Posted by SonOfLiberty

This thread delivers. (Clapping)

I see what you did there

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2

[Captain Jack]

Originally Posted by SonOfLiberty

This thread delivers. (Clapping)

I guess salvation can come in the form of humor.

[Scouter19D]

Originally Posted by br0ck

Well said! Going to church doesn't make one a christian any more than swimming in a lake makes one a fish!

I don't have a problem with god at all... it is just his fanclub that rubs me the wrong way.

I would like to believe that if there is a god... he wouldn't put you into a position that you couldn't fight your way out of. If you can't fight your way out of it... then maybe it was his plan all along that this instance in time is your time to go. But you could bet I wouldn't lay over and just say "this is his will" without putting up one hell of a fight first! He is a vengeful god is he not? If you are made in his image... I would say you have every right to inflict vengeance as well!

A few slightly skewed theological ideas in your post.... When you say "he would't put you into a position you couldn't fight your way out of", you're skirting on the preaching we refer to as Prosperity Gospel. This is where people think that if they pray, God delivers money to their doorstep so they can have a nice house, and a nice car. God knew before time was time everything that would happen to you in your life. He's been to the beginning and the end, and knows how it's gonna turn out. That said, you still have the free will to make these decisions in your life, it's just that God knows whats going to happen. He allows situations like that in life to teach lessons. Much like cancer, which people think is so unfair. He can use it to bring a family together, or take some home, or any number of reason we cant fathom. The funny thing is, God didn't create you and I to have the magically wonderful, all-attaining lives. When he created us "in His image", He did so for one purpose. To glorify Him! When He sets money on your doorstep, it's His to begin with, and as a true Christian and steward of God's gifts, He expects you to use that money to further His kingdom. Whether that be helping the poor, a charity, or sending a local youth to bible camp.

He IS a vengeful God, but more importantly He is a fair and holy God. His wrath poured out towards sin is a measured response to our actions against Him. In the old testament, He may have given one man the sword to do His will, but not just because someone prayed and said "Hey, I don't like this guy, let's go kill him, together."

And to the thought that you don't mind GOD, but hate his fanclub, I'd challenge you to find any organization, group, or gathering that lacks a person with a flaw. Christians aren't suddenly made sinless when they accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Quite the opposite. Their flaws are revealed more deeply the more they dive into scripture, and find that human nature actually turns and runs from God! This goes back to the original sin, and man being ashamed of what he did, then trying to hide from Yahweh. Bad idea guy! One thing we pray deeply about at Parkway Baptist, is for it's members to NOT reflect the outside world. We believe divorce is a sin, yet it still happens in the church. We believe adultery is a sin, yet it goes on. If TRUE christians would stand firm in their faith and beliefs, and truly change the image we portray of our God here on earth, people would take notice. But if the only people you know that say, "yeah I'm a christian, i go to church" and the most hypocritical people you know, what else would you believe? Those people are everywhere, and we try and try to help everyone along in their walk. The funny part is, so many people use THAT as their excuse as to why God and Christianity are such bad things. Try meeting the God I know, and those people become of very little consequence.

[Scouter19D]

And just for the record, when you refer to the one, true, holy, perfect, everlasting, the great I Am, God is his name, and begins with a capital "G". If you'd like to talk about ones who call themselves "a" god, go ahead and leave em lower. They've definitely earned that as well.

[DixieXD]

My take on it (as a born again Christian) was best depicted in Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider. The preacher had a line of defence that, when crossed, caused him to unfold his hands, lay down his collar, and fill his hands with lead. A true shepherd to the sheep amongst wolves. Wouldn't we all do the same?

Good movie really. Pay no attention to the cheezy trailer.

[rayikeo2]

Originally Posted by Scouter19D

And just for the record, when you refer to the one, true, holy, perfect, everlasting, the great I Am, God is his name, and begins with a capital "G". If you'd like to talk about ones who call themselves "a" god, go ahead and leave em lower. They've definitely earned that as well.

With a faith like you have, I hope you are not disappointed when you find out there might not be eternal life in a place called heaven.

[Carnivorous]

Originally Posted by Scouter19D

A few slightly skewed theological ideas in your post.... When you say "he would't put you into a position you couldn't fight your way out of", you're skirting on the preaching we refer to as Prosperity Gospel. This is where people think that if they pray, God delivers money to their doorstep so they can have a nice house, and a nice car. God knew before time was time everything that would happen to you in your life. He's been to the beginning and the end, and knows how it's gonna turn out. That said, you still have the free will to make these decisions in your life, it's just that God knows whats going to happen. He allows situations like that in life to teach lessons. Much like cancer, which people think is so unfair. He can use it to bring a family together, or take some home, or any number of reason we cant fathom. The funny thing is, God didn't create you and I to have the magically wonderful, all-attaining lives. When he created us "in His image", He did so for one purpose. To glorify Him! When He sets money on your doorstep, it's His to begin with, and as a true Christian and steward of God's gifts, He expects you to use that money to further His kingdom. Whether that be helping the poor, a charity, or sending a local youth to bible camp.

He IS a vengeful God, but more importantly He is a fair and holy God. His wrath poured out towards sin is a measured response to our actions against Him. In the old testament, He may have given one man the sword to do His will, but not just because someone prayed and said "Hey, I don't like this guy, let's go kill him, together."

And to the thought that you don't mind GOD, but hate his fanclub, I'd challenge you to find any organization, group, or gathering that lacks a person with a flaw. Christians aren't suddenly made sinless when they accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Quite the opposite. Their flaws are revealed more deeply the more they dive into scripture, and find that human nature actually turns and runs from God! This goes back to the original sin, and man being ashamed of what he did, then trying to hide from Yahweh. Bad idea guy! One thing we pray deeply about at Parkway Baptist, is for it's members to NOT reflect the outside world. We believe divorce is a sin, yet it still happens in the church. We believe adultery is a sin, yet it goes on. If TRUE christians would stand firm in their faith and beliefs, and truly change the image we portray of our God here on earth, people would take notice. But if the only people you know that say, "yeah I'm a christian, i go to church" and the most hypocritical people you know, what else would you believe? Those people are everywhere, and we try and try to help everyone along in their walk. The funny part is, so many people use THAT as their excuse as to why God and Christianity are such bad things. Try meeting the God I know, and those people become of very little consequence.

VERY well said!

[Carnivorous]

Originally Posted by rayikeo2

With a faith like you have, I hope you are not disappointed when you find out there might not be eternal life in a place called heaven.

Pascal's Wager.

If you don't believe, and it turns out there is no God: you lose nothing.
If you don't believe, and it turns out there IS a God: you spend eternity in hell.

If you believe, and it turns out there is a God: you spend eternity in heaven.
If you believe, and it turns out there is NO God: you waste a lot of time in church.

Seems like a valid gamble to believe rather than not believe. Plus, religion (even if there is no God) has tangible health benefits, so...
Is religion a good prescription? | Psychology Today
Is Prayer Good for Your Health? A Critique of the Scientific Research
On Faith Panelists Blog: Religious Devotion Can Bring Tangible Health Benefits - Michael Otterson
Dr. Harold G. Koenig of Duke Universtiy on how religion affects our health - Beliefnet.com