Another great interview. Centuries of information in a few minutes, but great information to give a better perspective of the Christian development of their war doctrines or ideals. I hope this discussion will continue into further problems we are facing today. Thank you for the interview.
I understand that it's good to be non-violent and peace loving, but it's also wrong to overlook crime and oppression. These aren't contractions as long as everything is done out of love. The position that says "let's woo everyone to Christianity", but then says they must quit all governmental or military responsibility IS a seeming contradiction IF (and I think this is true) government is necessary for civilization. Also, to say that there were no Christians in government in the first century is completely false. There is Erastus who was the city treasurer of Corinth and, less directly, but still something to think about Joanna the wife of Herod Antipas' manager. Something else important to say here is that when you become a Christian your primary identity is now in Christ Jesus, not what you do, although you do it for the glory of God. Paul and Luke made this point in the New Testament in regards to Erastus, who's name is mentioned three times, in three books, but only described by his position in one of them.
John the Baptist never told the soldiers to quit as soon as possible. So was he wrong, or were those soldiers actually okay for continuing to be soldiers? Also the Proverbs 31 woman's husband sat at the city gate. So he was likely a guard or a judge, (a government job), and in the entire passage the woman's life was described in positive terms and is considered exemplary. In the Old Testament, God ordered the Israelites to war against their enemies as they were also enemies of God. So at least at that point in time it was Biblically fine. I agree war is often wrong, but I'd need more Bible verses I'm unaware of to reach your conclusion that it is always a sin. Also, it could be the early Christians didn't want to be part of a government that persecuted Christians so they were not part of it for reasons other than nonresistance. I respect you all for your beliefs and support your right to not violate your conscience and fight in wars, but it is important to "rightly divide the word of truth."
Thank you for your respectful disagreement. We have published numerous episodes further developing the doctrine of nonresistance. Feel free to peruse this playlist. I think that, whether or not you like the answers, many of your questions will be addressed. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6-HY2eCCZNE.html
It looks like you've identified a technical mistake on our end. After we stopped filming the episode, the host and guest continued talking. Our transcription software captured the piece of the conversation that didn't get posted to the RU-vid video.
