For your UTER sickness...Jerry Falwell on IS GOD EVER PRO-WAR

[Khephra]

(Press release mail out)

Falwell Confidential

Date: January 29, 2004
From: Jerry Falwell

IS GOD EVER PRO-WAR

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

Christians have struggled with the issue of war for centuries. Before Jesus arrived on the scene, all good people wrestled with war and the existence of evil. Thankfully, the Bible is not silent on the subject.

Before we examine war, though, let's look at the God of Peace.

One of God's primary attributes is peace. Isaiah said the Messiah would bear these names: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). God longs for all people to live in peace. That is how He created the universe - in total peace and harmony.

Christians are to be people of peace.

One of the most notable biblical commands to live in peace is in Romans 12:18: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

With the Bible clear on our responsibility to live peaceably, it seems that there would be no reason to ever go to war. However, if one depends on the Bible as a guidepost for living, it is readily apparent that war is sometimes a necessary option. In fact, just as there are numerous references to peace in the Bible, there are frequent references to God-ordained war.

Many present-day pacifists hold Jesus as their example for unvarying peace. But they ignore the full revelation concerning Jesus pictured in the book of Revelation 19, where He is depicted bearing a "sharp sword" and smiting nations, ruling them with "a rod of iron."

Moreover, the Song of Victory in Exodus 15 hails God as a God of War: "... The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name." And, as the verses that open this column indicate, there is indeed a time for war.

God actually strengthened individuals for war, including Moses, Joshua and many of the Old Testament judges who demonstrated great faith demonstrated in battle. And God destroyed many armies challenging the Israelites. I Chronicles 14:15 describes God striking down the Philistines.

God even gives counsel to be wise in war. Proverbs 20:18: "Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war."

Today, America continues to face the horrible realities of our fallen world. Suicide bombings and terrorist actions are beamed live into our homes daily. This serves as a constant reminder of the frailty of our flesh.

It is apparent that our God-authored freedoms must be defended.

Throughout the book of Judges, God calls the Israelites to go to war against the Midianites and Philistines. Why? Because these nations were trying to conquer Israel, and God's people were called to defend themselves.

President Bush declared war in Iraq to defend innocent people. This is a worthy pursuit. In fact, Proverbs 21:15 tells us: "It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity."

One of the primary purposes of the church is to stop the spread of evil, even at the cost of human lives. If we do not stop the spread of evil, many innocent lives will be lost and the kingdom of God suffers.

Finally, some reading this column will surely ask, "Doesn't the sixth commandment say, 'Thou shalt not kill?'"

Actually, no; it says: "Thou shalt not commit murder."

There is a difference between killing and murdering. In fact, many times God commanded capital punishment for those who break the law.

We continue to live in violent times. The Bible tells us war will be a reality until Christ returns. And when the time is right, Jesus will indeed come again, ending all wars.

Until that time, however, Christians must live as Galatians 6:2 instructs: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

[Khephra]

1. Am I right?

He doesn't mention Jesus's words once in this piece? Or am I reading too fast out of anger?

[Hekate]

6. You're right--he doesn't quote Jesus anywhere

Falwell: Many present-day pacifists hold Jesus as their example
for unvarying peace. But they ignore the full revelation concerning
Jesus pictured in the book of Revelation 19, where He is depicted
bearing a "sharp sword" and smiting nations, ruling them with "a
rod of iron."

The apocalyptic visions of the Book of Revelations, which was not authored by Jesus, is as close as Falwell gets. (The imagery in Revelations is actually drawn from a popular literary style going around the Mediterranean at the time it was written. Hmmm.)

If I'm not mistaken Falwell prefers to quote the Old Testament, which is full of fire & brimstone, judgments and jeremiads. Didn't Jesus say that he came to bring a NEW covenant that supplanted the old? (No disrespect intended to the folks who compose the living Jewish practice; just my noodge in the direction of the all-knowing Falwell. The OT also has , in addition to love poetry (Solomon), existential anguish (Ecclesiastes), and proverbs.) What Jesus said was things like Love your neighbor as yourself. Consider the lilies of the field. Blessed are the meek. These three abideth: faith, hope, and love (caritas); and the greatest of these is love.

Falwell and Robertson, odious duo who sit in smug judgment of the rest of suffering humanity, not hesitating to point out that Californians brought the Northridge Earthquake on themselves, not hesitating (on 9-13-2001) to claim that 9-11 was God's punishment on the USA. Here's the exact quote from my files:

Falwell on the attacks of Sept. 11: "The abortionists have got to
bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. I really
believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and
the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an
alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way—-all
of them who have tried to secularize America—-I point the finger
in their face and say, 'You helped this happen."
Falwell, appearing on "Christian" television: "God continues to
lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us
probably what we deserve."
Robertson, replying: "Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just
seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what
they can do to the major population."

Those two and their pals may use words like "God" and "Jesus" and selectively quote the OT and the NT, but after due consideration I've got to say that the "god" they worship is not the Divine Presence I know. In other words, their god is not my god, and thank God for that.

Hekate

~~~Psst. Who's this God that talks to George W. Bush? Pass it on.
http://wiredheart.hispeed.com/july02/kent_southard_nf.html
"The True Face Of The Conservatives Behind Bush"
http://www.politicalamazon.com/cr-links.html
Political Amazon: "Christian Reconstructionism Links"

[MrPrax]

20. Imagery in Revelations

You sound like you know what your talking about...

My understanding is that Revelations was written by John of Patmos (and probably written after 80 AD before 135 AD).

For a long time it was assumed to be John the Apostle, but not likely.

I think many feel that since Revelations is so out of step in 'tone' with the rest of the New Testament and the Gospels, it is more a 'political' doctrine written when the early church was struggling to survive and legitimize itself...

What better 'propaganda' than to make your enemies think that your 'God' has vast armies of Heaven, a white throne and a future 'city' on His side...

[GOPisEvil]

14. Not only that, it's OLD TESTAMENT scripture!!

Classic Christian fundamentalist bait and switch. Call yourself a Christian, but base your beliefs on the Old Testament so you don't actually have to preach about peace, love and tolerance.

[AZCat]

2. Isn't it amazing...

How god always hates the same people he does?

What an evil man.

[Khephra]

3. As a "believer" in "something"

I constantly am amazed by how much these freaks forget the words of Jesus.

[stevedeshazer]

4. You are right

I sure wish these alleged Christians, these professed followers of Jesus, would remember his teachings.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5 verse 5
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy." Matthew 5 verse 7
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5 verse 9
"In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets."  Matthew 7:12

[BeFree]

5. A wolf in sheeps clothing

and a false prophet

I almost feel sorry for Fallwell, God has a special place for his kind

Say, does anyone have an 800 number for Jerry? I'd like to call.

[camero]

7. And the whore of Babylon

That instead of bringing people to Christianity, turns them away.

[maggrwaggr]

8. Is he a Jew? That's all Old Testament stuff

Obviously Falwell doesn't know what the word CHRISTian is all about.

See, there was this guy named Jesus ....

[populistmom]

9. "blessed are the peacemakers"

Must not be in his copy of the Bible :eyes:

[Cleita]

10. Too bad he doesn't get his war unexpectedly.

Like what if a lot of pissed off Arab terrorists stormed his plantation and took him hostage, threatening to blow themselves and him up if the USA doesn't get the hell out of Iraq. I could almost enjoy that.

[Bake]

11. I hate to nitpick, but this has been said over and over here:

It's REVELATION -- NOT "Revelations". In Greek, just Apocalypse.

Otherwise, I couldn't agree more! God is not pro-war. As the famous Interview with the Almighty put it, in the Onion (sorry I don't have a link), God said, "I thought I made it as simple as possible: NO KILLING!"

There are necessary wars (and THIS AIN'T ONE OF 'EM!). They are pretty rare. And even when they are necessary, they are a necessary EVIL. There is nothing good about killing.

Bake

[SPQR]

12. Kill vs. commit murder

I've seen this arguement before from the fundies, that the commandment says "commit murder", not "kill". Does anyone know if this is true, does the original text say "commit murder" rather than "kill"? And if so, is there a linguistic distinction between the two that would justify their point?

[IrateCitizen]

17. Didn't Jesus also say something about "letter of the law"?

I think he actually DENOUNCED those who strove to follow the "letter of the law" as hypocrites more concerned with tradition than with actual faith. I think he also said something about there really being only two laws to be followed -- and if those were followed, everything else would fall into place:
1. Love God with all your heart.
2. Love your neighbor as you would want to be loved.

Note: "neighbor" is meant in a much broader sense than simply those in your immediate vicinity. It applies to everyone you might encounter, as evidenced by the story of the good Samaritan.

Falwell is little different from the Pharisees that Jesus railed against. If he were to come back today, I think Falwell would call for his crucifiction all over again.

[K-W]

13. What do you think Jesus would have done if hed known this would happen?

Im guessing he would have just stuck to building chairs.

[Bandit]

15. Being against war is a Christian thing. They wouldn't understand it.

:shrug: I've got a book that talks about war also.

[NormanConquest]

16. Ever heard of St. Francis, Jerry?

Oh, that's right...he was Catholic.... :eyes:

[Cat Atomic]

18. Just say it, Jerry: jihad.

Men like this are all the same. Osama bin Laden, Jerry Falwell... they shake different books, but they're the same twisted creeps.

[Terwilliger]

19. hard for something that does't exist to be pro-war

If it did, I'd say god is anti-Falwell