I think it was kind of assumed that if you're outside of the Kingdom of Israel (Or Judah, later on) then you followed the local laws, which I imagine generally prohibited murder.
In wars and things, yeah, of course. We also have tons of examples of Jews killing other Jews during wars and "getting off scot free." War was different then, and it is different today.
I dunno. I guess that would depend on whether it was during a war, and all. Like it or not, warfare was commonly pretty brutal during that time period, and it wasn't at all unusual for entire communities or nations to be destroyed.
Wiki says the Catholics and Lutherans have a slightly different numbering system....huh. I learned something today.
Not quite. All sins separate us from God, that's true. However, I don't think all sins are equally serious - telling someone that their sweater looks nice (When it's actually hideous) is not morally on part with eating babies.
All sins need to be forgiven by God and none are good, but I don't think it's accurate to say that they are all equally wrong or equally serious, and I'd be hard pressed to come up with any reason why that would be so.First, I agree that God's law does overrule civil law for Christians. If the law commands me to sin, then I must refuse to obey it, and accept the consequences of doing so. However, killing in and of itself is not sinful, as it depends on the circumstances. (And if you're going to insist that it is always sinful, then could you please make an actual argument, based on Scripture as to why that is?) And finally....last I heard, you were thinking of joining the Canadian army. What, ours is an army of imperialism, and yours is just one of love and friendship and puppybowls?
Yeah, war was brutal. It still really is.
Doesn't this seem, also, like a bit of post-hoc justification? The Israelis were conquered in that period, I think.
Killing during warfare was, and is allowed. They merely took that a little further than we do today. I'm not sure what you expect me to say, really....
Not really, no. The Israeli's really were at war with the Philistines pretty much constantly - both books of Samuel, for instance, are pretty much chock full of constant battles between Philistia and Israel.
Today? I'd say yes, seeing as how we now define destroying hospitals as outside of the rules of war. (Unless it is being used as a military post, and destroying it would guarantee a proportionally greater military objective than the cost of civilian life) And Israel has a professional army now - random nutcases aren't entitled to act as soldiers for Israel. Samson, though, was a judge; effectively a tribal leader. He was a military man, and thus it really was his business to kill the enemy, among other duties. I really don't think you're being fair here.
More so. I just think applying modern rules of warfare (Like modern dress codes or diet) and applying it to ancient societies is really kind of pointless.
Irrelevent. God's law is meant to be permanent - any accusation of "this doesn't apply any more" is false. Noah's laws apply to everyone and the majority of them are repeated in the 10 commandments anyway. Both covenants would be in force.
Not quite. All sins separate us from God, that's true. However, I don't think all sins are equally serious - telling someone that their sweater looks nice (When it's actually hideous) is not morally on part with eating babies.
Maybe I'm just misunderstanding you, or something....because I honestly can't imagine anyone actually living their life that way. Because everyone sins.
Good point. I did not make myself very clear. God doesn't qualify one sin as better or worse than another, but man does and should. It is how we maintain order. Only a sociopath would be unable to tell the difference between an ax murderer and some one who cheats on his taxes.
