would jesus have joined the army?

[peter grimes]

came up in another thread, so: would jesus have joined the army?
if the answer is no, assuming a good christian is someone striving to be christ-like, can a soldier be a good christian?

Short answer: no.

In my view no honest or genuine Christian can be a member if the us army, air force, or Marines. Navy, for some reason I haven't thought through very well, gets a pass. As does Coast Guard and Reserves.

I guess it's about aggression for me. The departments that get a pass have served important humanitarian roles, that's totally compatible with my views on Christianity.

 

[Borachio]

This is a very good question.

At first it would appear that no jesus would no way have joined the army; certainly not as a combatant. (Salvation Army excluded)

However, might he have joined as a "padre", or army surgeon or somesuch; i.e. a non-combatant?

Wouldn't he have been interested in human beings wherever they were found or whatever they were doing?

In addition, you have to consider that you are dealing with a highly charismatic character; so what would have been the effects on the army that jesus joined?

Then again mightn't he have joined as a combatant? He was presumably fully human so why not?

What would he have done after joining?

 

[Kozmos]

Sure, but as a medic. Best healer ever.

 

[Leoreth]

Sure, but as a medic. Best healer ever.

He can also walk on water so peter grimes' Navy suggestion may have some merit.

 

[del62]

indeed. jesus was very tolerant with all sorts of sinners.


now do you think jesus would have chosen to be a soldier?

well obviously he didn't, that was not his path, but your question isn't really about Jesus, but about his followers.

 

[Leoreth]

well obviously he didn't, that was not his path, but your question isn't really about Jesus, but about his followers.

What does being a follower mean in your opinion?

Especially in the context of the fact that many vocal Christians here have criticized other self-professed Christians because they weren't real Christians because they didn't properly follow Jesus?

 

[Oruc]

Nope!

 

[JollyRoger]

Jesus would be classified as an enemy combatant and still stuck in Gitmo since I don't think he has teh uniform fetish of some military types.

 

[Leoreth]

Which army are you talking about? I hope it isn't the allegorical one?

 

[del62]

What does being a follower mean in your opinion?

Especially in the context of the fact that many vocal Christians here have criticized other self-professed Christians because they weren't real Christians because they didn't properly follow Jesus?

Actually thats quite a difficult question, and a lot of ppl have interpreted it differently over the years.

I guess Jesus said something like love God and love your neighbour as yourself.

 

[Core Imposter]

First of all emulating Jesus isn't being Christian. Being Christian is believing that Jesus is the Christ, died for your sins, repenting of those sins, seeking his forgiveness, and then being sealed by the Holy Ghost.

It is not a philosophy, a discipline nor is it membership in a religion. It is an act of God.

 

[Arakhor]

So, nothing about good works, benevolence or the like? Just say the right words and *boom* you're a Christian. That is easy.

 

[Core Imposter]

On Christmas Day of the year 1241, Eastern Europe teetered on the brink of utter destruction. Batu, son of Ogedai Khan, successor to the Great Khan, Genghis, had destroyed Pest, the largest city in all of Hungary. Poland and Russia had already fallen, and now Batu's unstoppable Mongol war machine was poised to conquer whatever it set its eyes on.

How could an Eastern European Christian not fight?

How and why would Jesus heal the sick and make the blind see if only to stand aside and watch them slaughtered?

 

[MobBoss]

came up in another thread, so: would jesus have joined the army?
if the answer is no, assuming a good christian is someone striving to be christ-like, can a soldier be a good christian?

In the bible, Jesus returns as the leader of Gods army.

 

[Leoreth]

On Christmas Day of the year 1241, Eastern Europe teetered on the brink of utter destruction. Batu, son of Ogedai Khan, successor to the Great Khan, Genghis, had destroyed Pest, the largest city in all of Hungary. Poland and Russia had already fallen, and now Batu's unstoppable Mongol war machine was poised to conquer whatever it set its eyes on.

How could an Eastern European Christian not fight?

How and why would Jesus heal the sick and make the blind see if only to stand aside and watch them slaughtered?

I didn't expect a critique of Christian morality from you.

 

[MobBoss]

indeed. jesus was very tolerant with all sorts of sinners.

now do you think jesus would have chosen to be a soldier?

Tolerant of people. Not of their sin. I think his answer would be much the same as he gave Pontious Pilot regarding his kingdom. Is he a soldier? Yes, but a spiritual one.

 

[Core Imposter]

So, nothing about good works, benevolence or the like? Just say the right words and *boom* you're a Christian. That is easy.

No, it is not easy. But salvation is a gift.

One cannot earn salvation, none is good in the eyes of God. The best works of man is rags to God.

 

[Leoreth]

Tolerant of people. Not of their sin.

Didn't holy king just say that?

I think his answer would be much the same as he gave Pontious Pilot regarding his kingdom. Is he a soldier? Yes, but a spiritual one.

Interesting. I've always interpreted that part of Jesus saying that he is NOT a soldier in the literal sense. I mean, I don't think with "spiritual soldier" he meant fighting people while being spiritual about it.

 

[Core Imposter]

I didn't expect a critique of Christian morality from you.

Actually, I don't know what Jesus might have done in this situation. He didn't come for that purpose. In fact, the Jews were glad to serve Him up to the Romans because they were, and still are, waiting for the Messiah to return as an earthly King.

Personally, I would respect a Christian's refusal to serve as a soldier in such circumstances, but I could not, and feel that it would right for me to serve.

 

[MobBoss]

Didn't holy king just say that?

Not with that emphasis added, no he did not. In fact, the way he parsed his comment it implied he excused their sin as well.

Interesting. I've always interpreted that part of Jesus saying that he is NOT a soldier in the literal sense. I mean, I don't think with "spiritual soldier" he meant fighting people while being spiritual about it.

Revelation 19:11

Christ on a White Horse

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.

The Beast and His Armies Defeated

17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,[h] 18 that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great.”

19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.

Sounds to me like he is coming to kick butt.