Confessing my faults here... I am a fan of the Bourne Trilogy of movies. If you don't know, they are stories about a government assassin. I had a question for you: Could a Christian ever be right with God and have that profession? You know, those black ops guys that the government denies they exist, etc.
Well... why not? I mean, if an infantry person's task is to kill the enemy in front of him, because he is being obedient to the government (who has been given the "sword" to execute good for God's sake - Romans 13), that is excused as being ok. Now, when the same task is done in secret, but for the same goals, does that make it wrong?
hmm.... just a thought.
8 comments:
Oh good we're playing Christian Scrupples...
this is easy of course not...I mean..well...um... er..well if you..no... wait oh yeah ...um no...you... oh man this is hard.
Pass
depends on if you think the governement who has been given the "sword" to execute good for God's sake - Romans 13 does good for God's sake or not?...
Matt, when Paul wrote that, Nero was the 'powers that be.' He didn't do much for God's sake, yet God ordained him there.
If you want to make the case that war is intrisically wrong and Christians should not be involved in it - that's another topic. But if you allow that war is potentially acceptable then so would an assassin... right?
sure, i have two brothers serving in the military, you think i'm going to say it's wrong? ;)
Nero was just misunderstood, the media back then gave him a bad name...
If the united states would just shoot everyone giving them problems i think it would solve all our problems. Israel is doing it...
ps i love those movies.
I know there are some that will argue the whole Romans 13 scripture but honestly taking one section of Scripture about submitting to authorities and turning it into license to kill is beyond comprehension. Additionally, what about all the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matt 5:44; Luke 6:27, 35, and more) and the apostle Paul (Romans 12:9 - 21; Hebrews 12:14, and more) regarding these things. Are they to be thrown away by one scripture about authority? Seriously consider Jesus pulling up that sniper rifle and doing whatever happens in these movies. Doesn't Romans 1 come into play where God is going to judge those that do these things but also those that take pleasure in them (Romans 1:32)? Additionally it is really hard for me to imagine loving my enemies while looking down the barrel of a gun at them.
Please don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the powers that are ordained of God. They are the executors of judgment but there is a kingdom that has been declared where the children of God have first and utmost obedience and that is the Kingdom of God. It is there where our loyalty lies. Yes, we are to submit to the powers that are ordained but not when it comes in contradiction with the Word of God. Consider the book of Daniel in this regard. We would have had men bowing to false gods, praying to kings, and dishonoring the true God had they submitted as is implied by the suggestions that many make in regard to Romans 13. Thankfully many have not. Read Martyrs Mirror, or Foxes Book of Martyrs.
If you or anyone else is interested I will send you a book that you should read entitled "The Kingdom That Turned the World Upside Down". If for no other reason you should read it just to consider what I have so briefly stated.
Hey, David, thanks for the comment... I did mention in one of my comments that to argue that war is wrong is debatable, and the topic of another discussion. The question I was raising in this post is that if war can be acceptable, then so would a government assassin.
If you want to take the stance that a Christian should never join the military or be involved in such conflict, that is an option for you to take, and maybe we can discuss it as well. But, if war's ok, then so is the hidden spy/assassin... make sense?
(I will be responding to your email shortly! Thanks, brother. Andy)
Yes, that does make sense and your thought process is a blessing and should bring challenge. I was hoping to encourage that thought further. Not always effectual in communication. Pray that the Lord would increase this in me.
Thank you!
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