How would you respond to an emailed statement like this?
- I feel as though you flaunt righteousness and faith as something you have more than others.
It seems to me as though you equate politics with faith, and American
hawks simply can’t be true followers of Christ. It seems to me as though
you sometimes take a “Holier than Thou” attitude.
It’s a small piece of the full email and I won’t embarrass the person by giving their name. They are entitled to their feelings.
What struck me as interesting was the assumption I believe that….American hawks simply can’t be true followers of Christ.
Are there people that genuinely believe that?
I emailed a political writer in the US I respect and and asked several questions about this writers assumptions and definitions.
It was a genuinely facinating and fruitful exhange on politics and religion (and hockey!) and I thank him.
I haven’t responded to the writer of the email. There really isn’t much point, is there?
Interesting, it’d be good to hear their thoughts on that statement.
Personally, I find labels such as “hawk” and “dove” more divisive than enlightening.
You blog with confidence- that’s your style. You encourage the rest of us- that’s way cool!
Well, speaking as a Christian anti-war guy…
I think “hawks” can easily be true Christians. I mean, to say they can’t be is to say that about 95% of the church is going to Hell.
However, since part of the reason I am anti-war is that I believe this war was Biblically wrong, I’d go so far as to say that those who are pro-war do not have a theologically correct view of government and war.
well, i wouldn’t respond to that either…
I believe you are incredibly even-handed, Bene. I have never sensed the “holier than thou” attitude your reader suggests.
As for discerning the will of God (for example, is God for or against the war) I think that is an extremely tricky thing to do. I believe we all feel that God is on our side. We can’t all be right. Or can we?
“However, since part of the reason I am anti-war is that I believe this war was Biblically wrong, I’d go so far as to say that those who are pro-war do not have a theologically correct view of government and war.”
Pieter, I’m sure some “hawks” would go so far to say that your anti-war views are Biblically wrong, as well. Each side has claimed that they adhere to Scripture when defending their stances – not a good thing, especially when the Scripture used is taken out of context.
And perhaps the writer of the e-mail would take care to remember that we are not to judge one another, lest we be judged.
Those are really good questions Mark.
Thanks Laura, sometimes not nearly as much as I could be. :^)
Turn it around Pieter. Do ‘hawks’ think ‘doves’ are believers?
Rhesa, God has been dealing with me about judging character. Your words are very timely for me on a personal level as I learn.
Rachel, it was a terrific email discussion.
I’ll think about your idea.
Hi Steve, I have sort of ‘responded’ with this post, eh?
I want to really thank all of you for not putting the writer of that email down.
Rhesa, actually, from my understanding of the “judge not” verse,” what it means is that we are not to condemn what others do IF we are actively living in sin. So, for instance, it would be wrong for a pastor to “judge” somebody for murder if that pastor was addicted to p*rn. The verse pretty obviously can’t mean that we’re never to say that someone’s Scriptural interpretation is wrong, or that they’re doing something they shouldn’t…if it did, then evangelism would be awfully hard to deal with, because a main part of evangelism is getting people to understand that if they don’t stop doing what they’re doing, and get saved, they’re going to Hell.
But to move beyond that…
Right. I know several people who have attempted to convince me, using Scripture, that this war is biblically just.
Only…obviously one of us is right and one of us is wrong. We can’t just throw up our hands and “agree to disagree” because we’re both using Scripture to back our claims. I mean…I’m right. I know that. I just have to convince other people of it. It’s hard, when they’re using Scripture, too. Anyways, I’m rambling, and I’m not quite sure what my point is. But…since Scripture does talk about government, and what gov. can and cannot do…well…hmm. Yeah. I’m not sure what my point is. But I can’t stop using Scripture to back my claims, because the same Scripture that I believe says this war is wrong is the Scripture that I draw my entire view of government from…Give that up, and I might just as well be a Christian communist.
Bene, incidentally enough, I’m learning a thing or two about being judgmental and judging myself!
Actually, Pieter, I was in no way refering to your comments when I pointed out the judging bit. Your comments about that verse sound solid to me. What the writer of the email said did sound judgmental to me, however – (“American hawks simply can’t be true followers of Christ”) – and yes, this person is entitled to his/her opinion, but that’s a pretty low blow to pull, especially on another believer. The anti-American sentiment isn’t subtle there.
And yes, I also agree that no one can stop you from using Scripture to back your position on the war. I’m just saying that those on the other side feel as strongly about their own stand on the issue and will do the same thing to justify their words. Nothing wrong with that at all, so long as both sides have a clear understanding of the Scripture being used.
I really, really recommend reading this section of the Apologetics Index at Gospelnet.com on what biblical judging is.
http://www.gospelcom.net/apologeticsindex/ministry.html#charar
It deals with the difference between judgement and censorious spirits. It deals with the difference between right judgement and judgement of character.
And Pieter, some of these articles address the verse and the type of discussion you refer to.
Rhesa was referring to my post, not you.:^)
There is some great stuff here.
….The first is in understanding the various words used in the Bible to describe judgment, judging, etc. A quick look through a concordance, especially one that cross-references to Greek and Hebrew words, will show that in fact many of these words mean ”appraise,” ”discern,” ”evaluate,” and ”discriminate.”
….The second part of the solution is to correctly understand what kind of judgment Christians are supposed to render. The answer to this is in comparison with the judgments of God.