Unfortunately, I think the Bible provides plenty of examples of God telling his people to go to war - including total genocidal annihilation. Without a hermeneutic that can account for an unfolding revelation across thousands of years of history, it's easy for a modern Christian to feel like Joshua on the borders of a heathen land kneeling before the messenger of Yahweh whose drawn sword threatens to conquer all enemies with violence. In fact, the bloody apocalyptic imagery in the book of revelation also seems to fit nicely with a bomb-dropping Jesus.
If not through violent conquest, how else does the reign of God get inaugurated? (I speak facetiously - full aware of how much Jesus as Messiah defied these militaristic expectations).
However, as long as biblical readers remain ignorant of genre, form, style, and rhetorical purpose (not to mention original languages), it will be easy to argue from a proof text for many kinds of injustice and violence. Epistemology is key here - and thanks for challenging Augustine's theory!
Unfortunately, I think the Bible provides plenty of examples of God telling his people to go to war - including total genocidal annihilation. Without a hermeneutic that can account for an unfolding revelation across thousands of years of history, it's easy for a modern Christian to feel like Joshua on the borders of a heathen land kneeling before the messenger of Yahweh whose drawn sword threatens to conquer all enemies with violence. In fact, the bloody apocalyptic imagery in the book of revelation also seems to fit nicely with a bomb-dropping Jesus.
If not through violent conquest, how else does the reign of God get inaugurated? (I speak facetiously - full aware of how much Jesus as Messiah defied these militaristic expectations).
However, as long as biblical readers remain ignorant of genre, form, style, and rhetorical purpose (not to mention original languages), it will be easy to argue from a proof text for many kinds of injustice and violence. Epistemology is key here - and thanks for challenging Augustine's theory!
Great feedback. Completely agree!
It is a gift to be able to communicate like this. Amen, brother. Thank you for preaching the real Gospel.
I know Constantine is a popular bete noire, but the 12th Canon of the Council of Nicea, which he chaired, banned active-duty soldiers from Communion and advocated expelling any member who returned to the army "like a dog to his vomit." https://jamesdittes.substack.com/p/nicea-part-3-christianity-at-a-turning?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=7jhoq
Preach it bro, so true