"Kill for God?" is my anti-war drawing, a message to my Christian brother's and sisters who feel that any war done in the name of God is just and is blessed by God. But I feel this is wrong since this is completely opposite of what Jesus would have done.
Other wars have been done in God's name such as what Constantine did and during the Crusades, where people were forced to become Christians or they die. It hurts our reputation and that we as Christians have to tell everyone these kinds of wars do not represent us.
To understand more of how I feel, read "The Myth Of A Christian Nation" by Gregory A. Boyd. You can buy it used off Amazon for a penny in hardcover.
If you disagree with me, I'll respect that, but please try to understand my point of view.
Comments
In dealing with the beatitudes you can't isolate it. That sermon when applied has to be in the right context. They don't answer every question. If they did then the scriptures could've ended there. Also, Jesus was very confrontational to the right people. Don't forget he did crack a whip to the people in the temple, whip first and ask questions later. Jesus wasn't a pushover. His actions are what got him crucified. Wisdom is the only thing that can help when it comes to war or any other dilema because every situation is different and requires a different response. There is no one answer. But this causes us to seek God's face for direction so at the end of the day it's all good. Everything when it comes to war is so heavily intertwined it's impossible to have one right answer. Jesus said in the last days there will be wars and rumors of wars so what the heck are we supposed to do but reach out if possible, pray, use it as an opportunity to witness. Pray for our leaders who have to make the tough decisions. And pray that God will intervene and do what ever needs to be done.
I do not think the Bible is anti-war. War often was not only condoned, but commanded, by God in the ANE period. Anyway, I think maybe a Bible study on the Beautitudes would be beneficial for you. The matter of peace making is not confined to cannons, fighter jets, and swords - if Jesus was even thinking of such things at all.
The matter is far more immediate. These Deviantart members denied your work - how are you going to respond? Falwell, in your opinion, interpreted the Bible wrong - how are you going to respond? There are children of wrath at enmity and at war with God - what are we to do? We constantly notice how the church errs, and how our brothers are wrong, and wrong about the most unimportant minutia imaginable - and what are we to do? And is anything else in the Beautitudes important to our understanding of peacemaking, or is this verse fine to read in isolation? What of this meekness and His encouraging the soul who mourns? Is there a central theme here David, and if so, what? What is the Sermon on the Mount about, or is it a fragmented set of ideas coalesced together in a string of incoherence? What does peacemaking have to do with anything else? Who will answer me!
I can't say I'm anti-war completely, since God gave governments authority to deliver justice. Some wars in history have been wrong, but I think no one can be 100% anti-war. Well, I know some Christians who are complete pacifists, but I don't agree with that. I doubt anyone would just sit back and let someone thay love be assaulted.
I also have a hard time judging those in authority who make hard decisions that may cost people's lives to save other people. I've realized we don't know as much as we think we do with the ins and outs of managing a country and dealing with other countries.
Plus evil is evil. And God is justice too. And at times even we Christians may have to defend against evil. I say this because after being in law enforcement for some time and seeing what evil man can do influenced by Satan or the flesh, I've learn to appreciate that justice and force is here and God promotes it.
"Peacemakers" is exactly that -they MAKE peace and sometimes that peace must be made by force and action. Just my little tidbit. I'm not trying to offend anyone or the art, just trying to share another perspective.
Thanks Chris. I was careful about choosing the right font to use and what would seem appropriate. And I have wondered if in the 2nd panel, to have the insides of the cross explosions white, but they would be digitally done, and would look out of place.
I feel a little bad though, that I tried to get this work displayed on a couple of Christian art groups on DeviantArt, but was not accepted. I wonder if the title or the message was too offensive or political for the leaders of those groups.
Chasing terrorist is good, but it has to be in the right context, if we are killing terrorist in the name of the Lord then we are doing the same thing that they are. Just under a different God. We are no different from them if we go according to Jerry Falwell's comment. Jesus said Father forgive them for they know not what they do, that needs to be the same mentality for us when it comes to terrorist. Do we take the offensive yes, but are methods can't be dictated by revenge. Which is what that statement sounds like. Be angry,yes, anger is a good motivator for change, but be angry and sin not. A really good movie that had me thinking all year was "Unthinkable." That movie covers that topic perfectly. PERFECTLY. Best movie I've seen in years. Awesome movie. Samuel L Jackson killed that roll. And the girl that played Trinity in the matrix is in it too.
Truth be told, we have to be careful how we go about our view points because it can be a never ending battle. Because technically Americans were once terrorist before this country was discovered by us, when the indians were here chilling minding their own business. Blacks were chilling minding their own business. So everybody is guilty. We are terrorist in the eyes of babies who never got their chance to live. Plus, God sees all sin the same. So everybody is guilty. Jesus was like, this person got caught in the open and was punished and everyone seen it, but just be glad your business wasn't put out there. When it comes to war and anything else wrong when it comes to this world and me... being quick to go and get someone to punish. I first look at my wrongs before I start telling other people about themselves, or saying what a person deserves. If I examine myself more then I will think properly when it comes to another person who wrongs me. I can go on and on about this.
@david
From a historical POV the crusades were a "holy war" per definition. But what the believer and bible scholar must ask were the miliary operations ordained and sanctioned by God to be carried out by the Church (note Big C for body of baptized believers)? I think not, they were sanction and ordained by the church (notice little c a religious organization of people) of the time. God has and does charge the Church to go into battle, riksing personal harm, danger, and even death. But the church chooses to pick its battles as any government does, to further its political gain, strengthen its financial position, and justify is social view. I side with the Church (i also side and support Isreal!).
When I open the lid on my heart, I find my inner ten-year old inside is screaming for vengence; sounds kind of like Jerry Falwell, or some of the imprecatory psalms in the Bible. The insatiable thirst for Justice/Revenge(they're so easily confused in the heat of anger, yah?) provides a lot of the energy that Heroic comics tap into.
I am morbidly facinated by some of the darker side in Christian political history and current events; I wonder not so much at Religous actions and misdeeds as I do at God's apparent non-reaction. Thank you Jesus for the "parable of the Wheat and Tares," and the concept of delayed judgement, but I'm still way more offended by the soiling of my Lord's holy name with innocent blood...than the Lord appears to be. The daily acts of beautiful Christian charity(and charity displayed by believers of other faiths) is so much quieter...and the more heroic in its humility than revenge fantasies pandered to by extremists of all stripes.
Personally, I find 9/11 is a good time for reflection...and a good time for starving my religous egotism and revenge fantasies by focusing on my quietly merciful Savior, and being a little louder about His interests.
Happy 9/11 David.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next