The Consequence of Truth?

Pastor Tom shows a great concern for the defense of our nation and very little concern for the Bible in today's blog.

He obviously puts higher stock in the Hebrew Bible's theocratic directives that allow an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, than in Jesus' command to turn the other cheek. I won't get into a long discussion of Biblical truths and whether they apply to individuals and not nations for two reasons: first, it is long and messy, and second, I refuse to accept that what is immoral for me as an individual can conveniently become moral when done as a group of individuals.

Congressman Tancredo is simply pandering to fears and counting on nationalistic chauvinism to win him some votes. He goes so far as to say that it isn't the job of the president to make sure that every child has health care. This sort of swaggering bravado, if allowed to lead this nation, will be like painting a target on ourselves. Warmongering begs warfare.

Jesus taught us a different way. Does that mean that our way of life might end? Absolutely! Is that a bad thing? Only if you consider dying to self and the sinful ways of the flesh bad. Even in the bloody warfare of the time of ancient Israel, there were the voices of the prophets. Look at what the messages are in the books at the end of the Old Testament. During the time that Israel had a strong nation, God's message to them again and again was not to conquer or even to protect themselves (that was God's job). Their job was justice, taking care of the weak, poor and disenfranchised among them, whether Hebrew or foreigner. Don't believe me? Just crack open your Bible and read pretty much anything after Song of Solomon before Matthew.

Blog you later,
Pastor Ian

BTW I have to say that talking about nuclear attacks and retaliatory strikes on the 62nd anniversary of the day OUR nation dropped the first atomic weapon (on civilians, no less) is rather sickening.