Are Christians Terrorists?

Been thinking. Nothing new, really, but was disturbed when I saw the list of who some would consider terrorists in the USA. And Christians made that list. Oooohhhh.

Why should Christians be included on that list? None in recent history have initiated any action that resulted in riots, nor have any been implicated in any sniper shooting that I know of...

But many who call themselves Christians - are viewed as possible terrorists. Is this fear justified?

Likely the most devoted patriots in the USA are Christian folks. They love this land but hate what it has become politically, socially and spiritually. In their idealism they want to work to restore what has been or at least to bring about something totally different then what it has become. Fiery rhetoric has become the norm: the call to action has been issued and you begin by stockpiling weapons and ammo because we will defend ourselves. My right - second amendment says so.

So, is the gov correct in regarding evangelicals as potential terrorists? What do you think?

Does Scripture offer an alternative? How do we live in the world but not be a part of the world? The world is characterized by conflict, strife, evil, perversions of all kinds...How does a body live in the midst of these evils and not be contaminated by it? Does one fight strife with strife? Is there a better way?

I love my country and I lament what it has become. Or what I think it has become...is it possible it has been this way a lloonnngggg time but it was hid from public view - that it was all in the closet a long time? Is God allowing these perversions to become bold to expose to us who the tares are so we can be warned and not allow ourselves to be sucked into their whorl? How does one fight perversions? Political activism has not proven to be successful, so how does one deal with it?

In our confronting evil, are we perceived as being terrorists? Are ungodly folks scared of Christians because we speak the truth or because they really believe we would use guns upon them? or, maybe both? Would you really use guns, really? and send someone to hell (likely) in order to defend yourself? (and may be even fail at that?)

I keep wondering...

Whose fear? Yours or theirs?

Ginnyrose

Thank you for posting this topic. I have been thinking on some of these things as well. I keep thinking that the Word tells me this is not my home, that my home is in HEAVEN with JESUS and we are just pilgrims on a journey to be with our KING passing through this world until we reach our HOME with HIM! Along the way I pray, and love on others as HE gives leading but when and where does HE instruct me to be a part of this world??? How does killing my enemy coincide with "love your enemies."

You asked how does one fight perversions, the only answer I have is in prayer. The real weapons that we have that in the end will make the most difference and matter to HIM is prayer and living every moment in HIM regardless.

I believe that the world hates us when we speak truth to them in love, when our weapons are truth and prayers they hate us. Speak the truth we must in love and pray for them, if they hate us then we were told to expect that, they hated JESUS also.

much here to consider before HIM and pray over.
God bless
mj

Theirs. The gov fears Christians as possible terrorists.

Bear,

I know the answer to my questions..:-) But was putting this question out there to see if people would consider how the secular person may regard 'Christians'.

Actually, I think their fear is justified. And, yes, I suspect that if I refuse to fight that my greatest enemy would likely be militant 'Christians', just like it was back in the early Anabaptist days. If it is other 'Christians' who will go after you it will not be because of issues pertaining to homosexuality but because you refuse to bear arms. When this becomes the case you will be regarded as a traitor. And liked by 'nobody'.

Am I scared? I do not know, but am coming to the realization that the people who I think one can look to for mutual support will not be there, but will turn on you because of your position in refusing to kill. But God will still be there even if people aren't.

ginnyrose

ginnyrose wrote:Actually, I think their fear is justified. And, yes, I suspect that if I refuse to fight that my greatest enemy would likely be militant 'Christians', just like it was back in the early Anabaptist days. If it is other 'Christians' who will go after you it will not be because of issues pertaining to homosexuality but because you refuse to bear arms. When this becomes the case you will be regarded as a traitor. And liked by 'nobody'.

__________________

I have thought this as well.

God bless
mj

Mary Jane, it will be very insightful to see how many others will have considered this as a possibility.

You know, Mary Jane, the challenges that would confront a person who determines to love the enemy will be immense. I think this is something I will seriously have to consider. Not worry, but just face the possibilities knowing full well God will be there to give one insight and strength to do his will. And..his will is that He will mete out justice, my knowledge is flawed, can't do it well, but God can and will.

Thanks for sharing, Mary Jane.

I don't think the point of this thread is gun rights/control. At least I am hoping it is not. So, without making it about that, I do want to say some things.

1) If I were being persecuted because of my testimony for Jesus Christ, I would lay my life down, if necessary, for the glory of Christ. I would offer no resistance, although I may be found to avoid pain by using whatever laws are in place at that time to protect me (as Paul did on multiple occasions). But I would consider it an honor to suffer for the sake of my Lord.

2) I despise anarchy. It is unbiblical as it rejects the authorities that God has placed. A rebellion against government for the sake of getting rid of the government is a de facto rejection of the authority of God as well.

3) The Bible highly exalts mercy. As a Christian, I ought to seek this quality to show in my life. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive merciful.

4) Those who make peace are honored in the scriptures. Blessed are the peace makers. As Christians, we should seek peace with all men, so far as it depends on us.

5) Vengence/revenge is clearly forbidden in the Bible. Absolutely, under no circumstance, is it acceptable. Rage-actions are also unacceptable.

However, these things do not nullify the scriptures about Justice and the defense of the innocent. If a man broke into my neighbors house and was raping her and I knew it but did nothing about it, then I am guilty. If my enemy was suffering unjustly at the hands of my friends and I did nothing, then I am guilty. If a person broke into my house while I was sleeping, I have every right to defend my home and those under my watchful protection. Do I want to kill anyone. Absolutely not. Will I--if it is necessary for the defense of others, then yes.

Also, I do not believe soldiers are condemned anywhere in scripture for being soldiers. They are told not to abuse their powers, but never to lay down the sword.

If I have a brother or sister who refuses to own a gun, will I hate them? No way! If I have a brother or sister who allows the innocent to be destroyed before their very eyes and they do not act, will I hate them. No. But I will rebuke them, as it is not fitting for a Christian to despise the innocent by allowing them to be destroyed when we have the ability to help them--in any circumstance, not just the ones that have to deal with guns.

I am not an extremist, but if we run around saying we really believe what the Bible says, then lets not forget about the grittier stuff.

I think if laying down my life for Christ is necessary, then the Holy Spirit must speak to me and make the timing and method God's timing not mine.

Jesus by the Spirit, none could touch Him until His time had come.

As to being a terrorist, when the end comes, yes we will be terrorist' to the unbelieving world that is hiding in caves because of the wrath of God.

The big question is, is God a terrorist? Now what do we do?

In Christ: Phillip

The issue of 'loving one's country' is a heresy that has existed in the Church for a long time. It is the reiteration of the other common lie of associating the Church with a building and not the people. Both of those lies sit on top of yet a third that beggars them in importance, that of the New Jerusalem. If you can make either of the first claims and justify them to your conscience as though they were real, you demonstrate that your home is not with God where righteousness dwells but on the Earth that is ruled by the Powers of the Air. Are you really a pilgrim? Are you sick of the corruption that is not new under the sun because it is happening in 'your country?' Or are you grieved at it looking for the return of the King?

If you carry any patriotism, nationalism or political ambition, be aware, you are fighting for the wrong kingdom. Our loyalty is to God to listen to and obey His word and not to fear men who can only destroy the body. Christ told us to expect to be treated as He was and they got Him by the charge of 'threatening to destroy the Temple'. They also saw Him as a threat to their political power because people were following Him, a man who did not respect the opinions of men but only did the will of His Father in moment by moment obedience. Lets share in the testimony of our brethren in Acts who rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake.

Blessings on you sister.

Jeremy,

I respectfully disagree with your assessment that patriotism is evil. God made a covenant with Abraham to provide him with a land dedicated to him and his offspring in Genesis 12. It was a land provided by God for a people who would love Him. I, likewise, believe God provided this great land to our forefathers as a nation who would honor Him. Has either nation followed God faithfully from their establishment? We know the answer to that one and we also know that a nation established by God who fails to walk according to His statutes will fall under severe judgment to the extent they will cease to be a nation at all. Regardless, does this retract God’s provision? No, and woe those who failed to not only honor God but the land He provided for them, just read Joel 3.

Great men of God through time were not also greatly in love God but great patriots. One only needs to look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an example. He obviously lived in the midst one of the most tyrannical regimes in human history but regardless of how devastated he was to see Germany fall into the hands of an evil dictator he fought for its freedom until his death.

‘No doubt Bonhoeffer was a great patriot and he loved his country so much that he preferred death to safety. But he was also too astute a political analyst not to see that Germany would be engulfed in the coming catastrophe. The fanatical devilish forces with National Socialism left no alternative. They were aiming at the destruction of Germany as a European and Christian country. By planned political action he hoped to avoid this tragic disaster. As he used to say: it is not only my task to look after the victims of madmen who drives a motorcar in a crowded street, but to do all in my power to stop their driving at all.’

Memoir by G. Leibholz in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 1961 edition, 27-28

Yes, we are sojourners just passing through (1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:8) but let us walk in great gratitude for that in which God has honored us and weep bitterly over her waywardness. It is you and I, brother, who are caretakers of the land, not the politicians in Washington or the economists on Wall Street or Hollywood. And, I believe we will pay a heavy price for not acknowledging our responsibility and fighting with every ounce of strength we have for her revival. 2 Chronicles 7:14 doesn’t end solely with the promise of spiritual healing of a people but the land as well because God knows we can’t live peaceably in this world as a godly people without the land is also blessed. We cannot abstract ourselves as Christians from our surroundings but significantly impact our surroundings. Let’s turn our world upside down for Jesus!

Blessings

Jeremy221,

"The issue of 'loving one's country' is a heresy that has existed in the Church for a long time. It is the reiteration of the other common lie of associating the Church with a building and not the people. Both of those lies sit on top of yet a third that beggars them in importance, that of the New Jerusalem. If you can make either of the first claims and justify them to your conscience as though they were real, you demonstrate that your home is not with God where righteousness dwells but on the Earth that is ruled by the Powers of the Air."

------------

Please show me this in scripture.

I do agree about the building idea, but being political is not condemned in scripture. Paul used his citizenship to his advantage. May I not do the same?

Fred Phelps and his family is an embarrassment to peace-loving folks. I cringe whenever I read that his family in on the warpath again...

I just got done listening to Bro. Edgar Reich sermon "Preparing the Body of Christ for Persecution." Interesting how he touched on some of the issues I shared. I would encourage one and all to take a listen.

Quote: The issue of 'loving one's country' is a heresy that has existed in the Church for a long time.

I disagree with that as I see it as a Anti-Christ teaching.

New Age Agenda: This agenda is nothing less than the complete revolutionizing of the very foundations of not only America but the entire world. Such a plan calls for the total restructuring of planetary civilization into an enlightened One World Federation in which national boundaries and sovereignty are secondary, and 'planetary citizenship' in the 'global village' is the order of the day.

Quote: If you carry any patriotism, nationalism or political ambition, be aware, you are fighting for the wrong kingdom.

That's exactly what we will be told by New World Order, I totally disagree with what you say.

I listened to brother Edgar's message and was challenged by it but I heard nothing that promoted patriotism as evil. God made a covenant with Abraham to provide him with a land dedicated to him and his offspring in Genesis 12. It was a land provided by God for a people who would love Him. I likewise believe God provided this great land to our forefathers as a nation who would honor Him. Has either nation followed God faithfully from their establishment? We know the answer to that one and we also know that a nation established by God who fails to walk according to His statutes will fall under severe judgment to the extent they will cease to be a nation at all. Regardless, does this retract God's provision? No, and woe to those who fail to not only honor God but the land provided them, as we read in Joel 3.

Great men of God through time were not only greatly in love with God but great patriots also. One only needs to look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer as an example. He obviously lived in the midst of one of the most tyrannical regimes in human history but regardless of how devastated he was to see Germany fall into the hands of an evil dictator he fought for its freedom until his death.

"No doubt Bonhoeffer was a great patriot and he loved his country so much that he preferred death to safety. But he was also too astute a political analyst not to see that Germany would be engulfed in the coming catastrophe. The fanatical devilish forces with National Socialism left no alternative. They were aiming at the destruction of Germany as a European and Christian country. By planned political action he hoped to avoid this tragic disaster. As he used to say; it is not only my task to look after the victims of madmen who drives a motorcar in a crowded street, but to do all in my power to stop their driving at all."

Memoir by G. Leibholz in Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 1961 edition, 27-28

Yes, we are sojourners just passing through (1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:8) but let us walk in great gratitude for that which God has honored us with and weep bitterly over her waywardness. It is you and I, dear brothers and sisters, who are caretakers of the land before God, not the politicians in Washington or the economists on Wall Street or Hollywood. And, I believe we will pay a heavy price for not acknowledging our responsibility and fighting with every ounce of strength we have for her revival. 2 Chronicles 7:14 doesn't end solely with the promise of spiritual healing of a people but the land is also blessed. We cannot abstract ourselves as Christians from our surroundings but are called to significantly impact them. As the early church turned their world upside down for Jesus, let us do likewise!

Blessings

For what it is worth, the Phelps gang is little more than a money machine that works like this. Totally without human souls, they look for heart-string situations where they can make inflammatory noise and hopefully draw enough physical response to prompt a lawsuit. They always film their activities closely so that when some biker throws a punch, they can start a legal action. Sometimes these are settled out of court for some big bucks, and they begin their trolling for the next one.

The "Christian" connection just helps fuel their shtick, but they are equal opportunity irritators. They apparently showed up in Prescott AZ a while back to insult the families of the 19 firefighters who were lost in a fire, I was with a group of bikers doing a flag line, the authorities apparently kept them away from us. I was looking forward to a little action...?

Anyway, they are not Christian in any form we would recognize. Best to ignore their antics.