Also, Paul was the Roman citizen present — so his actions lent even more public approval to the situation than would have been presented had he been merely a Jewish man.

Finally, many of the arguments on this string have been parsed in terms of "what's the loving response to something that is happening to me?" when many of the actual issues are about "what's the loving response when my enemy is kicking the stuffing out of a weaker third party?"

Sitting on my couch wringing my hands or watching football just doesn't seem like the loving response to genocide in Rwanda.

There are laws that are obviously just, laws that are obviously unjust, and whole lot in between. I think the church should be cautious in its critiques, as we look divided when some in the church support a law and others oppose it — both in the name of Jesus.

The Jim Crow laws of last century were uncertainly unjust and should have been condemned by the church — and it's shameful that nearly all Christian churches stood by silently — or even supported — such laws.

Today, laws that favor the rich at the expense of the poor should be condemned. Alabama actually imposes higher property taxes on the poor than on many of the most wealthy among us. That's wrong.

And sometimes the church should speak out against the motivations behind certain arguments. For example, there's much to be said on all sides of the illegal immigration debate, but any argument that's based on the premise that we need only consider what's good for Americans is un-Christian to the core.

And so, at the least, the church can help direct the discussion of such issues toward legitimate considerations and away from arguments built on racism, oppression of the poor, and such.

"weapons would fall to the ground" — another beautiful line that struck my eye with a tear.

i agree forgiveness is as much for my benefit as for the offender's. i believe it's first and foremost for the benefit of the kingdom though.

Regarding your last question, i haven't forgotten you asked basically the same thing on my blog. i'll try and post something relatively soon.

Blessings,

–Guy

My answer: The solution is for the church to stop worrying about changing laws, and start practicing and providing the justice ourselves. Offer tutoring programs to the community and make benevolence-ministries a bigger part of daily work. Aim for the congregation's community not to be dependent upon whether laws or just or not.

–Guy

I agree, but what laws are just and what laws are unjust?

Examples:
(1) Giving government funds to the poor is just because it feeds, clothes, and houses them. Or is it unjust because it creates a legacy of dependency on others that lasts for generations? Sincere Christians can point to examples on both sides of the question.

(2) Government not giving education vouchers and providing school choice. It is just as it concentrates on supporting the public schools. It is unjust as it prevents the poor from sending their children to better schools. Sincere Christians can point to examples on both sides of the question.

So, how do Christians decide which laws are just and which laws are unjust?

On praying for your enemies, I have two comments and one question.

First, my sister faced much the same as you with an unfaithful spouse. Being that this happened to my younger sister, I felt a great since of big brother protection well up in me. To be honest some of my first thoughts were anything but Christ like; I really wanted to put my "talents" to use. But then I realized he was a man that was in great need of prayer, so after time I began to pray for him. One of the hardest things to do was pray for an un-believer that had brought so much pain and suffering to my own flesh and blood. But just as you experienced it brought release and reliefe. Praying for our enemies, I believe, was meant for our benefit just as much as it was for our enemies.

On the other side of that same coin. I was brought up to pray for my enemies yet failed to practice it for real until I was deployed to Iraq. I began early on to pray for those that wished to do me harm, specifically those that would be shooting at me. I would like to say that I prayed for them every day, but the best I can do is that I prayed for them at least before each mission I went on. My team's mission was not to engage the enemy, but to provide security, our orders were to fire only once fired upon. In my prayers, I would pray that hearts would be softened, eyes would be opened and weapons would fall to the ground. I was honest and sincere each time I prayed this, and it was always before praying for my own safety. Yet, for the life of me, I can not remember a single day over there that I was not shot at in some shape, form or fashion.

My question is this – what do we do when those prayers are not answered?

Steve Valentine

If you must know, yes I am well versed in multiple firearms marksmanship, but will not boast. I do not take the talets (some may dissagree with this qualifying statement) or the resposibility that comes with them lightly. With a clear conscience I bear these abilities heavy.

Steve Valentine

Thank you,
Steve Valentine

I think it is fair to say that when one of us remarks in a way that could be taken as an attempt to win an argument . . . and they seem just down right mean for a moment . . .that one should assume that the language used is a reflection of that person's strong feelings.

Just point the truth out . . . there is no need to step on someone's face if you think you have them on the ground.

First do you know my heart? Do you know those who are close to me that are in such circumstances making such decisions. I would kindly ask you not to be so quick to judge my heart and my intentions. No I am not commenting as a need to win an argument, I don't think this is an argument all will agree 100% on, but to express what I believe as everyone else here is doing.

Second I read what Paul said and it does not say he stoned them which was a way people were put to death, but that he imprisoned and beat them, many people were whipped but not killed.