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Category Archives: Index
Pacifism: Police and Defensive War, Part 1
John Howard Yoder argues that Christian pacifism should reject service in the military but not the police. After all, until Jesus returns, it’s obvious that life would be pretty awful for everyone if there were no police. The difference between … Continue reading
Overseeing the Moderate Church, Part 1
[This series from way back in March 2007, when there were maybe, oh, 30 readers, keeps getting attention because a lot of churches wrestle with these problems. I thought it might be helpful to re-run it, and I couldn’t help … Continue reading
Posted in Overseeing the Moderate Church, Uncategorized
Tagged All, church leadership, Church of Christ Links, elders, eldership
29 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: Why Christians Suffer
The lesson begins in Cappadocia, in Turkey — a high, flat plateau that was very inaccessible due to having natural barriers all around. There were only small villages with tribal chiefs, and it was never really under Roman control. The … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, martyr, Ray Vander Laan
1 Comment
Pacifism: A Reply to Guy
Even though he and I disagree on several things, I have to say that Guy has posted very thoughtful, very godly comments throughout these posts. I prepared a lengthy reply to a recent comment of his, and decided it would … Continue reading
Pacifism: Fitting Government into the Story
We next approach the question from within the framework of the story (or narrative) of the Bible. In Genesis 3, man and creation were cursed because of sin. This curse brought forth pain in childbirth, strife in marriage, weeds in … Continue reading
Pacifism: A Thought Experiment
Reflect back on the first few posts where we learned that Lipscomb and Yoder point out that the Bible says governments will be placed under Jesus’ feet, arguing that in a sense all governments — good and bad — are … Continue reading
Pacifism: A Culture of Life, Part 2
Of course, merely having love as a motivation does not make things right. We need to act with an informed, intelligent love that is shaped and constrained by the gospel. The gospel tells us that it’s good to risk life … Continue reading
Pacifism: A Culture of Life, Part 1
It’s become common for Christians to speak of the importance of a “culture of life,” a phrase popularized by Pope John Paul II and dealt with extensively in his Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life). John Paul II argues against abortion … Continue reading
Posted in Pacifism, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Culture of life, Evangelium Vitae, pacifism
22 Comments
Pacifism: John Howard Yoder, Part 2
Christian subordination Yoder criticizes the positivistic view of government — that whatever government is in power is in power due to God’s will and therefore the government’s will is God’s will. The obvious counter-example is Hitler, and the argument against … Continue reading
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: An Unlikely Disciple
RVL shows the group a stone sheepfold. Shepherds would sleep in the opening so the sheep would have climb over him to leave and wolves would have to go through him to attack the sheep. Jesus said, (John 10:7-10) Therefore … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Ray Vander Laan
Comments Off on Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: An Unlikely Disciple
