Peace to you,
Because of the question about what Christ said one could or should do as a Christian.
Are you suggesting that somehow these are not acts of warfare? Are they more like the acts of civilians caught up in a war that they did not create and have no part in?
I would not suggest that bearing witness to Christ, or speaking of what one has learned from Him, are acts of warfare. Unless one is forcing another person to accept or defer (or in the case of crusades and other events that forced people to convert). Granted, after a lengthy and/or heated discussion/disagreement, one can certainly feel as though one has been through battle, lol. So I have a sense of what you mean if that is all you mean by it.
I am reminded about a discussion I had (in person) with a dear JW lady (who I have known for many years). At the end of it, she said that she felt like she had just been through battle, and then she tried to take that comment back. But she said what she meant - she just didn't mean to say it aloud. But I understood. Because I had mentioned that I learned something we were speaking about from Christ, and she kept saying that I had learned it on my own (complimenting me with my personal studies, but also undermining that I could have heard and learned from Christ), and I had to keep correcting her 'correction' (no, I learned that from Christ), and that continued throughout the conversation, and I ALSO felt like I had been through a battle, lol.
But I am not that dear woman's enemy. I was not there to hurt her or attempt to injure her. I was there by invitation and out of love (for God, for His Son, for truth, for her and anyone else present).
Is it not the case that if someone is told to spread their religion as 'The Truth' that this act would naturally enough provoke those who hear to ask "why?"
With some, sure. There are all kinds of religions and people out there claiming to have the one true religion or claiming to speak truth, etc. I am not provoked into asking why. I don't wish to do battle with them either, but if they did come to me, I might engage in the hopes of sharing something of Christ, truth, with them.
And is it not also the case that you bring this into a debating situation [battleground] and expect to be battled on account of that?
I expect disagreement and argument (I expect those things from past experience and because Christ said to expect even worse, and I have been on other forums where there is some serious personal attacks and hate), but I am not enemy to any person on this forum. I came here to hopefully be able to expound the truth more accurately, to share as my Lord has taught me, to bear witness to Him and to the truth He teaches.
Obviously that is going to bring opposition, but that is not a reason to remain silent. Perhaps a reason to stop with a particular person, though.
Is it fair for someone to set themselves up this way with others, and when others react defensively, or ask for evidence to support the claim, to counter-claim that the action of defense is really a case of attacking that which 'is only trying to tell others what The Truth is' and claim on top of that, that the acts of defensiveness are acts of persecuting the 'teller of the truth'?
I have never suggested that someone asking for evidence means that they are attacking or persecuting the person making a claim.
Does any of that dynamic ring true with you?
I've seen it happen, but that is not something I think.
Did biblical Jesus ask his followers to TELL people the truth, or to SHOW people the truth?
Christ told us to be His witnesses. That can include telling and showing. But certainly He told us to follow the example He set, which includes TELLING people the truth (assuming we have received such from Him TO tell).
Either way or even both, the point is, if the truth is not seen to be evidential in the witness of Christians, what else can one expect but warfare? It is not like the Christians are retreating.
Can you describe what you think 'retreat' would look like from a Christian?
Like I alluded to - warfare is not just a physical thing. There are all kinds of ways in which to fight, and it appears quite obvious to me that the Earth has been the ground in which such battles have been, and continue to be, fought.
Do you think that what I am saying is The Truth...not as in 'the whole/complete truth' but as something which is verifiable
matter of fact and thus belongs with The Truth?
You see, I think you may not think that you are hereabout to fight, but The Truth is, you are hereabouts to fight.
Can you agree to that?
I certainly can, re why I am here - which is why I changed my avatar to suit.
One might claim that they do not LIKE the idea of having to argue their particular take on 'what is truth' but if one is active in a debating environment, one is participating in the war going on therein.
And to that point, stating one is here for the purpose of peace, is only going to attract poking swords and getting pushed around, so what "weapons" [defensive and attacking] do you use to deal with that?
Does The Christ speak of weapons his followers should carry?
Not Christ (unless you are referring to the account with the sword and Peter, but Peter was rebuked by Christ for using that sword to strike and injure another person). But Paul did speak about armor (when he spoke about the kind of struggle we are involved in):
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Peace again to you.
