joining the army

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Aug 16, 2016
2,184
62
0
#41
While I respect those who serve the army & those who put their lives on the line to defend the country I don't think it's something christians "should" do. What christians should do is spread the gospel to the lost & joining the army isn't required for that. Plus there are too many pointless wars started by the government who doesn't care about the lives of those who serve. For a long time now they have mistreated veterans after they put their lives on the line.
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#42
[video=youtube;dPvIAyJIXsQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPvIAyJIXsQ[/video]
 
Apr 30, 2016
5,162
75
0
#43
While I respect those who serve the army & those who put their lives on the line to defend the country I don't think it's something christians "should" do. What christians should do is spread the gospel to the lost & joining the army isn't required for that. Plus there are too many pointless wars started by the government who doesn't care about the lives of those who serve. For a long time now they have mistreated veterans after they put their lives on the line.
Well said.
 

Sac49

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2016
582
30
0
#44
It's good to hear our military does good things.
I would be disappointed if it did not.
But here's the statement I made that brought this thread back to life.

"As a Christian, I don't think we should join the army.
It's not a group of Christians serving God.
It's a group of young men and women who follow orders and kill whoever they are told to kill."

You were off this topic and chose to ignore it.
I believe everyone in the military takes their orders from their leaders, and Jesus Christ is not one of those leaders.
The military is of the world and should consist of the world.
Even a Chaplain does what he is told or he will be relieved of his job.

The military is a worldly organization and should be run by worldly people.
AS Christians, we serve a different leader, Jesus Christ, and we belong to a different country, the Kingdom of God.
If we don't believe it, then we last knowledge of our faith.
If we don't live it, then we are weak in our faith.

But don't mix up serving your country and God bless America with being a Christian.
They are not one and the same.
Then take this one step further. How about into the work place. Most, not all, companies are run by non Christians. Christians who work for these companies will also have to do as they are told or be replaced. Now obviously they most likely wouldnt be told to kill someone but there would still be some questionable things told to do. Should all Christians only work for other Christians? It is up to the individual person to choose where they are to work. A Christian, no matter where they work, could have a huge impact upon others. King David stepped up in faith in God and killed another man. In faith a believer of God "joined" the military and killed.
 

Sac49

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2016
582
30
0
#45
Allen, I hate to say this but it really sounds like you are saying...."you cant be a Christian if....". There are other so called "Christian"groups who say this and they are ones you dont want to be "in alignment" with.
 

AllenW

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2016
1,450
70
48
#46
Then take this one step further. How about into the work place. Most, not all, companies are run by non Christians. Christians who work for these companies will also have to do as they are told or be replaced. Now obviously they most likely wouldnt be told to kill someone but there would still be some questionable things told to do. Should all Christians only work for other Christians? It is up to the individual person to choose where they are to work. A Christian, no matter where they work, could have a huge impact upon others. King David stepped up in faith in God and killed another man. In faith a believer of God "joined" the military and killed.
You sound very confused here.
Talking about the workplace is not taking it one step further, it's derailing the thread completely.
Holding a gun in your hand and being ready to shoot someone or die is not the same as competing for a better position in an office with a co-worker.
And what makes you think working for a Christian in the work force is better than working for someone not saved?
I've worked for 3 nasty Christians in my day, and the best boss I ever had was a conservative Jew.
I would say Christianity is a burden for some people in the work place.
And talking about what King David did with the military in comparison with what Christians should do is an extra-biblical statement.
Study your Old Testament and understand it.
Then you can move on to the New Testament.

And finally, I don't see how anything I've said thus far could make sense to you since nothing you've said makes sense to me.
Got it?
We're from different planets!
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#48
I believe that you have mentioned once that your from Galaxy X and are currently residing in the Milky Way.
Hey no one resides in my galaxy but me. lol
 
B

BeyondET

Guest
#49
Besides it takes a special siding to attach those stars.
 

AllenW

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2016
1,450
70
48
#50
I believe that you have mentioned once that your from Galaxy X and are currently residing in the Milky Way.
Well that's good.
You have a partial memory.
That puts you in the upper echelon of this forum.
Actually, I made that comment of someone else who I know personally upon my visits to Galaxy X.
You see, I'm a Time Lord.
 
Dec 12, 2013
46,515
20,401
113
#51
I can see that we are not going to agree on this but I must correct you on one thing.
The dual citizenship of Paul was being a Hebrew and a Roman.
The kingdom of God was not an issue of his dual citizenship.
He stopped being responsible for killing people as a Pharisee and he never joined a Roman legion.
He fought for the kingdom of God.
When he mention being a soldier for Christ, he said "what soldier gets involved with civilian affairs?
I guess that eliminates politics among other things.
And the mention of us being ambassadors for Christ?
Are you an ambassador for Christ?
Because an ambassador never gets involved with the politics of the country he is visiting.
Are you a citizen of the Kingdom of God?
Or are you a citizen of the world?
Or is the Kingdom of God just a metaphor or something?
That's alright....I gave you evidences (biblically) of God raising and using earthly militaries to work his will...so choose to be wrong....the problem with people today.....no one will admit error and embrace the truth because of pride......

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

“Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,556
17,025
113
69
Tennessee
#52
Then take this one step further. How about into the work place. Most, not all, companies are run by non Christians. Christians who work for these companies will also have to do as they are told or be replaced. Now obviously they most likely wouldnt be told to kill someone but there would still be some questionable things told to do. Should all Christians only work for other Christians? It is up to the individual person to choose where they are to work. A Christian, no matter where they work, could have a huge impact upon others. King David stepped up in faith in God and killed another man. In faith a believer of God "joined" the military and killed.
Someone may have a Christian boss but most likely work for a secular corporation. You either get with the program or find another job.

King David was a warrior and was foremost a military man. I don't believe that a soldier in the bible was ever admonished but only told to be content with their wages.

Having served in the US Army in the 101st Airborne Division I can honestly say that the military is the only government institution that I respect. If this country did not have a military German would be our primary language, or may Mandarin or Russian.

The primary purpose of the military is to break things and kill people that intend to do our country harm. The US military is comprised of 100% volunteers serving under great sacrifice and hardship and with honor and distinction and deserve our utmost respect.

I fully concur with your estimation.
 

AllenW

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2016
1,450
70
48
#53
Someone may have a Christian boss but most likely work for a secular corporation. You either get with the program or find another job.

King David was a warrior and was foremost a military man. I don't believe that a soldier in the bible was ever admonished but only told to be content with their wages.

Having served in the US Army in the 101st Airborne Division I can honestly say that the military is the only government institution that I respect. If this country did not have a military German would be our primary language, or may Mandarin or Russian.

The primary purpose of the military is to break things and kill people that intend to do our country harm. The US military is comprised of 100% volunteers serving under great sacrifice and hardship and with honor and distinction and deserve our utmost respect.

I fully concur with your estimation.
Are you an Old Testament Christian?
I didn't see any mention of the New Testament military here.
 

Sac49

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2016
582
30
0
#54
You sound very confused here.
Talking about the workplace is not taking it one step further, it's derailing the thread completely.
Holding a gun in your hand and being ready to shoot someone or die is not the same as competing for a better position in an office with a co-worker.
And what makes you think working for a Christian in the work force is better than working for someone not saved?
I've worked for 3 nasty Christians in my day, and the best boss I ever had was a conservative Jew.
I would say Christianity is a burden for some people in the work place.
And talking about what King David did with the military in comparison with what Christians should do is an extra-biblical statement.
Study your Old Testament and understand it.
Then you can move on to the New Testament.

And finally, I don't see how anything I've said thus far could make sense to you since nothing you've said makes sense to me.
Got it?
We're from different planets!
Seriously? Ok i have read some of your posts after you made this one. Galaxy x? Time Lord? No need to respond or explain my post to you. It will go in your head and get lost apparently.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,556
17,025
113
69
Tennessee
#55
Are you an Old Testament Christian?
I didn't see any mention of the New Testament military here.
I am hoping that I am both but I will have to ponder that. Some of the events in the OT seem quite harsh and brutal but it is still the Word of God. As for the NT military, that will be a good topic to pursue with study.

These verses comes to mind:
Luke 22:36
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one

Luke 22:38
The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That's enough!" he replied.

Just based on that my initial assessment is that Jesus is telling his disciples to be prepared to do battle and to trust in Him and not strictly rely on their weapons but on His guidance.

These two passages by themselves are by no means conclusive evidence of condoning military campaigns but quite possibly hold some meaning regarding military conflict.
 

AllenW

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2016
1,450
70
48
#56
Seriously? Ok i have read some of your posts after you made this one. Galaxy x? Time Lord? No need to respond or explain my post to you. It will go in your head and get lost apparently.
Apparently what has been lost was the topic.
Instead of addressing the military and Christianity, we started talking about Christians in the work place.
You apparently lost the topic and I apparently got irritated by it.

The only military point you could add was something about King David and his military which never works when discussing the New Testament.

Then your ally chose to throw in a remark I made to another individual and that was an inside joke not meant to be used as fuel to increase an argument.
And you chose to go right along with him.
My jokes at that point were pointed at the idiocy of the two of you for lacking the understanding of what we were suppose to be talking about, which was the military and Christianity.

Now all this may be too much for you to understand , but I tried.
 

AllenW

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2016
1,450
70
48
#57
I am hoping that I am both but I will have to ponder that. Some of the events in the OT seem quite harsh and brutal but it is still the Word of God. As for the NT military, that will be a good topic to pursue with study.

These verses comes to mind:
Luke 22:36
He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one

Luke 22:38
The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That's enough!" he replied.

Just based on that my initial assessment is that Jesus is telling his disciples to be prepared to do battle and to trust in Him and not strictly rely on their weapons but on His guidance.

These two passages by themselves are by no means conclusive evidence of condoning military campaigns but quite possibly hold some meaning regarding military conflict.
No need to answer that here.
Start a new thread and we'll discuss it.
Right now I have something else to say to you.
 

AllenW

Senior Member
Apr 20, 2016
1,450
70
48
#58
Someone may have a Christian boss but most likely work for a secular corporation. You either get with the program or find another job.

King David was a warrior and was foremost a military man. I don't believe that a soldier in the bible was ever admonished but only told to be content with their wages.

Having served in the US Army in the 101st Airborne Division I can honestly say that the military is the only government institution that I respect. If this country did not have a military German would be our primary language, or may Mandarin or Russian.

The primary purpose of the military is to break things and kill people that intend to do our country harm. The US military is comprised of 100% volunteers serving under great sacrifice and hardship and with honor and distinction and deserve our utmost respect.

I fully concur with your estimation.
Your answer here is promoting the U.S. military.
Disregarding your first two sentences as being irrelevant, I think your opinion is pro nationalism.
I guess there's nothing wrong with that as long as it's put in it's proper place.
But Christianity should come first in a Christians life.
Jesus should be first.
People should be spending their time promoting Jesus and not nationalism of the United States.
Our nationalism should be the Kingdom of God.
I believe most Christians do not know this and do not understand this.
I myself feel a need to discuss it with others so that I can understand it better and then live it better.
I believe as Christians, we are all called to serve our God by promoting the Kingdom of God.
I don't understand how a Christian can so adamently promote anything else, especially something that interferes with our relationship with Jesus.
 
Apr 30, 2016
5,162
75
0
#60
Someone may have a Christian boss but most likely work for a secular corporation. You either get with the program or find another job.

King David was a warrior and was foremost a military man. I don't believe that a soldier in the bible was ever admonished but only told to be content with their wages.

Having served in the US Army in the 101st Airborne Division I can honestly say that the military is the only government institution that I respect. If this country did not have a military German would be our primary language, or may Mandarin or Russian.

The primary purpose of the military is to break things and kill people that intend to do our country harm. The US military is comprised of 100% volunteers serving under great sacrifice and hardship and with honor and distinction and deserve our utmost respect.

I fully concur with your estimation.
I agree with your assessment of what the military is for,
but it's also used for other reasons, to help other countries, for instance.
And I never can understand the reasons. Why did we go into Afghanistan,
and not Nigeria where Chrisitians are being horribly killed?