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We can say all we want but we only know one thing, they really had nothing to fight back with and there are no actual accounts, only stories.
Yes there are martyrs in the NT but these are not the norm. There were many killed by the Romans but do we know if they even had the means to fight back?
Being as Christ was to the Church, Christ sacrificed himself for us as I will for my wife and family. That is my duty.
Did Christ grab a sword and call up an army. No he gave himself to die. That was the early Proto Orthodox Christian ideal. Taking up a cross.
I am not saying this is what you should do. Only that this was the beliefs of the early Christians.
I am not arguing against what you have said and Martyrdom was the norm for the leaders at first but not the followers. It did evolve into a Christian hunt at a point and to say they walked out and got killed is the short story. They refused to deny their faith and were sentenced. Why cry of fight when the end is inevitable.
I am an Agnostic that follows the teachings of the Bible and perhaps one day I will put God in a box like most of them do and become a full fledged Christian.
Sorry, I just thought you are. Due to your title. Avid Bible scripturalist
I am not calling for all to be pacifists. I just think Todays Christians seem to want to forget that side of their history.
The NT doesn't teach that self defense is wrong. Here are some passages and verses which address the Christian's right to protect themselves and others, and/or to serve in the military (which by necessity means carrying a weapon which may be used):
Luke 22:35-39 And He said to them, "When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?" So they said, "Nothing." 36 Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 37 "For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end." 38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough." 39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.
Matthew 8
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 Lord, he said, my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.
7 Jesus said to him, I will go and heal him.
8 The centurion replied, Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, Go, and he goes; and that one, Come, and he comes. I say to my servant, Do this, and he does it.
10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Acts 10
Cornelius Calls for Peter
1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, Cornelius!
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. What is it, Lord? he asked.
The angel answered, Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea. 7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
None of the soldiers, centurions, etc in the New Testament (and there are quite a few mentioned) were instructed to resign from military service. And the New Testament is full of imagery and language related to military service and soldiering.
Resignation was not an option.
A soldier (of that time) could not resign from military service, 25 years seems to be the standard enlistment, once 'in' they were, for all intents and purposes, 'in' until death, old age, ill-health or injury debarred them from further service.
 
Soldiers came to John the Baptist (Luke 3.14) and 'demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?
And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse (any) falsely; and be content with your wages.'
The translation is from the KJV but the sense of it doesn't appear to alter from version to version.
Luke 3:14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely; and be content with your wages."
It is the second part of a couplet that links Publicans (tax collectors) with Soldiers, ie those in service to the political authority. And is centred on the idea that those in positions of authority over the people should not use the advantages of their position for personal gain or persecution.
I suppose a soldier, or any public official, conforming to these precepts could be 'righteous' within the ambit of the NT.
This sick puppy lined them up and shot them one by one. Perhaps I can find some proof. For the life of me, I don't understand why they stood there and did nothing?
Here it is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/16/us/16cnd-shooting.html
Regardless one armed person that knew how to use a gun could have ended it fast.
Sorry, I just thought you are. Due to your title. Avid Bible scripturalist
I am not calling for all to be pacifists. I just think Todays Christians seem to want to forget that side of their history.
Really?
Ignore the debatable part about gun control statistics, and focus on Rep. Trent Frank's second comment and the witness to the Arizona shooting incident.
Yes really and also it was a different incident I commented on in that post.
Yes one CC person could have ended it quickly but the responsible thing to do was done in this situation. We were not there but I doubt getting off a clean shot would have been easy.
Rhetoric. Ignore the commentary and focus on the facts. He was responsible and he was not there when the shooting was going on and if he had been then he would have shot at the shooter not the guy holding the gun.
Sorry that = fail.
Can you provide me with a scenario when you've used a gun while avoid a violent act?
Did you miss the part where Rachel specifically mentioned that the armed citizen was ready to shoot an innocent person? Or did you cut the video clip short (or skip it entirely) because Maddow is a librul, big guv'mint soshalist?
Interesting. I haven't been able to find any translation OTHER than the KJV which says anything along the lines of "Do no violence." Wonder why that is? I've looked at all the major translations and they simply don't address "violence."