Charles Spurgeon on Christians and War

Spurgeon had long been in the grave during the air raids on the UK by Germany----he didn't notice a thing---never heard the Hienkle's or the Fe-110's or the bombs whistlin' down----never heard the "whine" of any V-1 "Flying Bomb" or the dreaded silence of the V-2 missile---the first of its kind of intercontinental ballistic missiles

He didn't notice a thing when those Luftwaffe bombs crashed through the roof of Metropolitan Tabernacle and detonated--destroying everything except the front foyer

He would have cursed Hitler like all other Brits did---and with his last breath make the exclaimation as Churchill did----we will never, never, never surrender!!!

 

I always smile when I hear the opponents of war as I remember that modern wars were essentially fought to preserve the freedom thay have to oppose all wars.

Sorry I risked my life in Korea for such freedoms. I survived four years of bombing in East London during the 2nd World War. We lost three homes in 7 months. We virtually survived living in the tube. Our leader tried negotiating with Hitler to promises of peace. History relates the results. The veterans motto has been, "Never again". We didn't like war, but we would go again for the sake of the freedom to say as we pleased and live a free life.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I have a real problem with anyone, Sprugeon, or anyone else who never served in the armed forces, or was in combat, commenting about the merits or lack thereof of war. There are many on this board who do so. I usually do not comment, but most here who make comments one way or the other about freedom, liberty, our involvement in foreign nations, or some other action involving putting the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines in harms way, have no idea what the price is. The closest they ever got to serving this nation is waving a flag and singing the National Anthem at a baseball game. While others are out risking their lives, they are either sitting in a college dorm, working in a plush office, or whatever, but the point is, they are removed from having to pay a price, they only flap their jaws about it.

Jim, that is quite a record you have, and I admire what you went through very much. I have nothing but respect for your generation. I do think of my time, Vietnam, as different from WW2, as WW2 was necessary for the survival of both of our countries. The point is, those who have not paid the price should be grateful for those that did pay a price. I do not think all those lives should have been lost in Vietnam, (another thread) but the people returning from the war deserved the utmost respect of the American people. The soldiers were only doing their job. They did or did not decide war policy. That mistake rests squarely on people like Lyndon Johnson.

Another point, is why do we care what dead theologeans said. Everyone worries about what Calvin said. Who cares? We have the same Holy Spirit that they had.

 

Well the evidence is in and it is clear that you should inform yourself before speaking anymore on this issue lest you continue to look so foolish.

 

What is your concept of what the Bible teaches about war, and have you ever been in one?

 

Jim, four years ago my wife and I spent a week in London visiting with her "English mum," whom she had lived with 20 years earlier. Each night, she invited a neighbor in to educate us. She told us about living through the blitz. A neighbor told us about growing in Germany during the rise of Hitler.

What if England had done nothing to defend itself, in the name opposing war of any kind?
What if America had done nothing about the German submarines who were torpedoing its merchant ships in the Atlantic?
What if America had done nothing but wring its hands after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

If someone attacks your wife, will you defend her, or will you do nothing because you're opposed to violence?

I'm grateful to you for your service, and to my brother saturneptune for his service; and to another young man in my church who is serving in Afghanistan.

Incidentally, I do not know a single member of the armed services who love war or want to go to war. But they will.

 

Maybe wars continue because humans have consistently ignored the Bible and trusted in horses and chariots.

 

I am crying as I read this thread

and thank each of you who have served and are serving in our military. I come from long line of those who have served, even though I have not served myself, and nearly all of my uncles as well as my dad served in WW2. My brother served in the US Army in peace time. I know people who are serving now, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters. Some are in theater now. Some are in special ops. I thank each and every soldier and veteran for their service, even though I cannot begin to imagine such bravery, such sacrifice.

Agreed. Well said. The price is high. The sacrifice is great. And some are living every day as casualties of war, even if no visible battle scars, the psychological damage, the nightmares, the memories are still there. I lost relatives who died at a very early age because of the toll that WW2 took on them. I cry every time I see footage of our troops freeing those souls from Nazi death camps. I am in awe of those who are serving today, not knowing if the next step they take will be an IED to blow off an arm or leg or blind them or blow them to bits. I am in awe of the bravery of those who go on a special ops mission like getting bin Laden.

""It is the soldier, not the reporter, Who has given us freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, Who has given us freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the organizer, Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier, Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, And whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protestor to burn the flag." - Father Dennis Edward O'Brian, USMC

War is necessary because there is evil in the world. Jesus came the first time in peace. The next time, He will be riding a white horse leading an army of His saints.

 

Who are the political leaders advocating war who have also fought in a combat zone or have children who have fought in a combat zone? I can only think of one.

Personally, I don't know any person who has fought in a combat zone who enlisted since the draft was dropped. None of the new wars have effected me or my family or friends and I still oppose them for the sake of the misguided volunteers.