QuietlyListening wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:40 pm
Valerie, just because someone doesn't watch TV and does not watch the stations you do, this does not mean someone is uninformed. You can read many many things about what is happening in the government and anything happening in the world and not watch TV. I expect that many on here are very informed- they may not watch or listen to the same people you do, but they are informed.
"If you dont watch the news, your uninformed. If you do watch the news you are misinformed."
-Denzel Washington
Yes, let’s agree with a Hollywood movie star guide us into what is true.
If Denzel Washington’s point is taken, then there’s no reason for anybody to these discussions & topics. Regarding news & what we “believe” to be true we are all a product of whichever source we deem to give the most honest information. We do have a topic on credible news sources.
Quietly listening I’m just saying there seems to be a lack of some information which seems evident by many posts. You share that you’re informed- the station I watch the most has lots of reports by heads of departments, live footage, press conferences & many interviews that are helpful- I’m not trying to convince anyone to make this a priority at all- but it truly is very helpful if it matters-
I would think on a Mennonite discussion forum it should matter very little, I certainly didn’t join this forum seeking information on politics or current events & was initially very surprised at the amount of i treating it HERE.
I trust that we all find it important to pray for discernment.
Praying for discernment is essential because I have been wrong many times, but I also have some experience with the waves of the Spirit of war the sweep through this nation from time to time.
I remember feeling slightly sickened by the euphoria of the embedded press coverage of the first Gulf war and the excitement of "precision bombing". I remember getting getting negative comments at work in 2003 because I wouldn't say "I support the troops". I remember the feeling of hollow regret hearing P. Obama convince the American people to support his surge in Afghanistan and defend his drone war there. I remember the feeling of being alone in supporting P. Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Most these positions felt lonely because support was pervasive in the media and very common among outspoken Christians. Your suggestions that my position of not supporting any wars is due to my ignorance or failure to consume your preferred media sounds very familiar. I've heard it before.
Scripture supports Christ coming back and obliterating His enemies. But it may not look like "war" in the sense that we associate it with. In Revelations it shows Him returning with a "sword"...but I think it's indicative of something that the "sword" is from His mouth. Not wielded in His hand slashing down the enemy in the same sense we would use a sword to fight and kill fellow humans.
joshuabgood wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 8:25 am
War is never the answer or appropriate response. There are always better ways.
Tell that to God the Father, He seems to have (& will) show otherwise.
Because of the hardness of our hearts ... but from the beginning it was not so.
It is the reality until the new Heaven and new earth-
Exodus 13:
15 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
2 The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Nomad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 4:13 pm
Scripture supports Christ coming back and obliterating His enemies. But it may not look like "war" in the sense that we associate it with. In Revelations it shows Him returning with a "sword"...but I think it's indicative of something that the "sword" is from His mouth. Not wielded in His hand slashing down the enemy in the same sense we would use a sword to fight and kill fellow humans.
No, it just says that Jesus will administer judgment, and those who are his enemies and whom he finds guilty will be condemned to eternal hellfire.
Many will wish they could be obliterated on that day.
Nomad wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 4:13 pm
Scripture supports Christ coming back and obliterating His enemies. But it may not look like "war" in the sense that we associate it with. In Revelations it shows Him returning with a "sword"...but I think it's indicative of something that the "sword" is from His mouth. Not wielded in His hand slashing down the enemy in the same sense we would use a sword to fight and kill fellow humans.
No, it just says that Jesus will administer judgment, and those who are his enemies and whom he finds guilty will be condemned to eternal hellfire.
Many will wish they could be obliterated on that day.
joshuabgood wrote: ↑Thu Oct 01, 2026 8:25 am
War is never the answer or appropriate response. There are always better ways.
I don’t think that’s right. Your statement is more Gandhi than it is Jesus. I don’t support war, and I echo Barnhart’s sentiments but the statement that “there’s always a better way” is making a serious category error. It betrays a pacifism that is more in-line with Mennonite Action than it is with Anabaptism.