I was sad to read something purporting to be a call to Christians to do what God *really* wants them to do, ending by holding up, as an example to us Christians, someone who fantasized about “if only we would have fought back, and repaid evil with evil! What if only we had set out to kill our oppressors? We could have made them fear for their lives! If only we had loved our physical liberty enough!”
Is this truly what we as Christians are called to?
Is it a matter of what I’d rather? Is it not instead a matter of what Scripture calls us as Christians to do?
I was also saddened to note that as the article became more and more specific about what we as Christians should do, the Scripture references became more and more sparse. I didn’t see a single reference to New Testament teaching on this issue. I wonder, for example, if you could give one example of the apostle Paul (who we know interacted with governors, kings, and probably Caesar himself) engaging in this definition of “Christian counterpunching”, rather than (as we are told that he did) simply preaching the Gospel.
Have we learned something Paul and the other apostles didn’t know?
First, we are biblical Christians, not NT Christians. Paul's invocation of his Roman citizenship *while incarcerated* is a prime example of counterpunching. He did not patiently take it on the chin. Jesus commanded his disciples to carry swords. Capitulation to rather than counterpunching evil is a non-Christian response, closer to Buddhism.
I agree that we are biblical Christians. So it is important for us to not pick certain passages or verses out of context, and then extrapolate in order to make an argument that contradicts other clear Scriptural teaching.
Paul's example was entirely nonviolent and was limited to asserting his own rights as a Roman citizen. Paul allowed himself to be unjustly bound and incarcerated in the first place; he did not summon a Christian mob to storm the Roman garrison and free him from those who were about to scourge him, but instead calmly asked whether they could scourge a Roman citizen who was uncondemned. He also preached the Gospel. He did little to overthrow or even reform the evil and pagan Roman government--in fact, he did zero toward that goal, if we are to believe the Bible.
As to "not patiently [taking] it on the chin", Peter explicitly tells his readers: "But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." Jesus Himself, Peter tells us, "when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). It may not sound very much like we "love freedom enough" if we follow this example, but we can never say that it is not Biblical.
Yes, Jesus commanded His followers to buy swords. Then when it came to the moment for "fighting back", Jesus commanded His follower to put the sword in its sheath and said that "all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). With all due respect, I think this is a perfect counterexample for your argument, not an example of it.
Paul reassured the Thessalonian Christians that they suffered persecution from their countrymen just as the Judean Christians did from theirs (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16), but omitted any condemnation of their lack of "counterpunching". Similarly, the writer to the Hebrews says that his readers "joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods"--because they knew they would shortly vote out their oppressors, or ambush them on their way to work? No--"knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven."
In the ultimate counterexample of your recommendation of "Christian counterpunching", the Lord Jesus Christ Himself allowed sinners to put Him to death on a cross. You assert categorically that "capitulation to rather than counterpunching evil is a non-Christian response", but how far do you wish to take that? Jesus is Himself the *definition* of a Christian example. Buddhism has nothing to do with Him.
May the Lord continue to bless you Dr.Sandlin, your lectures, blogposts, books, etc. Have been nothing short of a tremendous blessing. I’ve shared this article with several friends and family members, the need for restoring a proper scriptural-cultural theology is absolutely essential in regards to the discipling of the nations. I would like to request a hard copy of the Christian Culture magazine, however, I do not have a Facebook to send you a private message. I hope this works. Blessings!
Dr. Sandlin, I hope you're well. Your latest article "Gospel or Salvation" was magnificent, shared it with many friends and family. I sent you my snail mail address several weeks ago. Did you receive it? Thank you for all you do!
Benjamin, thank you so much again for your kind words. I am so sorry if I missed your last communication. Could you email me again your snail mail address?
I was sad to read something purporting to be a call to Christians to do what God *really* wants them to do, ending by holding up, as an example to us Christians, someone who fantasized about “if only we would have fought back, and repaid evil with evil! What if only we had set out to kill our oppressors? We could have made them fear for their lives! If only we had loved our physical liberty enough!”
Is this truly what we as Christians are called to?
So, you'd rather Christian passivity that ensured millions of Soviet murders?
Is it a matter of what I’d rather? Is it not instead a matter of what Scripture calls us as Christians to do?
I was also saddened to note that as the article became more and more specific about what we as Christians should do, the Scripture references became more and more sparse. I didn’t see a single reference to New Testament teaching on this issue. I wonder, for example, if you could give one example of the apostle Paul (who we know interacted with governors, kings, and probably Caesar himself) engaging in this definition of “Christian counterpunching”, rather than (as we are told that he did) simply preaching the Gospel.
Have we learned something Paul and the other apostles didn’t know?
First, we are biblical Christians, not NT Christians. Paul's invocation of his Roman citizenship *while incarcerated* is a prime example of counterpunching. He did not patiently take it on the chin. Jesus commanded his disciples to carry swords. Capitulation to rather than counterpunching evil is a non-Christian response, closer to Buddhism.
I agree that we are biblical Christians. So it is important for us to not pick certain passages or verses out of context, and then extrapolate in order to make an argument that contradicts other clear Scriptural teaching.
Paul's example was entirely nonviolent and was limited to asserting his own rights as a Roman citizen. Paul allowed himself to be unjustly bound and incarcerated in the first place; he did not summon a Christian mob to storm the Roman garrison and free him from those who were about to scourge him, but instead calmly asked whether they could scourge a Roman citizen who was uncondemned. He also preached the Gospel. He did little to overthrow or even reform the evil and pagan Roman government--in fact, he did zero toward that goal, if we are to believe the Bible.
As to "not patiently [taking] it on the chin", Peter explicitly tells his readers: "But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." Jesus Himself, Peter tells us, "when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). It may not sound very much like we "love freedom enough" if we follow this example, but we can never say that it is not Biblical.
Yes, Jesus commanded His followers to buy swords. Then when it came to the moment for "fighting back", Jesus commanded His follower to put the sword in its sheath and said that "all who take the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). With all due respect, I think this is a perfect counterexample for your argument, not an example of it.
Paul reassured the Thessalonian Christians that they suffered persecution from their countrymen just as the Judean Christians did from theirs (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16), but omitted any condemnation of their lack of "counterpunching". Similarly, the writer to the Hebrews says that his readers "joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods"--because they knew they would shortly vote out their oppressors, or ambush them on their way to work? No--"knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven."
In the ultimate counterexample of your recommendation of "Christian counterpunching", the Lord Jesus Christ Himself allowed sinners to put Him to death on a cross. You assert categorically that "capitulation to rather than counterpunching evil is a non-Christian response", but how far do you wish to take that? Jesus is Himself the *definition* of a Christian example. Buddhism has nothing to do with Him.
Would you characterize the COVID-19 measures in California as persecution against Christians?
I would prefer to frame it as: some of the measures are an assault on religious liberty.
Great, timely, and NECESSARY information. We need to share this far and wide within our Christian community.
May the Lord continue to bless you Dr.Sandlin, your lectures, blogposts, books, etc. Have been nothing short of a tremendous blessing. I’ve shared this article with several friends and family members, the need for restoring a proper scriptural-cultural theology is absolutely essential in regards to the discipling of the nations. I would like to request a hard copy of the Christian Culture magazine, however, I do not have a Facebook to send you a private message. I hope this works. Blessings!
Pro Rege,
Benjamin Sherrill
Thank you so much. Could you send me your snail mail address to: sandlin[at]saber[dot]net?
Dr. Sandlin, I hope you're well. Your latest article "Gospel or Salvation" was magnificent, shared it with many friends and family. I sent you my snail mail address several weeks ago. Did you receive it? Thank you for all you do!
Benjamin, thank you so much again for your kind words. I am so sorry if I missed your last communication. Could you email me again your snail mail address?
Just did! Blessings