Frank L. Hoffman Interviewed: Peacemaking - Answer by Frank L. Hoffman - 19 Feb 2003 - Comments and Discussions - Questions and Answers: Archive of all-creatures.org and Veg-Christian,vegetarian, vegan, cruelty free, God, Jesus, Christ, Holy Spirit, Bible, extra Biblical, love, compassion, heart

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Frank L. Hoffman Interviewed: Peacemaking
Answer by Frank L. Hoffman - 19 Feb 2003

Dear Colin and Others:

I don't think we can address the Iraqi situation as an isolated case. There is evil everywhere, our country included.

Violence is not the answer to countering violence. Violence only creates more violence.

Terrorism and hatred are qualities of fear. Perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). This is why I believe Jesus taught us to love our enemies in Matt 5:43-44.

43 "You have heard that it was said, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.'

44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

NASU

Jesus also taught us in Matt 5:9

9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

NASU

To go to war against Iraq violates these principles, and George W. Bush, as a professing Christian, should understand this and put it into practice.

Paul teaches us that we're not to just sit back and do nothing. Note what we are told in Eph 6:10-18

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;

16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

NASU

Upon careful reading of this passage, we see that it is totally non-violent. We can also see that our back is left unprotected. Thus, we are to stand firm, back to back, protecting each other from the enemy.

Our homeland security is one way of protecting ourselves, providing we don't do violence to civil rights. We also are to do so in a loving manner, which means we're to eliminate the present scare tactics.

We should be pressing harder through diplomatic means. As an example France and Germany are against a war, and rightly so; thus, we should be pressuring them to greater efforts on the diplomatic front.

This is a starting point.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank

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