Thursday, March 23, 2006

How About Campoloism Instead of Christian

Finally, a Christian peacemaker called into Rush's program and tried to explain his beliefs. He expressed the idea that through non-violent means, peace could be achieved because that is the way Jesus did it. Another Christian Peacemaker said that Muslims are our brothers, so therefore we need to try to make peace with them.

The problem with a lie is that there is always some truth mixed in. It is true that Christians are to use the weapons of warfare given to them by their Savior. Weapons such as prayer and faith and righteousness and truth are the means to victory. The kingdom of God is to advance through nonviolent means. Is that what the caller is talking about?

I suggest these so-called Christians remove the term Christian from the name and call themselves Campoloites. Perhaps Campoloism should have 501 status with the IRS. In this way, confusion and obfuscation could be avoided.

These Campoloites desire to combat evil in the world. The problem is that they see the United States government as being the evil in this world. Terrorists are the way they are because of us evil Americans. The United States Government will achieve peace when there is victory. God uses the Law and the power of governments as a means to maintain peace.

Biblical peace with God however will never be achieved through Campoloism or Government intervention. The idea of calling Muslims "brother" is not a means to true peace. Muslims will never be a Christian's brother. Christians will only reach peace with the Muslim world through the proclamation of the Gospel and the work of the Spirit in the conversion of sinners. With Campolo's view of conversion, I would not hold my breath peace will be achieved anytime soon.

Can anyone imagine Jesus coming to do "sit-ins" for peace? Is Jesus some kind of 60s flower child? I am not saying that non-violent protests have no place, but are we really going to hold a position that says force is never necessary?

These people claim that we can not force moral decisions like abortion upon people because they are religious views, but then they desire to force their religious views upon the state. In other words, they are equating the Kingdom of God with the United States Government. Therefore (they think) the U.S. should act in a fashion that reflects the (liberal) church in welfare and other left-wing programs. Is the U.S. Government the church?

Paul taught that one of the means for governments to maintain peace was by the power of the sword. Jesus claimed that He did not come to bring peace but a sword. Until peace is defined, there will be much confusion among those who think Campoloish.

These Campoloites think Jesus will only bring peace through peaceful means. I wonder what they will think when Jesus returns and by force of war cast out of his Kingdom everything that is sinful? Will they abandon Jesus when they see His so-called violent means for peace?

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