Good Christian Soldier

[retrorich]

In the context of the following song lyrics, would it be hard to be a good Christian soldier? Is there a serious conflict between serving in the military and being a good Christian--especially if it becomes necessary to kill people?

Good Christian Soldier
by Kris Kristofferson

Not so long ago in Oklahoma the son of an Okie preacher knelt to pray
He said Lord I wanna be a Christian soldier just like you
And fight to build a new and better day
Now many years and miles from Oklahoma
That same young Okie boy still kneels to pray
But he don't pray to be no Christian soldier anymore
He just prays to make it through another day
Cause it's hard to be a Christian soldier when you tote a gun
And it hurts to have to watch a grown man cry
But we're playin' cards writin' home havin' lots of fun
Telling jokes and learning how to die

Now the things I've come to know seem so confusin'
It's gettin' hard to tell what's wrong from right
I can't separate the winners from the losers anymore
And I'm thinking of just giving up the fight
Cause it's hard to be a Christian soldier when you tote a gun
And it hurts to have to watch a grown man cry
But we're playin' cards writin' home ain't we havin' fun
Turning on and learning how to die

 

[CaptainXeroid]

One important thing to remember is that one of the most often quoted mistranlations in the Bible is the Commandment 'Thou shalt not kill.' The correct translation is 'Thou shalt not commit murder.', and yes, it is an important distinction because killing is taking a life and not necessarily a sin, while murder is killing without provocation and is a sin.


Most Christians would resolve a dispute without violence, but the point of this exercise is that, IMHO, killing in defense of your life or others is permissable.:162: So, to answer your questions:

Yes, it would be hard to be a good Christian soldier, and some people may have a serious conflict. While you presume the people you might be ordered to kill are trying to kill you or some innocent souls, you may never know for sure.

 

[michel]

One important thing to remember is that one of the most often quoted mistranlations in the Bible is the Commandment 'Thou shalt not kill.' The correct translation is 'Thou shalt not commit murder.', and yes, it is an important distinction because killing is taking a life and not necessarily a sin, while murder is killing without provocation and is a sin.


Most Christians would resolve a dispute without violence, but the point of this exercise is that, IMHO, killing in defense of your life or others is permissable.:162: So, to answer your questions:

Yes, it would be hard to be a good Christian soldier, and some people may have a serious conflict. While you presume the people you might be ordered to kill are trying to kill you or some innocent souls, you may never know for sure.

I always envisage a Christian Soldier as being a soldier against evil.........

 

[retrorich]

I always envisage a Christian Soldier as being a soldier against evil.........

True. But in these song lyrics the "Christian Soldier" is a soldier who just happens to be a Christian.

 

[michel]

True. But in these song lyrics the "Christian Soldier" is a soldier who just happens to be a Christian.

Fair enough; I was thinking of 'Onward Christian soldiers'. As far as I am concerned, the killing of another individual is a sin, whatever the circumstances.

Now, there are times when not to kill someone would be a worse crime than letting him live.

 

[maggie2]

Fair enough; I was thinking of 'Onward Christian soldiers'. As far as I am concerned, the killing of another individual is a sin, whatever the circumstances.

Now, there are times when not to kill someone would be a worse crime than letting him live.

Wow, according to your theory then, Michel, you can't win. You might be committing a sin if you kill someone but then again you might be committing a worse sin if you don't? Am I reading your post correctly? Is that really what you said? Or am I misinterpreting your post?

If I'm reading it correctly, I wonder what kind of God would create such a situation for a human being...they can't murder but they might be a bigger sinner if they don't murder. Doesn't sound like a very loving God to me.

 

[jeffrey]

Well said, michel. I know myself, I would have problems, especially if I disagreed with the war. Romans, chapter 13 states for us to obey authority, or government. Tough choice. Glad I'm WAY past the age to be called to duty. But the kids....

 

[jeffrey]

If I'm reading it correctly, I wonder what kind of God would create such a situation for a human being...they can't murder but they might be a bigger sinner if they don't murder. Doesn't sound like a very loving God to me.

God did not create this situation, man did..... Give credit where credit is do.

 

[Valjean]

I see "Christian soldier" as an oxymoron. Christians, presumably, follow the teachings of the Prince of Peace. The military, being dedicated to the diametric opposite of Christ's teachings in almost every case must, therefore, be in alliance with the Devil.

 

[pdoel]

I think that God loves each and every one of us. Regardless of our faults. I think all our lives are important to Him. I think he's pained by each and every one of our deaths. I don't care what the reason is, I think killing is wrong.

While I understand why someone is put to death, I can't say that I'm ok with it. I think it's wrong. If taking someone's life if wrong, how is taking that person's life right? Likewise, I don't see killing due to war as being ok.

I think if you are home asleep and someone breaks into your house and plans on killing you, or if you are walking down the street and someone jumps you and is going to kill you, then, at that point, it's your life or theirs. Either way, a life is going to end. So, that's about the only time I can see where killing would be permissible. Still not really ok, but you don't have a choice.

But in war, you do have a choice. Well, I guess if your country is attacked, that's different.

Ugh. Ok. This is a tough subject. But, I think there's always something that can be worked out.