The Purpose of the Church

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/The-Purpose-of-the-Church.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 3:14-16   I.         Have you paused to consider why the church exists?             A.        It appears to me that many of the problems faced by congregations stem from a lack of understanding the purpose of the church             B.        I looked at material from various denominations.                         1.         One, after getting a…

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Why Do Wars Exist?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Why-Do-Wars-Exist.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Isaiah 59:1-18   I.         In my youth, the Vietnam War was being fought. It was an unpopular war that generated a lot of protest songs.             A.        One song called “War” by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong exclaimed, “War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing!”             B.        So can wars and acts of…

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Can violence and wars end?

Question: We usually hear of killings, fighting, and wars, each and every day these days. All of us would love it if these would end. The question is: Can these acts of violence and wars end? Answer: “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage…

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Holy War

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Holy-War.mp3 by Ralph Walker How could a just God order His people to slaughter whole nations, including women and children? Preaching the Bloody Bible

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What if a government gives false reasons for going to war?

Question: I am wondering what the Bible says concerning going to war for unjustified reasons? What if a country deceives its people and claims reasons for going to war, but there is evidence that does not justify war? How do Christians and Christians in the military handle this type of situation? Answer: A government’s authority,…

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Why did God have some people killed if murder is wrong?

Question: in Judges, some people were risen up by God to bring Israel out of the hands of other nations.  But why do so many of them murder other people? Ehud stabs a king and Jael drives a post through Sisera’s head.  I thought God wasn’t allowed to lead people into murdering other people? Answer:…

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How is war different from acts of retaliation?

Question: I read “Is there any biblical support for war?”  but I don’t understand how it fits with Matthew 5:38-42 and Luke 6:27-31. Answer: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you…

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How could the Revolutionary War be justified in light of Romans 13?

Question: Can I ask your thoughts on something? Just a little while ago I read: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights,…

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Religion and War

by Doy Moyer “If religion is so great, why are religions responsible for so much war?” First, this type of statement assumes that all religions are essentially the same. They aren’t. Some religions actively teach peace. Biblical Christianity (not the perverted forms) is one of them. Second, this assumes that everyone claiming a religion is…

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The Armor of God

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ArmorOfGod.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:10-18 Rome was the mighty governing power in the days the New Testament was written. Its strength was in its military, which constantly was on guard Josephus, a Jewish historian, observed that Roman soldiers always carried their weapons with them, even in times of peace. “Every soldier is…

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Will Christians go to heaven after killing other Christians?

Question: My wife and I had a discussion about Christians who participate in a war against another country that may have Christians in their army. The question is, will Christians go to heaven after killing other Christians? My wife asked me this many years ago, and I still don’t have an answer for her. Answer:…

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Did the world governments do wrong attacking Afganistan?

Question: Following Jesus’ word and the fifth commandment, shouldn’t our duty be against any war? “You have heard that it was said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the…

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Why did God allow slavery or commit genocide?

Question: Why did God allow the Israelites to commit actions which are clearly wrong, by His command, such as allowing daughters to be sold into slavery (Exodus 21:7) or committing genocide upon the peoples of Canaan (Joshua)? If the Bible is infallible, is this the kind of moral code that God wants us to apply…

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Is it right for a soldier to kill in war?

Question: Shortly after my fiance and I get married I will deploy to Iraq for the first time. I, being an infantry soldier, am trained to kill. It has always been a major concern of mine to kill in war, and I wonder if this is a sin recognized by God. I figured since and…

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Is there any biblical support for war?

Question: Is there any biblical support for any country or human being to be in all-out war or conflict? Answer: Actually there are hundreds of passages that support the concept of war.  War is one of those topics that pacifists have to work hard to try to get it out of the Scripture.  To keep…

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Neutrality in War

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2004/10/Neutrality-in-War.mp3 Download Audio by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Obadiah 10-15   I.         The book of Obadiah is directed to the nation of Edom.             A.        Edomites were related to Israelites through Abraham.             B.        While never fond of each other, they usually managed to live peacefully next to each other.             C.        When Israel fell, Edom did not make any overt move…

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