Beth-El Baptist Church

03/182007

Greg Tomlinson

Open Question Session

This is an open question session in which there was no prepared question.

1. In what light do the scriptures cast war? Is it a good or bad idea?

(Based on use of Matthew 5:38-39 to denounce war on a radio station)

Matthew 5:1-12; 5:38-39

John 1:12-13

Matthew

James 4:1-2

Joshua 4:13-18; 5:13-16

Psalm 68:5

Isaiah 9:17; 10:1-2

Romans 12:18

Numbers 14:6-10, 38-45

1 Kings 16:33; 20:13-14

Basically the issue is that the true battle belongs to God and that there will always be war on earth. God has an interest in seeing the widows and orphans protected. Thus it is important to ensure that the helpless and defenseless are protected and defended. In the Old Testament, the only real condition for going into battle was when God himself calls the people to battle. In today’s world, that is much more difficult since God speaks to us by his spirit and through his word. Even when God does call others into battle it is for his purpose and as such it is imperative that men be on the side of God. Never are we to hope or desire that God be on our side, but that we are on God’s side. In the context of Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus is referring to being and individual recipient of an insult and it is not to be viewed as involving a nation or a people group.

2. What does it mean that God is a “consuming fire”?

Deuteronomy 4:23-28; 9:1-4

Hebrews 12:24-29; 13:1

When God lays claim to being a consuming fire, he is indicating that he is the Holy and righteous judge who judges everyone correctly. This being the case, all of man needs to be protected from God’s judgment and consuming fire in order to survive. The only way to be protected is to be under the protection of Jesus Christ.