(Someone who thinks like I do, but if he can’t answer a question on the subject: I can.
Michael James Stone mrnetbizness@gmail.com)
The 'Love Your Enemies' FAQ
OK, I admit it. Some of these questions are not frequently asked by anyone, except me. But I think it's the best way to explain the reasons behind this web site...
Why a 'Love Your Enemies' website?
But didn't Jesus say 'Love Your Neighbour'?
What do you mean by 'Love'?
Isn't Evangelism More Important?
Why is Social Justice Important?
Why do you take a pacifist stand?
Why a 'Love Your Enemies' website?
Because I believe that 'Love Your Enemies' is the most neglected of the commands Jesus of Christ. Yet it is also one of the most important, and the foundation for much of the rest of true Christian living.
Specifically, I am distressed and saddened that too many Christians follow the way of the world, which might be summarised, 'Love your friends but hate your enemies'.
In places of ethnic and religious conflict often (but happily not always) Christians automatically take sides with their social or religious group, and join in battles with other people.
In places where there is no direct fighting (such as most of the Western world), it seems normal to treat the rest of the world as second class citizens; and to accept that it is normal for much of the world to live in continuous poverty and violence. This web site exists to call Christians to not accept this.
But didn't Jesus say 'Love Your Neighbour'?
'Love Your Neighbour' was an existing Jewish teaching, and is found in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18). Jesus taught that this command applied not only to our literal neighbours, but to all people, including our enemies.
For more detail, see the article, But didn't Jesus say 'Love Your Neighbour'?
So to Jesus, 'Love Your Neighbour' meant 'Love Your Enemies'. I prefer to focus on 'Love Your Enemies', because it is more unexpected and stark, and reminds us to love even when it seems to be undeserved.
'Love' is a distorted word these days. To many people, 'Love' refers to erotic or romantic love between two people.
That is not the meaning of Biblical love. In the Bible, love refers to a compassionate, selfless caring for other people. It is a love which manifests itself in actions, not merely feelings of attraction.
This is the type of love which God shows to people, and which Christians are called to show to all people.
Isn't Evangelism More Important?
Many Christians will quote Matthew 28:16-20 - the classic passage which tells Jesus' followers to 'make disciples' - as if it somehow negates the many commands to love people.
Christians are to practice both love and evangelism. They are not mutually exclusive.
Why is Social Justice Important?
Many Christians seem to believe that so-called social justice issues - such as addressing the problems of poverty and war in the world - are not part of Christian discipleship. Or at any rate, they are not an integral part of Christian discipleship.
I have to disagree. Social justice is just one of many ways of practising love to those in need. There is nothing threatening or anti-Christian about it. It is simply a way of practising 'Love your Neighbour' (and enemies).
Why do you take a pacifist stand?
Most simply, because I believe it is Biblical. For more detail, see the article, Is War Ever Justified?
But another reason is that the church has largely missed this element of the gospel, and needs to be alerted to it. Over the past generation or so, evangelical Christians have largely rediscovered the importance of social justice as an part of Christian living.
Now we need to make the next step, and realise that peacemaking is also part of social justice, and we need to be part of it.
NO This is not a site on the New Social Gospel, But when a Conservative Christian tells me they are conservative I tell them, No they are not. Conservative does what Jesus said. What most people call conservatism is the “New Christianity” that is Political, Social, Pro-Active, but neglects the Teachings of Jesus for the Righteousness of “causes”.
They are not Missionary Based or evangelism except it be to their own principles rather than what Jesus taught. They are the “last deception” the “Church” will go thru before Jesus returns.
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