Why is it okay when christians kill and destroy, but it is not okay when other religions do the same?

Sincerely, Taking Up Arms

Dear Taking Up Arms,

It isn’t okay for christians to kill and destroy. In fact, it is strictly forbidden (Jas 4:2, Rom 1:28-32). Christ specifically states that His kingdom, the church, is a spiritual kingdom that doesn’t need soldiers to protect it (Jhn 18:36). Christianity was never intended to be spread by the tip of the sword. Throughout history, people have used the Bible and Christ as a reason to conquer nations and attack others, but that doesn’t make it right. People have done all sorts of stupid things in the name of religion. Just because someone says that it is okay for a christian to do this or that does not make it true. The Bible should be the final authority on all issues of right and wrong.

Any religious group that attempts to grow through violence is not from God… even if they call themselves christians.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year

Were the Ten Commandments only mentioned in the Old Testament? And if so, why do we abide by them today if they were not mentioned or commanded in the New Testament?

Sincerely, Counting To Ten

Dear Counting To Ten,

The ‘Ten Commandments’ were Old Testament laws, and you need to live by nine of them. The entire Old Testament law, including the ‘Ten Commandments’ was done away with in Christianity (Gal 3:23-25). The New Testament law supersedes the Old Testament one, and the law written on stone tablets (the Mosaic law which includes the Ten Commandments {Deu 4:13}) has passed away (2 Cor 3:3-11).

Having said that, the New Testament reiterates nine out of the ten commands. Christians do obey nine of the ‘Ten Commandments’ because Christ thought nine of them were worth keeping in the New Testament.

1. Thou shalt not have any other god before me (Ex 20:3, 1 Cor 10:14)
2. Thou shalt not make graven images or bow down to them (Ex 20:4-5, 1 Jhn 5:21)
3. Thou shalt not take God’s name in vain (Ex 20:7, Heb 12:28)
4. Honor thy father and mother (Ex 20:12, Eph 6:1-2)
5. Thou shalt not kill (Ex 20:13, 1 Pet 4:15)
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex 20:14, Heb 13:4)
7. Thou shalt not steal (Ex 20:15, Eph 4:28)
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness (Ex 20:16, Rev 21:8)
9. Thou shalt not covet (Ex 20:17, Eph 5:3)

The only one of the ‘Ten Commandments’ left out is the keeping of the Sabbath (Ex 20:8). Christians aren’t bound to keep the Sabbath holy; Jews were. You have to keep the other nine though.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week All the New Testament in a year