Warrior's Dilemma, 7

As we saw in a previous post, every law system is at war with any and all who do not comply with that system. Law systems that clash normally wind up at war.

The reason is that the rival systems represent rival religions and, ultimately, rival gods. R.J. Rushdoony points this out in Institutes of Biblical Law.

[I]t must be recognized that in any culture the source of law is the god of that society. (p. 4)

This is true both logically and historically. You can see war as a clash of religion and a test of the superiority of a nation's god(s) in the account of the Phillistines' capture of the Ark of the Covenant.

And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken. . . . (1Sa 4:10-11)

And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod. When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof. (1Sa 5:1-6)

Getting back to Rushdoony's comment, we must answer the following questions:

1. Judging from the source of her laws, who is America's god?
2. Judging from her motives for going to war, what is America's religion?

Your comments and suggested answers are welcome.

Warrior's Dilemma, 6

I have some really busy days over the next week, and I don't know if I'll be able to post as regularly as usual. Things should settle down by next week, though (D.V.).

Continued from "Warrior's Dilemma, 5"

I published the following a few years ago on a blog that is now defunct. I think it bears repeating as a preparation for continued discussion:

Yesterday was Memorial Day, and I met it with mixed feelings. On one hand, I harbor a deep admiration and appreciation for those who have sacrificed to the point of death to serve in our nation's military. Their stories touch me in ways I cannot express.

On the other hand, I recognize that no matter how much lip service is given to high ideals, and no matter how many times we hear the phrase, "God and country," we still live in a secular nation that has turned its back on its Christian roots. I further see that often the real reasons that our leaders have in sending troops abroad are not the same ones voiced to the troops to motivate them to lay their lives on the line. How many troops have given their lives for God, mom & apple pie while those who sent them into harm's way did so for oil, profits and power.

I have the privilege of knowing some fine, dedicated Christians who serve in the US Military. Though they're not my children, I'm as proud of every one of them as though I were their father. Yet, there's a corner of my heart that also weeps that they stand ready and willing to give up their lives for a secular state that dishonors Christ and His Gospel and tramples God's Laws underfoot.

I DO love my country. Would that my country loved my King.

Psalm 27

Pastor preached on verses 1-6 of Psalm 27 today. It's one of those Christian Martialist passages that I like so much.

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. (Psa 27:1-3)

This puts me in mind of a very practical application of this passage, which I hope to post soon.

Warrior's Dilemma, 5

Continued from "Warrior's Dilemma, 4"

A lot of my previous discussion in this series turns on the question of what constitutes an unjust war. Emil was the first to point this out, but others have echoed his insight.

In his Institutes of Biblical Law, R.J. Rushdoony provides commentary on the Biblical concept of war from a perspective that our secular humanist age has forgotten. To wit, the nature of any law system goes to the very heart of what kind of wars that system will engender:

In brief, every law-order is a state of war against the enemies of that order, and all law is a form of warfare. Every law declares that certaion offenders are enemies of the law-order and must be arrested. For limited offenses, there are limited penalties; for capital offences [sic],capital punishment. Law is a state of war; it is the organization of the powers of civil government to bring the enemies of the law-order to justice. (p. 93)

Rushdoony now expands and applies this concept:

Since law is a form of warfare, it follows that there is a required continual barrier to peace with evil. Man cannot seek co-existence with evil without thereby declaring war against God. . . . The fact of warfare remains constant: the object of warfare can change. Marxist states [today, Muslim states, grvlbly] claim to be for "world peace" but this is only in terms of total conquest and total warfare against God and against all men. The more total the peace desired, the more total the warfare required. The new creation of Jesus Christ is the end result of His total warfare against a fallen world; it requires the permanent suppression of evil in hell. The new creation demanded by various forms of socialism [ or Islam, or secular humanism, gvlbly] requires the permanent suppression of the God of Scripture and of His covenant people. There can be peace in heaven, but no peace between heaven and hell.

There is much here to digest. I recommend that you think on these things until my next post on the subject.

Protect Your Children

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. (Mat 18:6)

The idea of protecting your children from some sadist or molester is dramatic. If you're like me, you've played out in your head exactly what you'd do to someone like that trying to harm your child.

In the real world, however, the threats are often not quite so acute. As a home educator, for example, I've faced the threats of school superintendents who wanted to place my children in the public school system, and I had to take my family & flee a state where we'd lived for 18 yrs because school officials equated home education with child abuse.

In our society, we must plan to protect our children from acute violent attack. We must also plan to protect them from the more subtle threats of bureaucratic tyranny, which can be just as violent, just as deadly.

1. Two examples come to mind:I don't remember where I read the statistic, but it stuck in my mind: A child removed to foster care is 13 times more likely to be abused than one left at home.
   
2. An otherwise healthy child on Ritalin is 6 times more likely to die than one who is drug-free.

The video below shows the dangers posed to your (and my) children/grandchildren by the entrenched bureaucrats who want to protect them to death:



(If your child is not in the public school system, the issue of his/her taking Ritalin or a similar drug will probably never come up.)

Warrior's Dilemma, 4

Continued from "Warrior's Dilemma, 3"

First, let me say, "What great responses, so far!" They are thoughtful & insightful, and I appreciate them a lot.

The consensus up to this point seems to find disfavor with Georg's joining the military. As it is wrong for a nation to initiate an unjust war, so it is wrong for an individual -- one who is cognizant of the unjust nature of his nation's war -- to volunteer to fight and kill in that war.

Could we draw an analogy here between the Nazi war machine and an inner city gang? The gang's objective is to use illegitimate force to further its ends. Their use of force includes killing rival gang members, citizens who resist the gang, and officials who get in the way.

A nation state that utilizes war in its pursuit of illegitimate ends has no more legitimate authority in that particular enterprise than the urban gang. To my way of thinking, the Christian Martialist who knowingly and voluntarily participates in either the gang's war or the Nazi's war has perverted his calling as a warrior.

So far, the application seems clear-cut. But it's always easier for a Republican to see the mote in the eye of a Democrat than the beam in his own (and vice versa).

At this point, I believe it would help to present a quote from deolexrex's email that sparked this series. The entire text of the email, without editing or comment, follows:

Please feel free to fire-bomb this thought if you would like.

A man believes his country is involved in an un-just war.

He believes he has always been called to military service.

He joins the marines, hoping for frontline duties.

If he lines up sights on another mother's son and pulls the trigger, is he guilty of murder?

To be continued

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Warrior's Dilemma, 3

Continued from "Warrior's Dilemma, 2"

I have presented Hans to you for your consideration. Now, I'd like you to meet his younger brother, Georg (pronounced GEY-org).

Georg also sees himself as a warrior. He's younger, though, and does not carry a lot of the personal baggage (lust for revenge) that weighs Hans down.

He knows from family discussions that Hitler is leading them down a path to war that is immoral and unjust. Nevertheless, He feels that he has always been called to military service.

He eventually enlists and is accepted into the elite Waffen SS. He inwardly responds to the call to battle and wants front-line duty.

Here's the question:

If he lines up sights on another mother's son and pulls the trigger, is he guilty of murder?

Continued in "Warrior's Dilemma, 4"

True Hearted, Wholehearted

Although this was once known as the Hymn of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), I think it makes a good song for Christian Martialists. (I have removed the two stanzas that refer exclusively to women, although they are both good, too). It is sung to this tune.

Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be;
Under the standard exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.

Refrain:

Peal out the watchword! Silence it never!
Song of our spirits, rejoicing and free;
Peal out the watchword! Loyal forever!
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be.

Wholehearted! Savior belovèd and glorious,
Take Thy great power and reign Thou alone,
Over our wills and affections victorious—
Freely surrendered and wholly Thine own.

(Refrain)

Truehearted, wholehearted! Fullest allegiance
Yielding henceforth to our glorious King!
Valiant endeavor and loving obedience
Freely and joyously now would we bring.

(Refrain)

Truehearted! Savior, Thou knowest our story,
Weak are the hearts that we lay at Thy feet,
Sinful and treacherous! yet, for Thy glory,
Heal them, and cleanse them from sin and deceit.

(Refrain)

Half-hearted, false-hearted! Heed we the warning!
Only the whole can be perfectly true;
Bring the whole offering, all timid thought scorning,
Truehearted only if whole-hearted too.

(Refrain)

Half-hearted! Savior, shall aught be withholden,
Giving Thee part Who has given us all?
Blessings outpouring, and promises golden
Pledging, with never reserve or recall!

(Refrain)

Half-hearted? Master, shall any who know Thee
Grudge Thee their lives, who has laid down Thine own?
Nay! we would offer the hearts that we owe Thee,
Live for Thy love and Thy glory alone.

(Refrain)

Warrior's Dilemma, 2

Continued from "Warrior's Dilemma"

I want to thank those who responded to my previous post on this topic. It looks as though they're thinking in the right direction. In this post, I'd like to take the analysis a step further.

The nice thing about hypothetical examples is that you can try to hide or obfuscate important details. That's what I did in this question about the dilemma facing Hans: Does he join the German Wermacht, as he harbors the hope to fight those nations which have so ill-treated his family, friends and neighbors?

Doesn't that sound a little as though Hans was tempted by revenge (Rom. 12:19)? Therefore, I think that in addition to the rightness of the cause, we must consider at least one additional criterion: the motives of the warrior himself.

It is very easy -- even for Christians -- to get swept up in a surge of nationalistic fervor whose cries for "justice" barely veil a bloodthirsty lust for revenge. In fact, I believe the evidence is clear that this is exactly how governments sell war to their people.

Many times, war slogans tend to foster a sense of indignation. "We've been wronged, and now we're going to set it right." Paybacks aren't Hell; they just lead there.

Remember the Alamo
Remember the Maine
Remember the Lusitania
Remember Pearl Harbor

Did someone mention 9/11? Oh, dear!

Continued in "Warrior's Dilemma, 3"

Warrior's Dilemma

David Grossman says that sheepdog/warriors long for righteous battle. Many Christians who respond to the warrior calling share that longing.

Here's a question those Christian Martialists must answer (prompted by a recent email from deolexrex): "When the opportunity to do battle arises, does the rightness of the cause really matter?"

The answer seems obvious . . . at first. Of course the righteous warrior must fight in a cause that is right. Otherwise he wouldn't be a righteous warrior, right?

Before jumping to any hasty conclusions, you might consider a hypothetical situation.

The scene is Germany in 1936. Hans is a Christian in his late teens who knows in his heart that he is a warrior.

Hans knows that his country has suffered humiliation and economic ruin unjustly at the hands of England and the United States after World War I. He also knows that his nation has emerged from misery under its charismatic Fuhrer who inspires real patriotism in the people.

On the other hand, Hans has read Mein Kampf, which contains Herr Hitler's blueprint for his regime. Taken literally, the book portends evil days ahead.

Here's the dilemma: Hans is a Christian warrior. Does he join the German Wermacht, as he harbors the hope to fight those nations which have so ill-treated his family, friends and neighbors? Or does he oppose Hitler because he sees the evil that may come about?

How would you advise Hans? Do you have a Biblical basis for your advice? Please share your view in the comments section.

Continued in "Warrior's Dilemma, 2"

It Ain''t Over Til It's Over

The following comes from Michael Gaddy's "We are the Enemy of the State".

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), The Missouri Militia Report and Virginia’s Homegrown Terrorism Report have unleashed an attack designed to demonize and dehumanize opponents of tyranny. The unclassified lists of those viewed as potential threats and terrorists includes opponents of abortion, groups opposed to illegal immigration, third-party political supporters, supporters of the Second Amendment, those stockpiling food, water, and ammunition, constitutionalists, veterans, critics of the United Nations and One World Government, and anyone fitting the "Right-Wing Extremist" profile.

Conspicuous in its absence in DHS’s report is any mention of Maoists, Marxists, Leninists, Stalinists, Trotskyites, or National Socialists as a terror threat. In short, our government exhibits no fear of socialism/fascism. It only fears those who would hold it accountable to the Constitution and rule of law.

What we know from the Department of Homeland Security and its Fusion Centers, now located in at least 25 states, concerning whom the state views as its enemies, is alarming indeed. What should be of even greater concern is what we don’t know that is contained in the classified section of their reports to LE agencies around the country. Information is classified to keep information from the enemy; why is the American public not allowed to see who else this government considers to be its enemy and how it intends to deal with the problem?

It is time to pay attention. We have been named as the state’s enemy. There undoubtedly is a plan in the works to deal with us.

I recommend you read the whole article.

One important lesson we can take away from this is that when tyrants rescind their public list of "potential terrorists", the threat to our freedom does not automatically go away. They still hate & fear us, and exposure merely drives their machinations underground.

Designed for Work, Destined for War, 5

Continued from "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 4"

Man's design allows for a broad range of physical and intellectual application. The hands that grasp a hoe, rake or shovel can also grasp a club, spear or firearm. The mind that plans parks, orchards and gardens can also plan strategy and tactics.

I believe humanity's ability to adapt to widely differing aspects of work and war has resulted from the providence of his Creator. God made man as His vice-regent to bring godly rule and order to the world by means of fruitful, fulfilling and purposeful labor.

In order to do this, Adam might have had to fight a dragon. Whether he would have slain the dragon immediately, or the attacks would have persisted over centuries as Adam and his progeny subdued creation, we cannot know.

We do know that our first parents' Fall into sin changed the nature of man with profound effects upon the nature of Nature (Rom. 8:22). Conflicts among men became inevitable.

From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war . . . . (Jas 4:1-2)

From the time that "Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him (Gen. 4:8)," it was manifest that, ultimately, war is an expression of rebellion against God and, by extension, against those upon whom God has set His love and grace.

As part of Christ's elect body, Christian Martialists must give thanks to their King for the high calling of placing themselves between the forces of evil and His people. And likewise thank Him for fitting us spiritually, mentally and physically for the task.

Blessed be the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. (Psa 144:1)

For we are workers by design, warriors by destiny.

End of series (for now).

Rear Naked Choke & Multiple Assailants

Normally, you don't think of grappling as a way of dealing with multiple assailants. The following video, however, demonstrates the rear naked choke as a means of controlling one attacker and using his body as a shield to fend off the others

Notice the importance of taking away your opponent's balance. In my opinion, you can get better control by taking his equilibrium than with pain compliance techniques, because the fear of falling is an instinct everyone has from birth.

Designed for Work, Destined for War, 4

Continued from "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 3"

How is it that God could design man for the task of taking dominion over the earth, yet expect him to function as a combatant against the dragon, as well? The lies in the fact that God made man to be a generalist.

Honeybees are specialists. They are fitted by the Creator for the task of producing wax combs and filling them with nectar they extract from flowers. They also produce an enzyme that turns the nectar into honey.

Likewise, birds are specialized for building nests, and rabbits for burrowing into the ground. Man, however, is different.

The tools his mind conceives, his hands can fashion and wield. He can hoe a garden, clear brush, fell a tree, build a house, compose and play music, and perform a host of other disparate tasks.

Because God constituted man as a generalist, individual human beings can specialize in whatever area suits them: farming, industry, business, science, technology, etc. This makes the division of labor possible for humans alone among the species.

A canary could not aspire to become an Olympic swimmer. Nor could a goldfish raise a field of turnips.

The secular humanist crowd credits evolution for man's generalist abilities. I don't know which is more incredible to believe, that totally random events produced a) a highly specialized creature like the honeybee or that aimless cause and effect resulted in b) a generalist creature like man, who can perform 10,000's of tasks well.

Those who posit an ultimate irrationality underlying all things demonstrate it personally by uttering such absurdities.

Continued in "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 5"

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Designed for Work, Destined for War, 3

Continued from "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 2"

The Lord not only told Adam & Eve to subdue the earth, He also told Adam to guard the Garden of Eden. Presumably, since Eve was Adam's helper, she was to assist him in this task.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Gen 2:15)

The word translated dress means, literally, to work. Adam was to work the garden (involving agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, entomology, etc.)

The word translated keep carries the idea of protection. J. Strong explains it thus:

A primitive root; properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc.

This role from their Creator involves a security function in that the garden was their home and workplace, but it also involves a priestly function, because it was also the sanctuary where they met with God. One function of the priest is to keep the profane out of the holy place.

This leads naturally to the question, "From what or whom did God expect Adam to protect the garden?" Well, who first trespassed and challenged God's lordship over the garden?

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? (Gen 3:1)

Adam should have protected the place that served as the center for his home, work and worship by ejecting (or slaying!) the dragon (Rev. 12:9; 20:12). In this he utterly failed, but that was clearly his duty in that circumstance.

Continued in "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 4"

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Designed for Work, Destined for War, 2

Continued from "Designed for Work, Destined for War"

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it. . . . (Gen 1:28)

The Hebrew word translated subdue in Genesis 1:28 is kabash. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (TWOT) explains this term as follows:

Despite recent interpretations of Gen 1:28 which have tried to make "subdue" mean a responsibility for building up, it is obvious from an overall study of the word's usage that this is not so. kabash assumes that the party being subdued is hostile to the subduer, necessitating some sort of coercion if the subduing is to take place.(Vol. I, p. 430)

The TWOT concludes,

Therefore "subdue" in Gen 1:28 implies that creation will not do man's bidding gladly or easily and that man must now bring creation into submission by main strength. (ibid.)

The Hebrew kabash comes from a root that means "to tread down". The Lutheran expositor Leupold observes that it carries the idea of a conqueror putting his foot on the neck of his foe.

God's use of this word, at the very least, lets man know that Adam would find his work a lot more challenging than a walk in the park. But there's a more sinister warning than hinted at in one word.

Continued in "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 3"

Designed for Work, Destined for War

God designed Adam and Eve for dominion. That was His stated purpose before He created them.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Gen 1:26)

The Lord's instruction to them begins,

Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion . . . . (Gen 1:28)

Since our first parents had to subdue the earth, you may infer that it needed subduing. Except for one relatively small part, the world was wilderness. It was good, as God had pronounced it, but it was also wild and untamed.

The Creator did not set them about their assignment without a plan of execution. He gave them a template for their task: a garden.

The Garden of Eden was, no doubt more than a flower bed or a vegetable garden. From what Scripture relates, we can conclude it was part orchard, part park, part botanical garden and part zoological garden.

God designed Adam and Eve for work. He put them together in such a way that fitted them physically and intellectually to tame the wilderness and turn it into garden through productive thought and labor.

The command, "Subdue the earth," sums up the intended work of man, but within it dwelt a foreboding.

Continued in "Designed for Work, Destined for War, 2"