Being an ambassader of the prince of peace

The following is my response to a publication by Southern Baptist theological seminary it is called "towers" this is volume 10 September 2011.
The new evangelical movement has made a lot of progress in turning baptist churches from New Testament churches to mainline protestant churches. Especially concerning our religious liberty and how we then feel about peace and war. While it is fine for a christian to serve in the military and theoretically a government could conduct "a just war" It is not the duty or curse of the Church to pick sides in the deadly confrontation. This a hinderance to the true Gospel and has lead to the persecution of christians over the centuries.
Isaiah 2:4(KJV) 4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.




Dear Towers,
This letter is in response to Michael Haykin and Mark T. Coppenger in the interview “turning the correct cheek”

“pacifism has never been a real option for Baptists”So Haykin makes the declaration, as if we were Catholic that Baptist were NEVER pacifistic.
Question: Why didn’t the Baptist war against the state of Massachusetts? Why didn’t the Baptist war against Virginia?
They WERE oppressed in the pre-colonial era. Why didn’t they start the American Revolution earlier themselves? Instead of waiting for non-new testament churches.
So there were no major Baptist leaders who were pacifistic? Ever heard of Baptist pastor Martin Luther King Jr.?
“Baptist came out of a puritan mindset.”Bologna. Baptist came out of an Anabaptist and separatist mindset. If they did not come out of a separatist mindset they would never have separated from the Anglican church to begin with! That is the puritan mindset!
“By and large the American Baptist Experience was not pacificistic either” XIX. Peace and War 1925 Baptist faith and message
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the pure gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of his teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of his law of love.
We urge Christian people throughout the world to pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace, and to oppose everything likely to provoke war.
Matt. 5:9,13-14,43-46; Heb. 12:14; James 4:1; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 14:17,19.
XVI. Peace and War 1963 Baptist faith and message
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love.
Isa. 2:4; Matt. 5:9,38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Rom. 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Heb.12:14; James 4:1-2.
XVI. Peace and War 2000 Baptist faith and message
It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.
The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9,38-48; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36,38; Romans 12:18-19; 13:1-7; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:1-2.


Where? Where in any of these editions of the Baptist faith and message is the just war theory propagated?
Let’s make it simpler. Where does Jesus tell the church to start a war?
We know that Jesus refused to be an earthly king.
John 6:15 (KJV)
15When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
We kno w that he said his kingdom was not earthly.
John 18:35-36(KJV)
35Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

We know that Paul said we do not war with carnal weapons.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6
King James Version (KJV)
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Yet we hear……
““Baptist came out of a puritan mindset. In that mindset, Christianity was to transform culture, so they sought to impact culture rather than withdraw from it.” So are we to use war to “impact culture”? Are we to not worry about presenting the gospel because we are slicing a fellows head off while we move on to shoot his wife and children?
“They inherited the right of a people to overthrow a government when the government became oppressive and tyrannical, especially vis a vis religion.”Is this compatible with the doctrine of religious liberty?
XVIII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and he has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to his Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to the church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Gal. 3:9-14; John 7:38-39; James 4:12; Gal. 5:13; 2 Peter 2:18-21; 1 Cor. 3:5; Rom. 6:1-2; Matt. 22:21; Mark 12:17.
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Gen. 1:27; 2:7; Matt. 6:6-7; 24:16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Rom. 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Gal. 5:1,13; Phil. 3:20; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.
XVII. Religious Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.
Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:6-7, 24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:19-20; Romans 6:1-2; 13:1-7; Galatians 5:1,13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:12-17; 3:11-17; 4:12-19.


I f Southern Seminary were consistent they would terminate Michael Haykin for teaching contrary to the Baptist faith and message. They can terminate liberals over the same issue, yet if one is “conservative” then it doesn’t matter if they contradict Baptist teaching.
What source do they rely upon to establish the just war theory?
St. Augustine, count Boniface and Thomas Aquinas.
All Roman Catholic. Also involved in the Killing of Christians over doctrinal differences. (donatism, cathars etc.)
Yes Luther and Calvin would follow in this philosophy. Which would result in the killing of Anabaptist and other sects.
Even more important is the fact that mainline Protestantism then protects the crimes of the RCC Inquisition and the millions upon millions of murders in the name of Christ. Yes Baptist were separate/holy. The New Testament church did not get involved in violence.
However in America, every war since after WWII, congress has never declared war as stated in the constitution. Thus making them illegal. Yet southern Baptist leaders like Richard land ignore the breaking of law in order to perpetuate these wars in the name of Christ.
So as America stomps overseas like an empire. Baptists like Richard Land lets the muslims know that he is pushing the government to make war and occupy their people. So who is the real loser?
New Testament Christians! Iraqi Christians who have been persecuted, murdered and exiled because the Muslims think the Christians are out to get them! That’s a fine way to impact the culture!
Gee, I wonder why Southern Seminary would be so anxious to speak on this issue? I sure it has nothing to do with the fact that one of their biggest donors is the oil companies. (look it up for yourself, not a lie)
Sure the gospel allows soldiers to be saved. But the church is never to officially take sides in any war accept against the devil.