Calvin Synod Herald, 2008 (109. évfolyam, 1-10. szám)
2008-07-01 / 7-8. szám
12 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD War is Hell... This statement is attributed to General Sherman of Civil war fame. His scorched earth tactics as he marched through Georgia and the Carolinas have been pointed to by some modem writers as the model for the mass destruction of property and life of the great wars that have followed. This tactic/policy has also made him one of the most controversial persons from that sad saga of US history. No matter what one thinks of Sherman, his words surely live on in the heart and mind of every human being who have been in the midst of any armed conflict, war is indeed hell on earth. At present we find ourselves engaged in two hot spots in the world, Iraq and Pakistan with rumors of further military action with Iran just beneath the surface in the minds of many. Some today still rant and rave about how the powers used deceit and that we entered into Iraq illegally. I am no constitutional authority though it appears many who have scarcely read that document claim to be. It seems to me that if there was any legitimacy to the claim the opposing party would have long ago used it to unseat their political foes, beginning with the president. Almost forty years ago at the ripe old age of twenty-one I found myself in the jungles of Viet Nam. Shortly after that momentous event I killed my first man in hand to hand combat somewhere on the invisible border of Cambodia and Viet Nam. This was an event that was burned into my very soul and changed my life forever. The only consolation at the time was there was no choice and believing we were there for a purpose and that purpose was just. We all have heard I pray of the protests against that war and the treatment our military faced in the streets of their home towns on their return to the nation they literally risked their lives to serve. The stories are true and I have personally suffered the cat calls and even physical assaults on the streets of Charlotte, NC. As bad as the days and especially the nights in the jungle were, the total disrespect at home left memories with me that did much more damage emotionally. I have not seen the open rebellion in the streets we had in the late sixties yet, but fear it is coming. The draft no longer exists and Canada is not harboring cowards who would not serve their country, they are still at home speaking about things they have no knowledge of and without regard for the men and women who daily walk in harm’s way that they can have this right. Now I personally do not give a “rat’s behind” where we are there legally or otherwise, our military is engaged in the hell of war. They deserve the united support of their fellow citizens. It is time to cut the rhetoric and give our military the support at home they richly deserve. Sadly I think we are in a war that cannot be won because we are trying to do with force and bullets what has never been done before; destroy the spirit of a human being. This is a religious war, and there is not military answer that will end it once and for all. With enough atrocities we might bring a period of lesser open conflict but the spirit beneath will live on and rage again in the future. That also is not of concern as far as letting our military know we support them and are praying for their safe return. Legal? I do not know truthfully, but could not care less about that issue. Others with far more knowledge in such can take care of that detail. I appeal to every man, woman, and child out here however to not be a part of the further emotional turmoil for those we have sent into harm’s way for our freedoms. From personal experience, notes form total strangers and “care” packages from them are totally welcome and appreciated. We have many groups involved in such activities, find one and take a part in it. Dare to step up and thank the next person you see in uniform for what they stand for and what they are doing for our nation. Yes, war is hell General Sherman, but may it be left on the battlefields and not brought home to infect our returning heroes. Dr. Chuck Baynard Reformed Doctrine, Chapter XV Of Repentance unto Life I. Repentance unto life is a personal grace granted by God.fl] This doctrine of repentance is to be preached by every minister alongside that of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.! [2] II. By repentance a sinner who cannot see the danger or the filthiness of his sins being contrary to the holy nature and righteous law of God enabled to see Christ are sorry for and hate their sins. The believer then will turn away from his sins toward God[3] in repentance. He endeavors to walk in all of God’s commandments. [4] III. Repentance may not be rested upon as providing any satisfaction for sin or cause any pardon for any part of sin[5] such being the act of God’s free grace in Christ.[6] Nonetheless it is so necessary to salvation that none may expect pardon without it. [7] IV. While there is no sin too small to deserve eternal damnation[8] neither is there a sin so great that it can bring damnation to those who truly repent.[9] V. Men should not be content with a general repentance because it is every man’s duty to seek out sin in his life and repent for it in particular. [10] VI. People are bound by God to make a private confession of their sins to God. They pray for the pardon for the sin[l 1] in their lives and when they repent from them shall find mercy. [12] A person then who scandalizes his brother or the church of Christ should be willing to make a private or public confession. In the sorrow for his sin declare his repentance to those offended.[13] In doing this he is reconciled to him and in love received by the ones offended. [14] Questions 1. Who must repent to be saved? 2. Where does repentance come from? 3. Should repentance be public or private? 4. What are the offended parties bound to do by God when the offender repents? [1] Acts 11:18; II Cor. 7:10; Zech. 12:10 [2] Luke 24:47; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21 [3] Ezek. 18:30-31; 36:31; Isa. 30:22; Psa. 51:4; Jer. 31:18-19; Joel 2:12-13; Amos 5:15; Psa. 119:128; II Cor. 7:11; I Thess. 1:9 [4] Psa. 119:6, 59, 106; II Kings 23:25; see Luke 1:6 [5] Ezek. 16:61-63; 36:31-32; Isa. 43:25 [6] Hosea 14:2, 4; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7 [7] Luke 13:3, 5; Mark 1:4; Acts 17:30-31 [8] Rom. 6:23; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 12:36 [9] Isa. 1:16-18; 55:7; Rom. 8:1 [10] Psa. 19:13; Matt. 26:75; Luke 19:8; I Tim. 1:13, 15 [11] Psa. 32:5-6; Psa. 51:1-14 [12] Prov. 28:13; Isa. 55:7; I John 1:9 [13] James 5:16; Luke 17:3-4; Josh. 7:19; see Matt. 18:15-18 [14] II Cor. 2:7-8; see Gal. 6:1-2
