Comments on: Would the Good Samaritan Fight? http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/ Good thoughts about Jesus and the Good News that He Is and Represents Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:23:45 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: paul merrill http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-296 paul merrill Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:53:14 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-296 I completely and totally agree with you, Carl. I have a believer friend who is very anti-gun-control. I have "argued" with him about the issue. When I read your post, I thought it would be great for him to read it. But I will not be forwarding it to him, as I know his mind is made up - and nothing I say will change his mind, even if it's someone else speaking. That's frustrating. I completely and totally agree with you, Carl.

I have a believer friend who is very anti-gun-control. I have “argued” with him about the issue. When I read your post, I thought it would be great for him to read it. But I will not be forwarding it to him, as I know his mind is made up – and nothing I say will change his mind, even if it’s someone else speaking.

That’s frustrating.

]]> By: Alex Horn http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-292 Alex Horn Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:45:02 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-292 oh and Carl, i am going to be going to Egypt next fall (Cairo) to study abroad. I have felt an urge inside me or maybe just a desire to get involved with some followers of christ over there talking about jesus with the Arab people. I will have some free time over there and would like to spend it devoted to whatever Jesus is doing over there and trying to follow him. So if you know anyone over there that i could contact i would appreciate it. Also, if you arent too busy, and would have time to meet with me before i go i would appreciate any advice you can give me. I am a good friend of Dell Vanessen and his family so if you are ever over at their house maybe i could just come too and chat a bit with you both. oh and Carl, i am going to be going to Egypt next fall (Cairo) to study abroad. I have felt an urge inside me or maybe just a desire to get involved with some followers of christ over there talking about jesus with the Arab people. I will have some free time over there and would like to spend it devoted to whatever Jesus is doing over there and trying to follow him. So if you know anyone over there that i could contact i would appreciate it. Also, if you arent too busy, and would have time to meet with me before i go i would appreciate any advice you can give me. I am a good friend of Dell Vanessen and his family so if you are ever over at their house maybe i could just come too and chat a bit with you both.

]]> By: Alex Horn http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-291 Alex Horn Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:36:48 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-291 I think those are all great points. I guess the question i am wondering is if there are people who are so unjust, or so evil, that showing the love of Christ maybe doesnt even work on them. It feels kinda weird even asking that because i know that His love is more powerful than i could ever imagine and i know it is not confined by mans wickidness. But, for example, when you were in the desert that one time getting held at gunpoint by the iraqui men. Lets say they were planning on killing you guys. Would it have done any good to say "God loves you and so do I." Or could that have only caused them to kill you sooner? Then again, as you said about that story, God's love for them would be worth that i guess. SOrry i am kind of just spilling out all my thoughts onto this blog, im a verbal processor. So if what i said is true, that Gods love for the world is worth me dying, or is worth my family dying, or is worth a nation being taken over by an evil empire (maybe what could have happened in the 40's if we had not retaliated against Hitler), then what place does a bumbling follower of Jesus have in the Military like myself? I think those are all great points. I guess the question i am wondering is if there are people who are so unjust, or so evil, that showing the love of Christ maybe doesnt even work on them. It feels kinda weird even asking that because i know that His love is more powerful than i could ever imagine and i know it is not confined by mans wickidness. But, for example, when you were in the desert that one time getting held at gunpoint by the iraqui men. Lets say they were planning on killing you guys. Would it have done any good to say “God loves you and so do I.” Or could that have only caused them to kill you sooner? Then again, as you said about that story, God’s love for them would be worth that i guess. SOrry i am kind of just spilling out all my thoughts onto this blog, im a verbal processor. So if what i said is true, that Gods love for the world is worth me dying, or is worth my family dying, or is worth a nation being taken over by an evil empire (maybe what could have happened in the 40’s if we had not retaliated against Hitler), then what place does a bumbling follower of Jesus have in the Military like myself?

]]> By: Carl Medearis http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-289 Carl Medearis Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:47:56 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-289 Alex We are for sure called to oppose evil and injustice. But Paul says "do not repay evil with evil" and "do good to your enemies." So the question is HOW do we fight injustice and evil without becoming like the ones we fight. How can we stand up for the "beaten up guy in the ditch" without stooping to the same level as the attackers? And Jesus' life and teachings provide the answers to that. If you can't picture Jesus physically beating someone up -that's probably because he wouldn't (and didn't). So then, what would he do? Or...what did he do? Alex

We are for sure called to oppose evil and injustice. But Paul says “do not repay evil with evil” and “do good to your enemies.” So the question is HOW do we fight injustice and evil without becoming like the ones we fight. How can we stand up for the “beaten up guy in the ditch” without stooping to the same level as the attackers? And Jesus’ life and teachings provide the answers to that. If you can’t picture Jesus physically beating someone up -that’s probably because he wouldn’t (and didn’t). So then, what would he do? Or…what did he do?

]]> By: Alex Horn http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-288 Alex Horn Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:42:03 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-288 I am a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy and obviously have wrestled and wrestled over this issue. I've read books that have swayed me one way or the other but have yet to become convinced that violence is ever the best (in italics) way. I think, and have learned alot of this from you carl, that it is clear that Jesus' way is the best way. However, i struggle at times to learn how to apply his way to our world. If we (as a nation) back in WWII acted as jesus would, would hitler and nazi germany have taken over the world? Now there are thousands of hypotheticals that we could bring up but it is an interesting thing to think about. Dietrich Bonhoffer was a man who opposed Nazi Germany while being an incredibly influential follower of Christ. Are we, along with following the "greatest commandment" of love, to also oppose injustice and evil? These are all questions and no answers so i would appreciate any input you all have... I am a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy and obviously have wrestled and wrestled over this issue. I’ve read books that have swayed me one way or the other but have yet to become convinced that violence is ever the best (in italics) way. I think, and have learned alot of this from you carl, that it is clear that Jesus’ way is the best way. However, i struggle at times to learn how to apply his way to our world. If we (as a nation) back in WWII acted as jesus would, would hitler and nazi germany have taken over the world? Now there are thousands of hypotheticals that we could bring up but it is an interesting thing to think about. Dietrich Bonhoffer was a man who opposed Nazi Germany while being an incredibly influential follower of Christ. Are we, along with following the “greatest commandment” of love, to also oppose injustice and evil? These are all questions and no answers so i would appreciate any input you all have…

]]> By: Bob Lamborn http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-283 Bob Lamborn Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:59:35 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-283 Carl, Carl, Carl...love your thoughts that really make you think, but I would also say Jesus said to do unto others and no greater love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. If any of us were the one being beaten, what would we want someone to do, not to mention what would this man's family want the Samaritan to do if he was witnessing the attack? But your point is also interesting in that Jesus stopped the violence of the woman caught in adultery but by the power of reaching the mens' hearts with his words. And certainly if he had stepped in the way to stop a stone from hitting the woman, he would not have thrown it back. Carl, Carl, Carl…love your thoughts that really make you think, but I would also say Jesus said to do unto others and no greater love than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. If any of us were the one being beaten, what would we want someone to do, not to mention what would this man’s family want the Samaritan to do if he was witnessing the attack? But your point is also interesting in that Jesus stopped the violence of the woman caught in adultery but by the power of reaching the mens’ hearts with his words. And certainly if he had stepped in the way to stop a stone from hitting the woman, he would not have thrown it back.

]]> By: Carl Medearis http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-282 Carl Medearis Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:47:15 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-282 David, thanks for the question - it's one I often get. Bottom line, she's got the typical "minority complex" of a "Christian" living in a Muslim country. Hurt. Full of Fear. Her book is a HUGE problem - focusing on every negative angle possible to make us afraid. Bottom line, fear only produces one thing - bad behavior! Don't read the stuff. How's that for a nice response? :) David, thanks for the question – it’s one I often get. Bottom line, she’s got the typical “minority complex” of a “Christian” living in a Muslim country. Hurt. Full of Fear. Her book is a HUGE problem – focusing on every negative angle possible to make us afraid. Bottom line, fear only produces one thing – bad behavior! Don’t read the stuff. How’s that for a nice response? :)

]]> By: David R. Jones http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-280 David R. Jones Thu, 10 Dec 2009 02:03:19 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-280 I appreciated reading your blog about the good Samaritan as well as the comment above. I'm not sure what the Samaritan would do if he had been on the scene when the beating and robbery occurred. Perhaps the robbers would not have bothered doing their evil deed, but I think the Samaritan would have intervened to ward off the attack. On another subject, Carl, are you familiare with the book "Because They Hate" by Brigitte Gabriel, a Lebanese woman who survived the attacks by Hezbollah in the early 70s then came to the U.S. where she is now a columnist and writer, also an Orthodox Christian. We'd appreciate your comment on her book which is quite strongly worded as a warning to the U.S. about Muslim intentions toward our country; i.e. to conquer us and dominate the world ultimately. David R. Jones I appreciated reading your blog about the good Samaritan as well as the comment above. I’m not sure what the Samaritan would do if he had been on the scene when the beating and robbery occurred. Perhaps the robbers would not have bothered doing their evil deed, but I think the Samaritan would have intervened to ward off the attack.

On another subject, Carl, are you familiare with the book “Because They Hate” by Brigitte Gabriel, a Lebanese woman who survived the attacks by Hezbollah in the early 70s then came to the U.S. where she is now a columnist and writer, also an Orthodox Christian. We’d appreciate your comment on her book which is quite strongly worded as a warning to the U.S. about Muslim intentions toward our country; i.e. to conquer us and dominate the world ultimately.

David R. Jones

]]> By: David Higginbotham http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2009/12/would-the-good-samaritan-fight/comment-page-1/#comment-278 David Higginbotham Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:23:16 +0000 http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/?p=219#comment-278 Carl, Thought provoking post... The thing that usually bothers me about these questions is that one can easily craft an answer to support one's point of view. You seem to have given it a more even treatment and I appreciate that. I could, however, easily see the samaritan placing himself between the robbers and the victim and taking the risks attached to such action. It would seem that to stand by and watch such an evil action take place with out attempting to stop it would be out of character with the character of Jesus. This is not a well developed thought on my part...just an instinctive response. I would hope that if I were the victim of such an attack a Brother would step in and try to stop it and that I would do the same. Doing so, IMO would not make one a violent person but one who is a protector of the weak and those in need. Once again, good post. Godspeed to you and your family this Christmas season. (PS. I live in Kansas City and have heard you speak at Metro several times and followed your ministry over the years. Glad to E-connect with you on FB and your blog.) Carl,

Thought provoking post…

The thing that usually bothers me about these questions is that one can easily craft an answer to support one’s point of view. You seem to have given it a more even treatment and I appreciate that.

I could, however, easily see the samaritan placing himself between the robbers and the victim and taking the risks attached to such action. It would seem that to stand by and watch such an evil action take place with out attempting to stop it would be out of character with the character of Jesus. This is not a well developed thought on my part…just an instinctive response. I would hope that if I were the victim of such an attack a Brother would step in and try to stop it and that I would do the same. Doing so, IMO would not make one a violent person but one who is a protector of the weak and those in need.

Once again, good post.

Godspeed to you and your family this Christmas season.

(PS. I live in Kansas City and have heard you speak at Metro several times and followed your ministry over the years. Glad to
E-connect with you on FB and your blog.)

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