That’s true, I had a bunch of interruptions and haven’t actually had a chance to finish the update; or really even watch it honestly.
I was thinking on this subject over the weekend and I’ve come to this general conclusion.
I think both are correct. My husband said this about the law of “an eye for an eye” you have a right do do that (take an eye for an eye) under the law, but Jesus called us to be “better” or “greater” and those verses are many on how he breaks down the better way, which is love.
So, he had the right to defend his church (I think there is enough Biblical back for that, but that’s just my thoughts based on what I know now).
However it’s possible there was a “better” way. I think it’s assuming a lot to think that the Pastor at Calgary “lost” his chance to save anyone by using the language he used. We have no clue what impact he had, and we can’t assume we know that it was negative even.
He didn’t curse, and I didn’t hear anything that shocked me. I don’t like yelling, for many reasons, but I didn’t hear anything that was a curse word. The only word he used that was super strong was psychopaths.
He is just a man. So when that situation arises for us individually we handle it however God calls us to. I don’t know this guy personally. Nor do I know the future, and the impact this will have, negative, positive, or neutral.
As far as Jesus calling the woman a dog–and putting the Jewish nation first–it’s a spiritual truth. I don’t think it matters if he calls her a “pet dog” or a dog. It’s the same to me. I’m not offended by it, and neither was the woman.
Also, pointing out how Jesus dealt with people trying to hinder God’s people, and ministry:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.
16 “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ 17 You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 19 You blind men!
…
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Closing down a church when walmart etc. are still open is pretty hypocritical.
These officers are blind hypocrites serving an evil government.
Closing down a place of worship is pretty evil.
So yes, I agree, maybe he could have been nicer–he could have done it differently. However, I don’t feel strongly that he sinned or anything.
Also this:
Video: Canadian Christian-Rights Pastor Artur Pawlawski's House Set On Fire
Many may think he was “too strong” and missed the mark on his being upset by cops trying to shut down his church, but maybe we should be looking more at the fact that, this is it.
This is the end, and as imperfect as we are, this world is becoming more and more hostile to Jesus, and this guy is paying for his bravery, and for his actions.
And it’s because he is a man who serves Jesus; imperfectly maybe, but he serves Jesus none-the-less.
How evil is it that police officers are closing down churches? That’s pretty evil. Pretty hypocritical too.
The religious leaders in Jesus’ day were the same way.
Cops are not just called to “follow orders” they are called to uphold justice–and they were not. They were perverting justice. But they are blind guides maybe because they can’t see the hypocrisy with these restrictions, in Canada and worldwide.
So I feel bad for all involved. May God have mercy, I pray. Amen.