Comments for Journeys http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:44:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by janthonywalker http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-182 janthonywalker Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:44:03 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-182 Hey Jen! Thanks for reading and for the comment. I certainly agree with your point. Punishment is not punishment when it includes all the creature comforts of the "outside world". I'm not sure that allowing convicted murderers to watch Jerry Springer whenever they choose or watch porn on the internet at will really teaches them anything about receiving the consequences for their actions!! Hey Jen! Thanks for reading and for the comment. I certainly agree with your point. Punishment is not punishment when it includes all the creature comforts of the “outside world”. I’m not sure that allowing convicted murderers to watch Jerry Springer whenever they choose or watch porn on the internet at will really teaches them anything about receiving the consequences for their actions!!

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by Jen Richison http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-181 Jen Richison Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:44:10 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-181 Jason- I read this and thought about it, and have to say I agree with you. The only thing that I have a problem with is how well our prisoners are treated in prison. I feel that if the prisoners were only limited to two meals a day, and either had to work, or sit in a cell w/o anything except a toilet, I would be ok with never killing another person via the death penalty. There's just something that irkes (really angers) me about cable TV, internet and phone use when you murdered someone. What do you think? Jason- I read this and thought about it, and have to say I agree with you. The only thing that I have a problem with is how well our prisoners are treated in prison. I feel that if the prisoners were only limited to two meals a day, and either had to work, or sit in a cell w/o anything except a toilet, I would be ok with never killing another person via the death penalty. There’s just something that irkes (really angers) me about cable TV, internet and phone use when you murdered someone. What do you think?

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by janthonywalker http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-180 janthonywalker Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:22:05 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-180 Thanks for the reply, Lionel. I certainly agree with you for the most part. I would still stand by my conviction that if I were being attacked, or if my family were being attacked I would defend myself to whatever point necessary. God bless you, brother!! Keep reading. :) Thanks for the reply, Lionel. I certainly agree with you for the most part. I would still stand by my conviction that if I were being attacked, or if my family were being attacked I would defend myself to whatever point necessary. God bless you, brother!! Keep reading. :)

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by Lionel Woods http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-179 Lionel Woods Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:29:25 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-179 Hey brother my arguement from the Christian perspective is found in Romans 12 near the end of the Chapter. Not to mention Jesus' commands to love our enemies. If we ignore these imperatives why not ignore the rest of them when we are inconvenienced. As a believer, regardless of the crime against me or someone I love, I am to never to seek vengance. I think we should follow the road of our Mennonite and Quacker brothers on this one. Hey brother my arguement from the Christian perspective is found in Romans 12 near the end of the Chapter. Not to mention Jesus’ commands to love our enemies. If we ignore these imperatives why not ignore the rest of them when we are inconvenienced. As a believer, regardless of the crime against me or someone I love, I am to never to seek vengance. I think we should follow the road of our Mennonite and Quacker brothers on this one.

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by janthonywalker http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-178 janthonywalker Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:31:38 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-178 Michael, Thanks for your thoughts and support! Also, for the information on the cost of executing an inmate versus housing them for life. That was new to me and absolutely fascinating. It is just one more piece in the puzzle confirming my current position on this. As I said, I fought with myself on this issue for a long, long time! But, ultimately, I just couldn't justify the two positions existing simultaneously in my mind. There are so many examples of people who spent their lives committing crime and then being redeemed by the power of Christ and being a powerful example of his love. Even behind bars, Christ's power is not dimished. Thanks again for your thoughts and thanks for reading! J Michael,

Thanks for your thoughts and support! Also, for the information on the cost of executing an inmate versus housing them for life. That was new to me and absolutely fascinating. It is just one more piece in the puzzle confirming my current position on this.

As I said, I fought with myself on this issue for a long, long time! But, ultimately, I just couldn’t justify the two positions existing simultaneously in my mind. There are so many examples of people who spent their lives committing crime and then being redeemed by the power of Christ and being a powerful example of his love. Even behind bars, Christ’s power is not dimished.

Thanks again for your thoughts and thanks for reading!
J

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by Michael http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-177 Michael Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:04:35 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-177 Jason, Very, very well said. It is almost exactly my thoughts on this subject. I have always thought that it is a contradiction to be pro-life and pro-death penalty (or vice versa). Another interesting tidbit I found when researching this subject in school: It is more expensive to execute someone than to imprison them for life. (I forget the exact term they used when using "life" but I want to say it was like 40 years). In the end, I always shudder to think that by executing "vengeance," is it not possible that we are exterminating a life that God could have used to His purpose? Anyway, very thought-provoking piece Jason. M Jason,

Very, very well said. It is almost exactly my thoughts on this subject. I have always thought that it is a contradiction to be pro-life and pro-death penalty (or vice versa).

Another interesting tidbit I found when researching this subject in school:

It is more expensive to execute someone than to imprison them for life. (I forget the exact term they used when using “life” but I want to say it was like 40 years).

In the end, I always shudder to think that by executing “vengeance,” is it not possible that we are exterminating a life that God could have used to His purpose?

Anyway, very thought-provoking piece Jason.

M

]]> Comment on A Casual Relationship With the Truth by janthonywalker http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/a-casual-relationship-with-the-truth/#comment-176 janthonywalker Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:08:52 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-176 Thanks so much for this. I appreciate your words and certainly your prayers more than you could possibly know. This is the toughest thing I've ever done in my life. But, I must do it not only for me but for all of my friends back there who are still so deceived. I hurt for them everyday because I know how much they are hurting. As you pray for me...please pray for them. I hope that my story can some how help start a legitimate dialog in the church on this issue. God bless you, Jared! Thanks so much for this. I appreciate your words and certainly your prayers more than you could possibly know. This is the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life. But, I must do it not only for me but for all of my friends back there who are still so deceived. I hurt for them everyday because I know how much they are hurting. As you pray for me…please pray for them. I hope that my story can some how help start a legitimate dialog in the church on this issue.

God bless you, Jared!

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by janthonywalker http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-175 janthonywalker Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:06:40 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-175 Hey Brother...thanks for your thoughts. As I said, this issue is such a touchy one for me and I did go back and forth on it for many years. I totally understand where you're coming from and I can honestly see your point. So, far be it from me to question your reasoning on the issue. Personally, I think this may be one that honest Christians can simply disagree on honestly. I don't think we'll ever figure this one out this side of Heaven. I don't think you (or anyone else) who supports capitol punishment is bloodthirsty at all. I think there is a legitimate argument on both sides of the issue. I waited so long to post on this topic because I wanted to make sure I had a clue. You're right -- far too many people espouse a viewpoint on issues without having a single idea why. Bless you, brother. I miss talkin' with you! Hey Brother…thanks for your thoughts.

As I said, this issue is such a touchy one for me and I did go back and forth on it for many years. I totally understand where you’re coming from and I can honestly see your point. So, far be it from me to question your reasoning on the issue. Personally, I think this may be one that honest Christians can simply disagree on honestly. I don’t think we’ll ever figure this one out this side of Heaven. I don’t think you (or anyone else) who supports capitol punishment is bloodthirsty at all. I think there is a legitimate argument on both sides of the issue. I waited so long to post on this topic because I wanted to make sure I had a clue. You’re right — far too many people espouse a viewpoint on issues without having a single idea why.

Bless you, brother. I miss talkin’ with you!

]]> Comment on A Casual Relationship With the Truth by jaredcburt http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/03/10/a-casual-relationship-with-the-truth/#comment-174 jaredcburt Mon, 15 Jun 2009 03:55:06 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-174 Jason, Thanks for your honesty. Thanks for your boldness. I wish more people had such boldness. Brother, keep sharing this testimony. This is an area that needs to be discussed and thought about.Furthermore, I pray for healing... for you and others who have not been so bold. May they find rest and peace in Christ - the Prince of Peace. Jared Jason,

Thanks for your honesty. Thanks for your boldness. I wish more people had such boldness. Brother, keep sharing this testimony. This is an area that needs to be discussed and thought about.Furthermore, I pray for healing… for you and others who have not been so bold. May they find rest and peace in Christ – the Prince of Peace.

Jared

]]> Comment on Thou Shalt Not Murder by jaredcburt http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/2009/05/22/thou-shalt-not-murder/#comment-173 jaredcburt Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:00:41 +0000 http://janthonywalker.wordpress.com/?p=122#comment-173 Alright, now I know why I was thinking about Jason Walker today: God's sovereignty! This morning a student handed me a paper to fill out for one of his classes. Question #1: "Do you support capital punishment?" I hate that question. Like you, I have struggled with it all of my life. However, I put "yes" for the following reasons: 1. Acts 25:11 - Paul, in defending himself, stated that if he had done "anything worthy of death," he would not refuse to die. 2. Rom. 13:4b - I think this verse clearly gives government the right use the death penalty. Two other verses of some relevance to this topic are (1) Gen. 9:6 and (2) Matt. 26:52. Of course, many will not accept the OT passage as relevant. But Matt. 26:52 can easily be interpreted as Jesus telling Peter that those who kill with the sword will be judge by the sword (death). I know... many will not accept these verses as biblical support for the death penalty. Of course, to deny them, ALL of them must be clarified in such a way that does not support capital punishment. Personally, I found this task too difficult. I wrote this because too often people think Christians are uncompassionate and not Christlike if they support CP. I am not bloodthirsty. I sincerely want all too live in peace, love, and unity; but I think there is a place for capital punishment. Thanks for the thoughtful post. It took courage to post it. And let’s be honest… a lot of people who support it, don’t have a clue why. Grace and Peace to You, Jared Alright, now I know why I was thinking about Jason Walker today: God’s sovereignty! This morning a student handed me a paper to fill out for one of his classes. Question #1: “Do you support capital punishment?” I hate that question. Like you, I have struggled with it all of my life. However, I put “yes” for the following reasons:
1. Acts 25:11 – Paul, in defending himself, stated that if he had done “anything worthy of death,” he would not refuse to die.
2. Rom. 13:4b – I think this verse clearly gives government the right use the death penalty.

Two other verses of some relevance to this topic are (1) Gen. 9:6 and (2) Matt. 26:52. Of course, many will not accept the OT passage as relevant. But Matt. 26:52 can easily be interpreted as Jesus telling Peter that those who kill with the sword will be judge by the sword (death).

I know… many will not accept these verses as biblical support for the death penalty. Of course, to deny them, ALL of them must be clarified in such a way that does not support capital punishment. Personally, I found this task too difficult. I wrote this because too often people think Christians are uncompassionate and not Christlike if they support CP. I am not bloodthirsty. I sincerely want all too live in peace, love, and unity; but I think there is a place for capital punishment. Thanks for the thoughtful post. It took courage to post it. And let’s be honest… a lot of people who support it, don’t have a clue why.

Grace and Peace to You,

Jared

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