Whoa. Where do we start here? First of all, at best this proves that David was mad because Joab killed Abner during a time of peace. That does not mean that blood spilled during war is different but rather blood spilled during peace is different. Fischer takes the reality of what happened and flips it on its head. Either way however, none of this means that "things are permitted during war" that normally would not be. He just made that up. There is zero correlation established. Zero. Fischer continues down the rabbit hole he is digging:
Much criticism has been directed at our intelligence community in recent days over the issue of enhanced interrogation techniques, even though they are not life-threatening. The techniques used would make any ordinary human being squirm. In a time of peace they would be criminal acts. But when such techniques are used to protect innocent lives in a time of war, they are entirely justified.
This is a literary technique known as lying. First of all there were plenty of deaths as a result of the torture techniques employed and many of those who died were actually not guilty of anything other than being Middle Eastern. I want us all to take off our flag lapel pins for a minute and remember that we are first and foremost Christians. Our responsibility is to Christ and His Word. I want you to imagine standing before Jesus and explaining how you defended "rectal rehydration" or "rectal feeding." These are not "medical procedures" as has been reported but rather torture techniques that were used during the Spanish Inquisition and more recently by our country. They are used to bloat the intestines of the victim to cause excruciating pain. Others were made to stand on broken limbs. Death through hypothermia. All in the name of freedom but don't you dare try to say in the name of Jesus! Entirely justified? Are you serious? What God are you following? Who would Jesus rectal rehydrate? Really? It is disgusting that this has to be explained to someone who fancies himself a Christian. Yet his shamelessness was not done yet:
We know for a fact that every technique used was carefully reviewed by the Department of Justice and all were deemed to be permissible under American law. And we know that congressional leaders--including some who are today's loudest critics--were fully briefed on these methods and registered nary a complaint.
You mean the same American law that supports abortion? That law? This is the same Bryan Fischer that rails against abortion, which is also the law of the land. So why the hypocrisy? You cannot use the law as a convenient excuse if you readily admit that the law can be wrong as well. Remember the defense of the Nazis tried at Nuremberg was "following orders" and that was not allowed. For the record however, this excuse has nothing to do with the Bible either. Then again, nothing in this article does anyway.
No beloved, Bryan Fischer used the Bible to try and excuse the inexcusable. He would go on to use bloody examples from the Book of Judges of all things to finish his argument. Judges of course being one of the saddest times in the history of Israel where for 400 years the people continually did as they saw fit in their own eyes. Where every time God bailed them out they went right back to idolatry. Fischer gleefully tells the story of Jael driving a tent peg through a skull to actually try and make those who performed torture appear heroic. It would be comical if it were not so pathetic.
Yet people listen to Bryan Fischer within American Christianity and God help us for that. His brand of hatred is welcomed with open arms in churches across our country. I was not sure where to go for key verses today because there are simply so many. Blessed are the peacemakers. Those who live by the sword will die by it. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Live at peace with all. Let all know us by our love. All worthy Scriptures to remember but since it is Christmastime as well, I went to the Prophet Isaiah and his foretelling of the coming of Jesus Christ. To listen to Bryan Fischer it would read, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall conduct rendition in His name. And his name shall be called Wonderful Torturer, Mighty Tent Peg through the skull, Everlasting pain to all who oppose, Prince of War, covered in blood and holy advocate of rectal rehydration. That is not how the prophecy reads beloved. Not even close:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9: 6 (ESV)
He is a wonderful counselor and our Mighty God. Our Father everlasting and the Prince of Peace. Do you see that word Mr. Fischer? Peace. Because we were at war with God before the manger. We were headed for an eternity of torture that would make Gitmo seem like a Sandals Resort. But God sent His only Son; the Prince of Peace. He established peace once again between man and God. This inexpressible gift should fill our hearts with such joy that the thoughts of water-boarding and hypothermia should make us cringe; not feel elated. Unspeakable joy that should be able to see rectal rehydration for what it clearly is - torture. Not "enhanced interrogation." Good luck standing before Christ and explaining that. Maybe we can fool each other here on earth and convince ourselves that our sheer carnality is actually righteous and pious on some level but God will see right through us.
If we honestly think that Jesus Christ will understand and excuse torturing another human being as necessary or justified then we simply do not understand the Gospel and I fear we do not truly know the Prince of Peace.
Reverend Anthony Wade - December 17, 2014
