But it is still violent, therefore it is still conquering with violence.
Give a definition of a true Christian, if you are going to use it as a point for debate.
A true Christian is one who trusts in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior and His death on the cross as sufficient payment for their sins. They believe He rose again 3 days later, proving himself yet again to be the true and only Son of God.
What about violence in war? Exodus 20:13 had been incorrectly translated as “do not kill,” but it literally means “do not murder.” God has allowed for just wars throughout the history of His people. From Abraham to Deborah to David, God’s people have fought as instruments of judgment from a righteous and holy God. Romans 13:1-4 tells us to submit ourselves to government authorities and that nations have the right to bear the sword against evildoers, both foreign and domestic.
Violence occurs, but we must recognize the difference between holy judgment on sin and our own personal vendettas against those we dislike, which is the inevitable outcome of pride (Psalm 73:6). While men are more prone to accept violence (especially as cultures depict real men as those who never cry, always have a plan, and carry a gun), the wisest man of all time wrote, “Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways” (Proverbs 3:31). Prayer and patience beats violence and anger on any day.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-violence.html
The difference between this and when I was talking about Christ's message being nonviolent is that God has given you freedom to choose on your own of whether to follow Him or follow Satan. Your answer to God's offer of salvation is one that you are free to choose on your own. The Israelites were justified in their use of violence in war because it was for the purpose of God's justice being carried out for a specific period of time on specific places or cultures. Using violence to force you to accept Christ as your personal savior, however, is unacceptable means of spreading the gospel.
that doesn't change the fact that he "conquered" through violence
not to mention the fact that there is no excuse for killing...
God had every right to take the lives of those He destroyed. They were the ones who were without excuse. All of us have rebelled against Him and deserve His judgement- it's only through trusting in Christ that we are spared from this judgement. The Canaanites for example, were a wicked and perverted culture that were into cultic prostitution and child sacrifice by fire. God gave them over 400 years to repent of their wicked ways but they continued to reject Him again and again. He didn't have to show such grace to them, but He did, and they still refused his offer of forgiveness. Therefore He used the Israelites as a tool of judgement on them and completely destroyed their nation.
