I am truly sorry if I came across as though I think of myself as more knowledgable or holy than you. I am merely trying to explain my understanding of such things, and my written words fail me at times. Please forgive me.

I am not ignorning the message of the new testament, and I fully get that "mercy triumphs over judgement". But, come on...there are so many times that we are reminded that God's nature is not so simple. I don't at all see God as a war maker, but I think it's a step too far to consider him a pacifist. Perhaps you and I have different understandings of that word. The pacifists I know repudiate all use of force, no matter the justification. This does not fit the God of the bible, at least as far as I understand scripture. Jesus came to make a new covenant with his people, but God's fundamental nature did not change when Jesus came to earth. God's nature was made more fully known with the coming of Jesus and his Holy Spirit, but it did not change. The God that led his people into battle is the same God that advocated turning the other cheek. We have a hard time reconciling those seemingly contradictory portions of God's nature, but that is due to our lack of understanding, not wavering on his part.

Alas, sorry if I offended - I promise you that was not my intent.

-Brian