Reflecting on a recent discussion, I wondered if there was a connection between free will and not wanting to take a life (pacifism). Carrying Arminian theology to a logical end, you would not want to kill anyone because you might be sending them to Hell before they heard the Gospel. A Calvinist could be confident that if he was the means of sending someone to Hell that person had no chance of salvation anyway because he had been passed over by God. Why should be careful to not take life for personal gain or carelessness? Because that is what is taught in the Bible. We need not add reasons. God commands are enough. We should fear God and not the consequences of our actions.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 ESV)
The destruction of the soul is something which God claims for himself. We need to fear offending God by taking a life in a way he forbid and not fear condemning someone to hell. It continues to amaze me how theology affect our actions and outlook.
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