Wednesday, August 06, 2008
-
Are War and Christianity Compatible?
from foxhound_hq
As a Christian, before I joined the military, I was concerned with the question of whether Christianity and warfare are ever compatible with each other. I knew about Biblical warfare, particularly during the history of Israel, and I believed there have been just causes for people and nations to fight for, such as the Allies in World War Two, the American Revolution, the Kuomintang in the 20th Century Chinese Civil War, etc. In spite of all of this, I wanted to know specifically what the Bible says about war.
Many are familiar with the commandment, "You shall not murder." Read closely - it says murder instead of kill. In the original Hebrew text, the word used to describe the act is the equivalent of murder and death by neglect, while there are separate words that exist to describe killing and death in combat. Some though believe it says, "You may not kill," interpreting the commandment to forbid killing another human regardless of the situation. The Old Testament and the history of Israel are full of war, conflict, bloodshed, etc. so that interpretation is refuted by actions that were not only not condemned, but were approved by the Lord as a just war.
Now let's skip to the New Testament. What did Jesus say about war and conflict? Did He not tell us to turn the other cheek? Please understand what he was talking about. At the time, if someone hit you on the cheek (I'd imagine a manner befitting the modern-day pimp), that person pretty much wanted to cause you trouble. The people He was speaking to interpreted the slap as an insult and a challenge. Many believed that one should return the slap out of spite and pride. The issue that Jesus was targeting was petty, needless fighting, pride and hatred. By turning the other cheek, you didn't stoop to their petty, juvenile level. Instead you should seek to solve the overall problem instead of adding to the needless hatred and violence.
Defending oneself from an attack was never condemned as some like to believe. This is proven through Jesus's actions and commands near the time of His capture. When He was going to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the Disciples to carry their swords in case they were attacked during the night. But when Peter cut off someone's ear in the effort to protect Jesus, he was repremanded by Jesus. Why? Because Peter was not defending himself or the others from attack, like what Jesus commanded him to do, but attacking out of a sense of pride and loyalty towards his rabbi.
Now we come to the issue of whether or not governments have the right to declare war. Look at this passage from Romans regarding governmental authority-
"For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience." ~Romans 13:4-5
This is the ideal picture of government. But if this is the case, then are governments that fight in unjust wars and commit atrocities justified because they are the ruling authorties? No. In Christianity, there is the concept of stewardship. This can be summed up as the belief that everything one has or recieves, from possessions, talents and abilities to positions of power, are blessed to them by the Lord, and that he or she is a caretaker of said thing. Whether or not we use it for good or evil is our decision. The Lord intends for positions of power to be used for good, but if used for evil, whoever holds said position is sinful because of said evil. Leaders, both civilian and military, regardless if they are dictators, kings, queens, presidents, senators, emperors, generals, captains, etc., must use what authority they have for good.
I hope this has been helpful in providing good insight into the issue of Christ, Christians, and war.
What is your stance on war? When is it necessary?
-
recommend
- recs 3
- give stars
- votes 2
-
share
-
email
- sent 0
Post a Comment
- Back to revelife's Revelife Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in revelife's local time zone: GMT -05:00 (Eastern Standard - US, Canada)
Comments (64)
In the case of defense, I think war can be justified. However, I would have a very hard time condoning preemptive attacks, starting wars because a country is not "acting in your interest", or fighting wars against third world countries that pose no real threat to you (which generally seems to be the case today). Generally, most wars could have been avoided. In my opinion, the wars in Iraq, Vietnam, Korea should never had happened. Also, I would also say that the American Civil War (or perhaps the more appropriate title is the War between the States) and World War I could have been avoided as well (and if WWI never happened, Germany wouldn't have suffered as it did, which in turn created a situation that helped Hitler rise to power).
Although slavery wasn't the only issue regarding the Civil War, I think most everyone would say that it played a role. Here's an interesting article comparing how the U.S. ended slavery with the manner in which other countries ended this horrible practice. Also, with WWI, if it was not for so many countries having alliances with one another, what started as an assassination would have most likely just resulted in a war between two countries, rather than the fiasco it became.
Personally, the only time I think war is justified, is when fighting people off of your own land. i.e., if we were invaded by Canada, we would have all rights to kill them. But it's never okay to go on the offensive onto other people's property.
But I don't really have a Biblical basis for that. Instead, I have a philosophical/ethical basis for it.
I believe war is absolutely justified and is sometimes God's will, even though it is obviously a product of a fallen world. Some things cannot be tolerated, and war is the only way to eradicate them. I believe defense and preemptive attacks are both the right thing in some situations.
In the Bible, God helped His people fight wars, and I believe He still does today. The six day war in Israel comes to mind.
Thank you for your military service. I believe God will bless you for your sacrifices for your country.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - I get that! Too True..But..what about China,Burma etc? What do we do when so many of them think US is the answer? I have friends in China & they think if Only America would come & help....India too...
Just wondering on your thoughts bc I get what you said but I also think about them.
i'm often torn on this issue... i think war is mostly the product of a fallen world, although some wars are justified. but i think it's very very dangerous to think that we, as humans, have the wisdom and authority to declare wars. i dunno.. like i said, i'm torn.
but great post.
@Made2sing4Jesus@xanga - If we actually go in to help the populace against a tyrannical government, AND they WANT us there (specifically ask for our help) AND we're not involuntarily taxing our populace to do it, AND we don't kill civilians while we're there, then yeah, that'd be acceptable.
But notice that these conditions are never met, particularly the taxation part.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - Good Thoughts & true,but I wonder how they would feel if we said..sorry can't help we will get taxed... I am not trying to sound rude,I know you can hear my thoughts & be a sound board....,I guess I am just frustrated with ppl who hate this war
?) But I hear stories from soldiers & how the ppl Thank them & praise them for coming every day & how much better life is there,... the right thing to do is sacrifice& that takes selflessness,...
(I mean who likes war
So I know that sometimes war is the right thing to do...
I am called by Christ to be creatively non-violent. Therefore, I cannot support war. War is one of the worst manifestations of the myth of redemptive violence. Violence begets more violence; the only way to stop the cycle of hate is with Love.
@Made2sing4Jesus@xanga - I agree with you.
@Made2sing4Jesus@xanga - Well, I really don't believe in taxes (and thus government), but that's a much more detailed discussion. I can explain sometime if you'd like, but for now, let me suffice to say that I don't think it's ethically justifiable to do a bad thing just for the "greater good" or whatever.
And, from what I hear/read, the war isn't quite going as well as you say. But then, no one really knows, not even the footsoldiers.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - so true.
@thechris38@xanga - i read that article the other day - pretty interesting stuff! :)
personally i feel there are a lot of conditions that need to be met before a war is "okay." Like war declared by a proper (constitutional) authority. War with a just cause (such as: an actual army invading our country. and definitely NOT including punishing unjust nations...) war with right intention, war as the only way to right the wrong, and with reasonable hope of success. If any of those criterion are missing I really can't in good conscience support it.
obviously no one will ever completely agree on this issue but those are my two cents...
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - that would be interesting you should post about it. I would like you to include how you propose how we would have roads, firefighters etc. etc.. without them. Looking forward to new ideas....
- Ever seen Maggie O shay on Mash? I saw & heard a real one.. her thoughts ran that the war there was doing good... but I guess time only tells.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - oh good, i just read your note and realized you said something that i totally forgot. it isn't right to do something wrong just for the greater good. great point.
@Made2sing4Jesus@xanga - I might try posting about it, but really, it's hard to encompass an entire political philosophy in a couple of pages. Instead, I can make some reading recommendations (which you're free to discuss with me!) if you're interested:
I would start with freedomainradio.com. There are forums, videos, and free books online.
@la_faerie_joyeuse@xanga - Thanks,Nice Chatting..TTYS
@rachelserine@xanga - Just wondering about if you read what I said...what if they really wanted our help?I just LOOK at a BIG Picture... I think I don't consider all wars bad bc of the Good in the end. Think about this country, Britain would have never let go of us & we would never had our freedom.. Just clarifying how you understand "greater good"... when its personal.. =)
Anybody that thinks Christianity should be about pacafism (sp?) should take a second glance. When Christ returns He will come with a sword in hand. However, not every war is justified and in many cases are crimes against humanity. I won't say anything about the big pink elephant in the room, but sometimes it's hard to know wether war is okay wthout the historical look back. It's easy to justify the revolutionary war now and condemn the Crimean war, but without God's perspective it is impossible to know at the time or just few short years after it happened.
War sucks, but in a way it's very necessary...
I think the Christian "Crusades" answers this question completely.
Take that however you want to.
This issue has been along one in my own mind... I have struggled with this longer than the issue of women in ministry (or equality of men and women). However, after much thought I do not think scripture condones war. God does use war in the Old Testament, however, these are wars directly commanded by God - I do not think God calls us too this today. Primarily I say this because of Jesus' calling to love our enemies (and Jesus being the ultimate revelation of God too humanity!).
See: Matthew 5:43-48; Phillipians 5:5-11
I think Jesus calls us too obedience, servant-hood, and sacrifice. That may seem like bold words, ones I might not be able to follow myself.. but not to try, too just agree and say war is ok, so that I can put off my responsability and my fear of what God cay call me too do - would be wrong, and according to James 4:17 - might even be a sin in itself.
I also highly recommend getting a hold (buy or just borrow from a library if you can) of this book: "The Powers that Be" by: Walter Wink. It talks about oppression and domination - war is defintly linked in those. Our call as Christians should be too go to these places with food, not guns (sacrificing ourselves if necessary as Christians - not Americans). That may sound utopian, or might make one think we(Christians) are crazy - but people thought Jesus was a little crazy and rebellions too...
i thing it's interesting that you didn't mention spiritual warfare at all. it's easy to things of "war" in terms of current events in Iraq and Afghanistan, but aren't we at war with the devil every single day of our lives? how do we deal with any type of evil that we encounter on a daily basis? do we wait for it to strike before taking action? or do we constantly seek God in his Word and through prayer in order to prevent our hearts from being contaminated by the sins of human nature? in this same way, the elected leaders of this country (USA) have decided that the best way to keep Americans secure is to actively pursue, through war if necessary, those who are seeking ways to threaten our safety. their actions, whether we like it or not, result from the people who voted for them (100%, or even just 51% majority), and if we disapprove of their actions, well, we just won't elect them into office next time.
This is an absolutely brilliant summary. Well done.
The Bible is full of wars, so if you're using that as your guide, obviously war is kosher (pardon the usage). Unfortunately, far too many wars have been fought in the name of the deity of choice, including the current US/Iraq conflict... from both sides, as Bush claims to make his decisions after having God speak to him.
@Made2sing4Jesus@xanga - yes, i did read your note and i appreciate your thought! i am definitely with la_faerie though - i don't agree with "the end justifies the means..." and if you read above i did state conditions where i could support a war. rec. reading: when god says war is right by darrell cole. don't completely agree with everything in it, but a great starter book broadly covering this issue quite well. by it's criterion the war we are in is definitely unncessary and christians should think twice before supporting it. addressing the issues of government in general, taxes specifically and wars/the revolution would take ages which i don't have right now. :)