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Should Christians Fight War ? Part 1
Our country is once again engaged in war. As always there are those who oppose war and those who support war. Where are we to be as Christians? Is there one and only one position that we must adopt? It has been said that ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’. Do we consider ourselves the “good men”? Do we have a civic, moral or even a Christian duty in such matters? Are Christians obligated to protect innocents from evil? What are our limits and guidelines regarding war and fighting? Let us examine these questions.
Christians often disagree about war. Some Christians believe that war is permissible provided it follows the rules of a just war. Other Christians adopt a pacifistic position, believing that violence is never right and that war is always wrong. How do we justify this? How can two Christians read the same Bible and come up with two diametrically opposed positions? Let’s begin by looking at some of the presuppositions for these arguments.
First, let us examine the position of pacifism and non-violence. This conclusion can only be arrived at by selecting the verses that deal with peace and ignoring the rest of the Bible. There is also a problem with the total definition of Jesus Christ. A reading of Revelation 19:11-21 will explain this. While peace on earth is a message and a future reality, is not a total Biblical picture of the subject of war, peace or Christian responsibility for today. A nation following the way of total pacifism would be a short-lived nation today. Drug lords, terrorists or another criminal elements would overrun it. A pacifist would idly sit by and allow tyrants to terrorize people. An example of this would be Adolf Hitler or the present day regime of terror that has been brought down in Iraq.
In our present world, strict nonviolence is irresponsible and ineffective. Christianity is more than a simple set of laws, but rather a personal relationship with a God that requires us to be discerning about what actions should be taken in each situation. One must recognize that society is always at war physically and spiritually. The use of violence and physical force is absolutely necessary in the form of police and other officials just to maintain order. The acts of just war are as acceptable provided that the motives behind them, over which a Christian always has control, are Godly. Romans chapters 13 & 14 deal with government, its’ purpose and its’ relationship to lawbreakers.
In the 13th century Thomas Aquinas drew up the Just War (justified war) principle. He thought that although war and killing were horrible things there were times when it was reasonable to fight. These were his conditions:
1.
1.It must be started by the proper rulers of the country.
(i.e.: to preserve freedom)
Unless we have been to a country that does not have freedom, it is difficult for us to understand how it is to live in oppression. Your freedom was purchased at great courage and price by someone else.
2.
2.The reasons for going to war must be good (just) and have the right intention. The war must have the intention of establishing a good or correcting an evil.
(i.e.: to stop the spread of evil)
Civil armies and authorities are not a threat to those who do not break the law. Paul said in Romans:
Romans 14:3-4 “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 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.”
There is a reason that we have police and military officials. There IS evil in this world. We must defend ourselves against it.
Jeremiah 17:9 say “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Man was born in sin. We are wicked and evil without Christ’s salvation.
3.
3.It must be as a last resort.
(i.e.: all alternatives have been tried)
War must never be our first response, but must never be excluded as an alternative. We must try to reason with wisdom. But some evil people cannot be reasoned with. They are operating on a different set of morals and values and have to be dealt with differently.
Proverbs 12:15. “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 14:16 “A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.”
4.
4.No more force than necessary should be used and civilians must be protected. The just purpose must be maintained during the hostilities
(i.e.: must defend and protect the innocent people)
Force is necessary, but it must be tempered with wisdom. We must protect innocent women and children. We must protect the resources of the land when possible. We must give charity when possible.
1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
5.
5.It must be waged by acceptable means.
This means that we should only use the force necessary to accomplish the goals. It would be wrong to obliterate the whole country for the evils of a few.
6.
6.Victory must be assured.
Fighting a war in such a manner that is does not achieve it’s desired goals creates more problems for the innocents than it resolves. It sends a signal to others of a lawless mindset, that continuing in their ways will continue to be both possible and profitable for them.
7.
7.War must be aimed at a just peace.
All war must have peace as a goal.
http://www.christianarsenal.com/Christian_Arsenal/AP_War.html
Our country is once again engaged in war. As always there are those who oppose war and those who support war. Where are we to be as Christians? Is there one and only one position that we must adopt? It has been said that ‘All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing’. Do we consider ourselves the “good men”? Do we have a civic, moral or even a Christian duty in such matters? Are Christians obligated to protect innocents from evil? What are our limits and guidelines regarding war and fighting? Let us examine these questions.
Christians often disagree about war. Some Christians believe that war is permissible provided it follows the rules of a just war. Other Christians adopt a pacifistic position, believing that violence is never right and that war is always wrong. How do we justify this? How can two Christians read the same Bible and come up with two diametrically opposed positions? Let’s begin by looking at some of the presuppositions for these arguments.
First, let us examine the position of pacifism and non-violence. This conclusion can only be arrived at by selecting the verses that deal with peace and ignoring the rest of the Bible. There is also a problem with the total definition of Jesus Christ. A reading of Revelation 19:11-21 will explain this. While peace on earth is a message and a future reality, is not a total Biblical picture of the subject of war, peace or Christian responsibility for today. A nation following the way of total pacifism would be a short-lived nation today. Drug lords, terrorists or another criminal elements would overrun it. A pacifist would idly sit by and allow tyrants to terrorize people. An example of this would be Adolf Hitler or the present day regime of terror that has been brought down in Iraq.
In our present world, strict nonviolence is irresponsible and ineffective. Christianity is more than a simple set of laws, but rather a personal relationship with a God that requires us to be discerning about what actions should be taken in each situation. One must recognize that society is always at war physically and spiritually. The use of violence and physical force is absolutely necessary in the form of police and other officials just to maintain order. The acts of just war are as acceptable provided that the motives behind them, over which a Christian always has control, are Godly. Romans chapters 13 & 14 deal with government, its’ purpose and its’ relationship to lawbreakers.
In the 13th century Thomas Aquinas drew up the Just War (justified war) principle. He thought that although war and killing were horrible things there were times when it was reasonable to fight. These were his conditions:
1.
1.It must be started by the proper rulers of the country.
(i.e.: to preserve freedom)
Unless we have been to a country that does not have freedom, it is difficult for us to understand how it is to live in oppression. Your freedom was purchased at great courage and price by someone else.
2.
2.The reasons for going to war must be good (just) and have the right intention. The war must have the intention of establishing a good or correcting an evil.
(i.e.: to stop the spread of evil)
Civil armies and authorities are not a threat to those who do not break the law. Paul said in Romans:
Romans 14:3-4 “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 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.”
There is a reason that we have police and military officials. There IS evil in this world. We must defend ourselves against it.
Jeremiah 17:9 say “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Man was born in sin. We are wicked and evil without Christ’s salvation.
3.
3.It must be as a last resort.
(i.e.: all alternatives have been tried)
War must never be our first response, but must never be excluded as an alternative. We must try to reason with wisdom. But some evil people cannot be reasoned with. They are operating on a different set of morals and values and have to be dealt with differently.
Proverbs 12:15. “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Proverbs 14:16 “A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.”
4.
4.No more force than necessary should be used and civilians must be protected. The just purpose must be maintained during the hostilities
(i.e.: must defend and protect the innocent people)
Force is necessary, but it must be tempered with wisdom. We must protect innocent women and children. We must protect the resources of the land when possible. We must give charity when possible.
1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
5.
5.It must be waged by acceptable means.
This means that we should only use the force necessary to accomplish the goals. It would be wrong to obliterate the whole country for the evils of a few.
6.
6.Victory must be assured.
Fighting a war in such a manner that is does not achieve it’s desired goals creates more problems for the innocents than it resolves. It sends a signal to others of a lawless mindset, that continuing in their ways will continue to be both possible and profitable for them.
7.
7.War must be aimed at a just peace.
All war must have peace as a goal.
http://www.christianarsenal.com/Christian_Arsenal/AP_War.html
