A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON WAR
Years ago, when I was in the military stationed in Great Britain, a zealous European accused me of being a hypocrite. He said, “How can you call yourself a Christian and serve in the U.S. Military?” (The implication was that Christians are to be peace-loving and passive, while the military exists for the sole purpose of war) I was young and easily confused - not to mention embarrassed because this happened in front of a small crowd. I didn’t know how to answer his question. And thinking I was a hypocrite wasn’t a very good feeling.
Fortunately, an English minister came to my rescue. He referred to a passage in the Gospel of Luke when two soldiers asked John the Baptist what was required of them in order to be right with the Lord. John answered, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely--be content with your pay." (Luke 3:14 NIV) Notice what John didn’t say. He didn’t say, “Find a new career.” He simply emphasized the need to be just and fair.
THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
After the shocking events that rocked our Nation September 11, 2001, I found myself feeling like a hypocrite once again. Although I have been out of the military for quite some time, I’m still a Christian. And I’m very mindful of the Scriptures that command us to “Love our enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Luke 6:27-29 NIV) Quite honestly, I don’t feel like turning the other cheek! I don’t feel like loving my enemies and doing good to these people who have hurt our Nation so bad. But I am a Christian. And I keep hearing the words of Jesus as he asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord.” and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) The Bible goes on to say, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18 NIV)
Many Christians have studied these Scripture and concluded that war is never permissible. They would be considered conscientious objectors if drafted - not out of fear of dying for their country, but out of fear of God. Much of the persecution of Christians when the church began is attributed to Christians refusing to fight for the Roman Empire. As Emperor Septimius Severus tried to build up his military might in 200 A.D., the churches were preaching that Christians should not bare arms. Why? Because Christians were to live at peace with everyone… as far as it was dependent on them… if possible.
JUSTICE
It wasn’t until St. Augustine addressed the subject around 400 A.D. that Christians realized, sometimes the way to peace required taking the road to war. Augustine said, “Peace is not sought in order to provide war, but war is waged in order to attain peace.” And with that, Augustine began laying the foundation for what we know today as the principles for Just War, which states:
1. JUST WAR can only be waged by legitimate authorities.
2. JUST WAR must exhaust all non-violent options first.
3. JUST WAR must have a reasonable chance to succeed.
4. JUST WAR must be fought with right intentions.
5. JUST WAR must discriminate between combative enemies and non-combative civilians (Death of civilians are considered justifiable only if unavoidable).
6. JUST WAR’s ultimate goal should be to re-establish peace.
Augustine’s rationale for war was nothing new. It was simply an elaboration of what the Bible had said all along… and what Christians had missed for 400 years. Romans 13:3-4 says, “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. ... 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.” Our rulers are God’s servants (agents of wrath) who have a responsibility to punish wrongdoers. Not only do our rulers have a responsibility to administer justice, everyone who calls themselves “Christian” has a responsibility to be just. Micah 6:8 asks, “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly…“ It is our rulers’ responsibility to administer justice. And it is our responsibility to support our leaders as they carry out their responsibility. It would be unjust and immoral of me to not support our leaders as they carry out this God-given duty. It would be unjust and immoral of me stand by and do nothing as innocent lives are attacked. I can turn my cheek when someone strikes at me. But I can not turn my cheek when someone strikes the innocent.
But Romans 12:17 cautions us, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody (what is just)… Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
It’s important to understand that justice is not revenge. Principle #4 of the JUST WAR theory states, “JUST WAR must be fought with right intentions.” What is our intent? Revenge? Or peace? To kill? Or to save? Our goal must be to stop our enemies - not destroy them. However, if the only way to stop them is by destroying them, then we must do so. The Lord requires justice.
MERCY
But the Lord also requires mercy. (Micah 6:8)
It thrills my soul to see how Americans have pulled together, offering transportation and housing, giving blood, time, and money. (It’s a shame it has taken a tragedy to make this happen) But it scares me how much hate I hear from my fellow Americans… the desire to blow up the whole Middle East… the attacks on Arabs and Muslims here in the United States. Has it occurred to anybody that many of these people are in America to escape the injustice of their homeland?
Hebrews 12:15 in the Living Bible says, “Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” In our war against evil, it is so important that we don’t become evil. God says in Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Ephesians 4:31 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Is it possible to balance our desire for justice with our need for mercy? Here lies the problem. People strive for one, and neglect the other. We need both, or else bitterness will take root inside us and we will kill ourselves. We will become the very thing we are trying to destroy. We must love our enemy… pray for our enemy… forgive our enemy. We must “be merciful, just as our Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36 NIV)
HUMILITY
One last thing. The Lord also requires humility. (Micah 6:8)
Illustrate: I heard of a little boy that was being read to by his father. In the book were pictures - and the father would often stop and point out the pictures and ask his son, "Luke, who made these trees?"
The little toddler would say, "Luke did!"
"No" said his daddy with a laugh, "God did"
"Luke, who made these mountains?"
"Luke did!"
"No" said his daddy, "God did"
"Luke, who made these flowers?"
"Luke did!"
"No" said his daddy, "God did"
The next morning - Luke had spilt his milk at the breakfast table. His Daddy walked in and immediately asked, "Who made this mess?"
"God did!"
Isn’t it like us to take all the credit for the good things in life... and blame God for all the bad?
This tragedy that has devasted our nation... Did God cause this to happen? In 1 Kings 11:14, the Bible tells us that God raised up an adversary against Solomon... because Solomon had done evil in the eyes of the Lord. Isaiah 8 tells us how God raised up the Assyrians against Israel... His chosen people!!! because they had turned their backs on God.
Did God allow this tragedy? Did He cause this tragedy? I don’t know the answer. But I do know He has my attention.
Principle #3 of the JUST WAR theory states, “…we must have a reasonable chance to succeed.” Do we? We’re America! We are a great superpower! We’re #1! Right? Romans 8:12 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And God is for us! Right? Romans 8:12 says, “If… God is for us, who can be against us?” I believe that if God is for us, we will be victorious. But if God is against us, we don’t stand a chance. Billy Graham once said “If God does not punish America for all it’s sins - He owes Sodom & Gomorrah an apology.”
James Davison Hunter adds, “We Americans generally want to think of ourselves as good people. That, in many respects, is where the trouble begins.” Remember, God saves the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. (Psalm 18:27) Will we fight this fight with our own grit and determination? Or will we trust in the Lord? Will we be led by the Lord? Will we wait upon the Lord? This tragic week has forced our Nation to fall on our knees before God. There have been prayer services and vigils all across our land. I, for one, hope that we do not get up off our knees to quickly. For it is when our Nation turns to God that we are at our best.
So… What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NIV)
Pete Baumgartle,
First Capital Christian Church,
Corydon, Indiana
heypastorpete@hotmail.com
