In the Fall of 1938, as war was again threatening Europe, Irving Berlin decided to write a song emphasizing peace. Pulling a little known composition off the shelf, that he had written twenty years earlier, he made a few alterations to reflect the current state of the world. Then, on Armistice Day of that same year, Kate Smith sang it on her radio program for the very first time. “God bless America, land that I love! Stand beside her, and guide her, thru the night with a light from above. From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home!”
God bless America. A song we sing and a petition we offer. And especially so in light of recent events. Since Sept. 11th, Christians have been pleading with God to bless this nation; and national leaders seem to be doing the same thing, every chance they get. There have been national days of mourning and prayer, numerous special religious events – often televised live, and memorial services in nearly every community. And every one ends with the plea that God would bless our nation. Add to those all of the patriotic symbols that we see these days, often mixed with Christian symbols, and the patriotic songs that have been sung in churches and the hymns sung out of churches, and we can’t help but believe that God is on our side and He will bless this nation. We’re sure of that, you see, because WE KNOW that He’s NOT on their side. God would never, and could never approve of what these spiritually deceived fanatics have done. So we don’t have anything to worry about. God will give us victory over our enemies because God is on our side. Crosses draped with American flags assure us that that’s true. Don’t they?
Well, that’s what I want to talk with you about this morning. Is God on our side, in this conflict that’s been characterized as a battle between good and ? And can we expect Him to respond favorably to every request for comfort, support, strength, guidance, and victory?
In order to find an answer to these questions we need to consider three things: First, what the Bible has to say about war and peace; next, what church tradition has to say about a “Just War;” and finally, from the Bible again, what God expects of anyone and everyone who’s side He will take. Combine these, and we should come away ready to base our own ideas and our own personal philosophies on Scripture, rather then on patriotic enthusiasm or secular opinion.
First, what will we find here in this book that will help us determine whether God is on our side? What does God’s Word have to say about war and peace and our involvement in one or the other?
Well, the first thing we’ll find is that historically war is an unfortunate fact of life. The Old Testament is filled with the accounts of war. Holy wars were even led by God Himself against nations who worshipped other gods. At His command Israel’s enemies were to be totally destroyed; men, women, children, and livestock. And, since God commanded war, we might wonder if He wouldn’t do the same thing today, considering the situation that we’re faced with.
As we move on in the Scriptures, and after the conquest of their land, Israel quickly discovered the need to defend herself. Foreign armies tried to take back what God’s people believed He had given to them, and so they went back to war to defend themselves. But again, they weren’t alone. God went before them to bring about their victory over those who tried to destroy them. Considering all of this then, God seems to at least approve of His people’s need to defend themselves.
Now someone might rightly claim that this was all in the Old Testament, but since then things have changed; not the least of which has been the coming of Jesus into the world, the Prince of Peace, who tried to help us learn to interact in a different way. “Love your enemies,” he said, “do good to those who 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) Further on, reading in Paul’s letters, we find, “Do not repay anyone for . Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.” (Romans 12:17-19) And also, “Do not be overcome by , but overcome with good.” (Romans 12:21)
James seems to agree with these sentiments, identifying the starting point for war as something Christians should have been freed from. “What causes fights and quarrels among you?” he asks. “Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:1-2)
Many Christians have studied these Scriptures and concluded that war is never permissible. It’s obvious, they’ll say, that God Himself has commanded us to set such activities aside, along with the rest of our ‘old nature,’ and learn to live in new ways with one another. Those who hold such a view would be called pacifists. They believe that the warfare of the Old Testament was only a concession to the people’s hardness of heart. But in Christ, they say, we are freed from this to follow God’s ideals.
Some other things that Jesus said are also interpreted quite literally. In Matthew 5, beginning in verse 38 he told his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” And then in verses 43 & 44 he says, “you have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Finally, for the pacifist, Jesus own on the cross, as an victim, is to be the pattern for Christian behavior today. When we’re attacked, they’ll say, we’re to stand aside and accept whatever injustice may come our way. John Jefferson Davis talks about these beliefs in his book Evangelical Ethics. He says, “If one finds oneself in a situation in which it seems impossible to preserve both the values of justice and of nonviolence, then one chooses nonviolence, even at the price of allowing great injustices to be perpetrated upon oneself and third parties.”
Now what could be wrong with all of these teachings? My response? Nothing. It’s not the teachings that are at fault; it’s our interpretation that needs to be reconsidered. The Bible, you see, is not always meant to be interpreted quite so literally. In this case, Jesus is using a form of speech called hyperbole. He is deliberately exaggerating his statements in order to capture the listener’s attention and drive home a point. After all, he had just said that a ful hand was to be cut off and a ful eye gouged out. But surely he didn’t mean that we were to do so literally. Instead, he was trying to get the listener’s attention and drive home a serious point.
And what about Paul’s words? Well, let’s not be too quick to dismiss them. His words should govern our relationships with one another. But, he’s mainly warning us not to go out and constantly be looking for revenge ourselves against our enemies. God will judge and God will secure justice. That’s His prerogative, and that’s His promise. What about overcoming with good? Well, that can certainly be done is some situations. But we would not be loving our neighbor if we stood back and allowed them to be harmed when we could have helped.
When trying to understand Jesus and Paul on this subject we need to hear two things: First, they do encourage us at times, to personally and individually accept persecution and injustice. At times that’s just the way things have to be. But we’ll also find examples when both of them stand up and challenge those who are out to cause harm. And by doing so they strate to us that no one is meant by God to be a “doormat” upon which others can wipe their feet.
A couple of other problems arise with the pacifist tradition. First, while Jesus on the cross was the unjust of an victim, it was also the result of God’s righteousness and His requirements for justice. It had to happen. Secondly, Jesus was a one time, once for all, unique, and unrepeatable event. And it is not to always be the for our dealing with injustice in our own world. We simply cannot do what Jesus did. Finally, we must not confuse private and public responsibilities. We may choose to suffer individually and privately ourselves, and sometimes this will be our most powerful witness. But because of God’s command that we love one another, we must not stand idly by and allow others to suffer when we can do something to help.
There are many things to be challenged about the pacifist position, I believe. But there are some things to learn as well. Davis concludes his section on pacifist belief by saying, “the pacifist tradition does express the genuine biblical desire for a world of peace, and it challenges a world all to often given to the violent solution of it’s problems.”
Now the question again: Can God be on the side of those who choose war instead of peace? Some would say no, never. But I hope you see that that’s not always going to be the case. If we’re faced with an enemy who’s bent only on and destruction, then the only way to peace may very well be war. And it’s at that time that we need to heed Paul’s words to the Romans. In 13:3-4 he says, “rulers hold no for those who do right, but for those who do wrong… if you do wrong,” he says, “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.” (Romans 13:3-4)
So okay, in this world it seems that sometimes conflict will be inevitable, if not actually required. Does that give us free reign to immediately slaughter the “bad guys” with little attention given to how it’s done? It has been that way at times. It probably still is in some places in the world. But no, for those who strive for peace, for those who truly war, there must be some rules to govern us when the time for war actually comes. If God is going to approve of such a thing, then there must be some way in which He would have us go about it, lest we give way to our “old nature.” And, interestingly enough, such rules have been developed, by leaders within the Christian church. Those rules are known as “Just War Theory,” and they were initially defined by St. Augustine, around 400 A.D. He said, “Peace is not sought in order to provide war, but war is waged in order to attain peace.” And the way such a war is to be waged is like this:
1) A JUST WAR must have a just cause. War is only permissible when it is done to resist aggression and to defend victims.
2) A JUST WAR must have a just intent. Securing justice is the only acceptable motive.
3) A JUST WAR must be a last resort. All other opportunities for resolution should have been rejected or have failed.
4) A JUST WAR must have legitimate authority. In America’s case, approval by Congress is necessary.
5) A JUST WAR must have limited, or achievable, goals. Annihilation of an enemy or total destruction of a civilization is not acceptable.
6) A JUST WAR must be proportional to its objectives. The good attained should justify the cost in lives and injuries.
7) And finally, a JUST WAR must provide noncombatants with immunity. War should not be targeted at civilians and should seek to minimize inadvertent civilian causalities.
Now where does the Biblical support for “Just War Theory” come from? Well, it’s drawn more from inferences in the New Testament then from any direct statements. For instance, in Hebrews 11:32-34 we read, “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” (Hebrews 11:32-34) The exploits of these military leaders are seen as expressions of faith, rather then of their hardened hearts. And the use of armed force was not considered to be inconsistent with Christian faith.
Also, in Luke 3:14, John the Baptist is asked by some soldiers, who stood nearby watching his baptisms and listening to his words, what they should do in response. “He replied, Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely. Be content with your pay.” That’s what he told them. He didn’t say they needed to leave the military, only that they needed to act justly in their service.
Now as opposed to the pacifist position, those who uphold the theories of a just war believe that the enforcement of justice has a higher priority then non-violence when the two conflict. Pope John Paul II seemed to agree at one time when he said, “However paradoxical it may appear, the person who deeply desires peace rejects any kind of pacifism which is cowardice or the simple preservation of tranquility. In fact those who are tempted to impose their tion will always encounter the resistance of intelligent and courageous men and women, prepared to defend freedom in order to promote justice.”
Now the one problem that must be addressed in all of this is how can Jesus’ command to love our enemies be reconciled with our use of ly force against them? One answer seems to be found in the nature of God, Himself. In Him both love and justice co-exist and find their balance. One cannot be separated from the other because without justice, love is little more then sentimentality. And to really love someone may very well mean enforcing justice and bringing them to account for their sin.
Now again, the question: Is God on our side? As I said before, I don’t believe there is any way that He can be on the other side. A case can easily be made showing that the ists broke every rule related to a “just war.” They are the aggressors and their intent is to kill rather then defend victims. Their motives are for personal gain, not justice. has been their first and only plan, rather then a last resort. They have no legitimate authority supporting them. Their goal to annihilate their enemy and bring down civilization is not acceptable. Their tactics are beyond all proportion, and their targets are civilians.
But what about us? Have we met the criteria for a “just war?” I believe we have, and we will as time goes on. We have a just cause, to resist aggression. We have a just intent, to secure justice for those who have been ed. This is our last resort; conversations with these fanatics have never been successful. We have a legitimate authority, Congress and most of the world support action against them. We have limited and achievable goals, to punish mass ers. The good gained for the world as a whole will be worth the cost, and civilians will not be the intentional targets.
Considering all of this then, is God on our side? If the Scriptures, with qualifications, support what we’re planning to do, and if we meet (as best we can) the requirements for a “just war,” does that secure God’s help and support? Well, maybe. But then again, maybe not. And why I say that should quickly become apparent as we consider two last Scriptures that lay out for us an absolute requirement that we’ll need to meet BEFORE God will take our side. That requirement is found in the passage we’ve already read from Micah 6:6-8. Let me read verse 8 one more time. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” And this passage simply amplifies another popular verse that we’ve heard these days found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. There we’re told, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Can you hear the requirements? Can you hear what each one of us, along with our elected leaders and our military leaders need to do before we can claim the Lord God as our ally? It’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Justice. Mercy. Humility. A heart seeking after God. And a repentant attitude. Combine these, and exhibit them in our words and our actions, and there isn’t any foe that can stand against us. But go to war energized by patriotic fervor and national pride, and there isn’t any foe that can’t defeat us. Don’t believe that we can lose this battle because we’re so big and strong and righteous in our own eyes? Well I would call your attention to how quickly the Soviet Union fell and how quickly the Berlin Wall was torn down a decade ago. And I would also call your attention to the godless nations in the Bible who decimated Israel and carried God’s own people into captivity.
“Pride goes before destruction,” we learn in Proverbs 13:10, and that certainly seems to be an attitude that’s sweeping our nation today as we place our trust in our wealth and our strength. And what about this warning from the Psalms. There we read, “A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.” (Psalm 33:17) A horse then, an aircraft carrier and its battle group today. We may place confidence in our military might, but I don’t think God is too impressed. What He’s looking for instead are people whose hearts turn toward Him and whose faith is founded only in Him.
Now don’t get me wrong. Patriotism and love for our nation and pride in who God has enabled us to become is to be encouraged. But “unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (Psalm 127:1)
Humble ourselves and repent. That’s the key to success. Trust publicly and vocally in the Lord our God and walk with Him every day. That’s what we’ll need to do if God is to be on our side.
There’s a painting entitled “Peace”. It depicts waves crashing against the jagged rocks of some unknown coastline. It portrays the of a crushing storm. It seems to be anything but peaceful. But down in the corner, tucked away in the rocks, is a little bird sitting on her nest, totally oblivious to the raging storm around her. That is peace.
In these dangerous and troubled times there is a place of peace available to us. Tucked away, beneath the cross of Jesus, we can find security and comfort in the midst of a world, which lacks both. And with our eyes turned upward we must remember that a day will eventually come when a perfectly just war will be fought. And it will be the last.
A rider on a white horse whose name is Faithful and True will wage war against the injustice of the nations. We know him as the Word of God, the king of kings and lord of lords. His people will ride at his side and in one final battle will be destroyed and the world will be reborn.
Those who have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord will find that peace, and experience that victory.
