As nation would rise against nation we see that since the beginning men have been at war with each other, fighting and killing for a cause that they believe is truly justified. Men are then killing and in so doing sealing the eternal fate of those that die. This thought alone is something then that would make the consideration of whether Christians have a place in carnal warfare a very serious one. I believe that this consideration will come down to one line of thinking, and it is this that I would like to address and see what Gods mind is and what he has spoken for Christians to do today.
What are the reasons that men kill, destroy and create a great amount of pain and grief? Why do men not only take the lives of other men, but the lives of women and children as well? We read of the destruction of Jerusalem and shudder at what happened and the atrocity of what went on during that massacre, can we not look at any war whether past or present and see that these are the things that go on during war time? All for what? To expand a Countries border, in taking advantage of a weaker nation? We would agree I am sure that this would not be a justifiable reason for a Christian to call to arms and fight, so we can rule that one out. We can draw a conclusion that any war that is fought with the desire to gain lands wealth and power is one that a Christian would denounce.
We will consider the possibility of whether a Christian should go to war to protect the innocent or to prevent heinous crimes against race from those that would try to commit acts of genocide. We will look at the war with Iraq and compare this to the topic we are discussing. Here you have a man in charge and a leader of the people of Iraq who is a tyrant and a murderer is doing to the Serbs like what Hitler did the Jews in World War II, but on a smaller scale. He is torturing and killing off these peoples and burying them in mass graves, because they are trying to flee his tyranny. You have this ethnic cleansing going on and at the same time you have all this wealth from a country rich in oil reserves, yet the citizens living horrible poverty and literally starving to death. On top of it all you
have a man that would treat his own people in this manner, threatening to have the capabilities to put together a nuclear bomb, so now the threat is there for all the other nations as well. After seeing all this I would have to ask again if it is our responsibility to protect these people from their own ruler and also protect the world from this possible threat. Something that needs to be remembered in all this… A country rich in oil reserves. Is it possible that the motive behind all this is wealth and real estate? We will stay focused on the point of whether a Christian can got to war under the ideal of "protecting the innocent".
The bulk of what is to be said will center around the topic or phrase "In God we trust", a phrase or group of words that is our countries motto and one we find on money. In every purchase we make we indirectly use this phrase on a daily routine. Does a country that spends unfathomable amounts of money to build up weapons and military personal and seemingly willing to use them to sort out other countries problems and injustices, really follow this phrase "in God we trust"? I have faith and know that if God wants something stopped that he has the power and the ability to stop it. I believe the scripture when it says in Hebrews 10: 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. We find this speaking of men taking out punishment on those that were doing things contrary to the law of Moses, but then we see that this was changed. It saying that now this type of thing did not belong to men to decide who should die or be punished, but that God would judge. When it is we take into our hand to decide that this person, such as Suddam should be punished as the evil he is we are saying that God is not doing his job and that we need to do it for him.
Let us consider the verse in Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things! We see an exclamation being made here of how beautiful and good those are that preach peace. We will all say amen to that, knowing that peace is the preferred method, but we still say war must be declared as a last resort. I say that we leave this "last resort" to God and trust in him to deal with what may happen. Are we going to say that God cannot soften a hard heart? What may seem to us a impossible situation, could be a test of faith or perhaps God showing us that he still does work with us today, but unless we have the trust and patience and stop taking matters into our own hands we will never get to see God perform his miracles. You look at James Garfield who because of his involvement with the Civil War and politics deemed that is life was "bloodied" so that he could no longer serve in pulpit or as a preacher, why I would ask if this is for such a good cause in helping "the weak" do men always fill soiled and bothered? No, mans soul and mind was not design to kill and murder another person, no matter what the situation is the one that kills another is always left with scars. Again this is not the way that God designed us nor is it something that he wants, what he would have us do is to trust in him and lean not to our own understanding.
As we fight Iraq and the Alqaida with little support from anyone else people are beginning to question why these people resist and that the United States with all their technological advanced war fare have not gained control of the situation. We can liken it like the times of the Kings of Israel and when they went out against the judgment of God.
The very essence and nature of Christianity and all that was taught of Christ goes against what war is and stands for.
It was never meant for Christians to kill and take vengeance on those vile and wicked men who take advantage of those weaker and vulnerable victims. The Christian is someone who is more concerned about saving the soul of those killers as well as the victims. How are Christians to save souls if they are taking the lives before they have a chance to redeem them?
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fighting‟s among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
A question is asked, followed by an answer. The basis is that from lust war is derived, because in the nature of Christianity all situations and conflict can be resolved in a peaceful manner. That said those who are not of God will resolve their conflicts in a manner that is based off their feelings and lust, but those that walk in light of God, followers of Christ, would stay away from a situation that is based on lust.
Never do you find an example in the history of Christianity where the people of God ever took up arms to fight. If there was ever a reason to do so, it would have been in early days of the Church when brethren were being slaughtered and tortured because of their belief and faith in God and Christ. What better reason than to go to war than for the sake of brethren lives and to preserve Christianity? It was not God‟s will. His vengeance is so much greater than what a sword or a gun can afflict someone, the fact that he has power over the soul as well as the body, make him a God to fear. Matthew 10:28 Fear not him which can kill the body, but fear him who has power over body and soul. Man has limited power over us, and God is showing us that this soul of ours holds much more importance than our body and it is the soul we should be concerned about. This body is so limited in the time that it has here on earth, while the soul is something that is going to live on for
eternity. Christians are in the business of saving souls, war does the complete opposite, it destroys and seals the fate of those men who are killed.
Romans 14: 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. This scripture sums up the mind that we are to have in Christianity, following and pursuing that which makes peace. Does flying over a city and dropping hundreds of tons of exploding bombs, killing numerous of people classify as someone who is pursuing peace? Does going into a city and shooting someone‟s father, son, or husband and hence sealing the fate of their soul and causing untold grief to those who loved this individual, constitute as following peace?
Faith…
Seeing that what is being talked about are those that profess a faith in God and in the salvation of his son, it would not be out of line to explore the point of faith. It is accepted that by God‟s word he was able to create the world and all things therein. Christians have faith in the fact God is in control of all things especially toward those his children. And when God says to take no thought of this life, but to concern ourselves in our service to him, then why is that the worry of being able to take up arms and defend ourselves is something we lack faith in. Is not knowing that God is there to provide protection enough for us? This shouldn‟t be a lesson on whether a Christian can go to war or not, but it should be a lesson in having faith and trust in God. This should be a lesson on believing in God and trusting that he knows what is best for us and trusting in his promises.
America is a nation that is professed as a "Christian Nation", all its currency has inscribed on it "In God We Trust", but in God it does not trust. What it does trust in is its leaders and military power. It only trusts in that which it can see and hear. To "Trust in God", is
to put complete faith in him and know that no matter what may seem like a desperate and troubling situation, God will be there for me as long as I am right before him.
Luke 18: 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Will he find those that "trust in God" who believe in the promise that God will avenge his own elect. When a government decides to act out vengeance against another nation, are they not then taking it upon themselves the place of God? Because the leaders and governments have no faith in God, they are on their own in what they believe needs to be done. This is why as Christians we should not participate in the arm services under the leadership of man. Governments of this world react without God and for reasons that are not honest and without integrity. These wars come to no good and create only pain and suffering. Because of the Christians lack of faith and understanding in God will they take up arms and go to war with the ungodly.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. This chapter on faith is excellent in seeing how things work out for those that trust in God, even in situations that may appear impossible. It is stated here in Hebrews that there is something much greater than what we see here on earth. Through just the words of God all things in the earth were created, every piece of land and all its resources were created by just a word. This land and all that which it produces is what man have been fighting over since the beginning, because their faith is only in what this world contains. Christians understanding and faith go beyond what is in contained in this earth, and are able to comprehend that something far greater and richer than all the land, gold or oil of this earth awaits them. Faith is what makes the Christian not concern themselves about the things of this world and concentrate on obtaining heaven. They trust
in God when he promised that the truly great reward is waiting in heaven and that what this world has to offer in our few short years is nothing compared to what we can have in heaven.
Violence…
Is there ever a time where violence is right or deemed a necessary course to take? It will be found and proven that violence acted out by man, is something that God does not want. God is the sole executer of punishment and vengeance, being the creator of all things, he has that right. Men are not given the ability neither do they have the judgment to make such lasting decisions, such as taking another mans life. What is meant by men not having the ability is that their mind and conscience is not made to inflict death on another human. We are made to cherish life, to want to live, and to go and take that from another person is not natural. How many stories are there where men go to war only to come home mentally deranged, caused by all the travesty and vile things that were witnessed on the battle field.
Luke 3: 14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
Some would contend that this is saying for the soldier not to do any violence to an innocent person, but to do their job in defending their government.
Quotes from Warriors and Scholars…
(Napoleon) War is the trade of barbarians.
(Colonel Gadke) War is the father of other wars.
(Nechar) War suspends every idea of justice and humanity.
(Adolph Richter) War is an awful misfortune even for the victor.
(Sir John Sinclair) The profession of a soldier is a damnable profession.
(J. Novicow) War is one of the principle causes of the degradation of the human race.
(Robert Hall) War is nothing less than a temporary repeal of the principles of virtues.
(Sidney Smith) God is forgotten in war; every principle of Christianity is trampled upon.
(Bishop Fraiser) War is not the triumph of righteousness. It is the triumph of brute force.
(A soldier) I cannot bear to go into the presence of God so angry as I always become in battle.
(Walter Walsh) Its destructive effect upon the moral character of the nation that wages it is war‟s final condemnation.
(Henry Richards) Reason is for us, for war is an outrage upon reason. Justice is for us, for war tramples justice under foot.
(Wellington) War is a most detestable thing. If you had seen but one day of war, you would pray God you might not see another.
(Thomas Jefferson) I stand in awe at the mighty conflict to which two great nations are advancing, and recoil with horror at the ferociousness of man. Will nations never devise a more rational umpire of differences than force? Wonderful has been the progress of human improvement in other respects. Let us then hope that we shall at length be sensible that war is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrongs and multiples instead of indemnifying losses. Were we to go to war for redress of wrongs that we have suffered, we should only plunge deeper into loss and disqualify ourselves for half a century more for attaining the same end.
(H. Leo Boles) Christianity is constructive, while war is destructive; Christianity is elevating, war is debasing; Christianity is purifying, war is corrupting; Christianity blesses, war curses; Christianity calls for the best and the noblest that is in man, war degrades and depraves man; Christianity makes men moral, war makes him immoral; Christianity cultivates kindness and gentleness in men, war makes them hard and ferocious;
Christianity makes men a blessing unto each other, war makes them a curse; Christianity saves, war damns; Christianity gives life, war destroys life ; Christianity leads men to God and heaven, war leads them to destruction.
(Alexander Campbell) War is not nor was it ever a process of justice. It never was a test of truth, a criterion of right. The precepts of Christianity positively inhibit war, by showing that „wars and fighting come from men‟s lusts‟ and evil passions and by commanding Christians to „follow peace with all men.‟
(U. Wright, Gospel Advocate, 1868) And that while Christ has taught us that we must necessarily be subjects of Caesar even unto death, we have never learned from Christ that we are to be soldiers for Caesar, even in the remotest degree, in war or peace, to fight for him in bloody combat.
(Merie Weiss) Christians do not need bombs, ships nor the weapons of men to protect and succor them, but they need a deep, abiding faith in God. Helping the world to slaughter mankind will not insure their lives nor protect them from harm. Only God can do this. Their strength, their safety, and their hope of life eternal are in the mighty arm of the Lord. To kill and destroy means eternal death to all who are engaged in it and of those who want to kill and destroy. "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men‟s lives but to save them."-Luke 9:26. Christ left all Christians with the responsibility to teach and promulgate the gospel that the souls of men might be saved. To kill our fellowman is to deprive them from ever hearing the gospel. So killing and destroying man defeats the great purpose of God for the salvation of the world. No Christian if he values his soul can be a party to anything that works against the sublime design of God which is to save the world through the preaching of the gospel.
