Christians and War

Christians and War

Dear Preacher:
What is your view on War? -George

Dear George:
Many believers have asked your question throughout the Christian era. Below are my conclusions.

Murder is a terrible sin against God and man. Because it is made in God's image, human life is sacred (Gen. 1:26). When God gave the Ten Commandments he warned "Thou shalt not kill" (Deut. 5:17). The meaning of the original is "Thou shalt not murder." We conclude this since the penalty for murder was execution by God's people (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 21:12) and since God authorized the Hebrews to prosecute wars in defense of their nation (Num. 31:1-6).

Murder involves killing a person with malice a forehand. God made a distinction between those who murdered and those who killed accidently (Deut. 4:42)

Jesus makes it clear we are not to hate nor kill those who have wronged us. We are to pray for and do good to them (Matt. 5:43-44; Rom. 12:17-21). We are to call on our government to protect us from those who threaten or harm us.

Paul tells us that civil government with its law enforcement and justice systems were created by God to protect the righteous (innocent) and to punish the wicked (Rom. 12: -13: ). He gave government the power of the sword to execute those who commit vicious crimes against others (Rom. 13:1-5). The government bears not the sword in vain, i.e., it has the power and right to use the instrument of death in needed cases.

Our Creator has instilled in humanity and in all other living creatures an instinct for self-defense. If you threaten a dog he will bite you, if you threaten a wasp he will sting you. If you threaten a man, his wife or child he will respond in whatever manner is necessary to protect himself and his family.

The same Lord who teaches me not to kill and not to avenge myself teaches me to love and protect my wife and children (Eph. 5:25). Some folks will face the terrible situation where their family is threatened by an evil person who has invaded their home or attack them. I believe they have the right to use force in so doing.

There is an obvious difference in an aggressive nation that makes war on its neighbors and a nation that defends itself against an invading aggressor or assists her neighbor in so doing. The one is wrong, the other is justified.

Jesus teaches me to love my enemy (Matt. 5:43-44 ) to love my wife (Eph. 5:22 ) and to love my self (Matt. 22:39. I am forced to asked which of these takes precedence when a wicked person threatens to do great bodily harm to me or my family? It seems that love for my family takes precedence over love for an enemy who would harm them.

If I am attacked by an intruder and use force to protect myself, and if in so doing I should harm or even kill him, I am not charged with murder by our courts. There was no malice on my part. I acted in self defense or in defense of my family. I do not think God would consider me guilty of murder in such a case.

If I took my family on a camping trip and we were attacked by a bear, no one would think me wrong if I shot the aggressive animal. If a crazed or evil man attacked, and I shot him, it would be not different than shooting the bear.

As to war. There are good and evil nations in our world. There are peace-loving and war-like, aggressive nations. Romans 13 teaches that God has given governments the sword to deal with evil people who are a threat to others. I conclude that same teaching authorizes nations to protect themselves against aggressive nations.

Jesus made it clear that his kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). It is not a worldly kingdom and it is not authorized to use force to extend its borders or protect itself. Like the Lord and the apostles we endure the persecutions (Acts 5:40-42). The Catholic Church in days past ignored this truth as did some of the major Protestant bodies.

As to whether a Christian can serve in the military or law-enforcement of his nation or community I would say, yes! In so doing they are part of the civil government God created to protect his people and control and punish the wicked. As Christians their code of ethics and honor should be that of Christ. They should reflect the highest Christian attributes in their personal and professional lives. That should would be a difficult challenge, I freely concede but across the centuries millions have done so.

War is a necessary evil in our, sin-cursed world. If every one was a faithful Christian there would be no need for police or armies. But alas, such is not the case. We respect those believers whose conscience will not allow them to serve in the military and would never pressure them to do so. We are grateful for those who risk their lives to protect us.

Sincerely,

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