It has been pointed out that my topics have been rather shallow lately. (Okay, it was actually ME who said that, but the person I was talking to, confirmed it by stating in a shocked tone of voice that I resorted to talking about the weather…GASP.)
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There are reasonably decent people who believe it is always wrong for a Christian to go to war or serve as a soldier/combatant, or support a war effort. I was reading a blog discussion between a couple of fine gentlemen and I wanted to say more than a normal comment would allow. I told them I would link back there only if we remain civil over here. I am not against them, per se; I simply wish to speak to a different position.
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May I respectfully challenge the absolute anti-war position?
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Here is my position. We must not love violence, but would zealously defend the Bible in that we do not add or take away from what God says. With those qualifiers, I would say that I do not find a clear, solid instruction from God on whether a good Christian can be a soldier. Ultimately, it is God who has appointed our earthly kings, and if they tell us to go to war, we should obey. We who live in a democracy, have a wonderful , but let’s not take that for granted.
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In a comment, one gentleman cited his baptismal covenant.
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Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
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It appears to me that there is balance in the Episcopalian Baptismal Covenant, in that one is not only making a commitment to peace, but also to justice. As I understand it, respecting the dignity of every human being is protecting the innocent, and punishing evildoers. But I would not anchor my position in a covenant of another denomination, or even my own. Let God be our authority, as we listen to His Word, which He revealed to us in the Bible.
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That one about seeking Christ 'in all persons' reminds me of the passage from Paul that stated God 'revealed Christ in me' (Galatians 1.15-17). If we really believe that Christ has redeemed the world, then how can we support violence of any kind, including war? Again, history shows us that before Constantine Christians did not partake in the military. They believed that they were part of a different kingdom. - On that note, Jesus himself stated that if his kingdom was like the kingdoms the 'world' produces, his followers would fight for his release. The implication is that his kingdom and his followers are not like the kingdoms of the world. They should not be using violence to accomplish anything. That is not the way of our King. - If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, then we get our instruction and very life from the vine. And the Vine is not violent. Therefore, neither should we be violent. On any level. We must come up with creative ways of discipline, sure. But violence should never be an option for us.
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We must be careful when we speak of kingdom, because we will not and cannot have a theocracy on earth until Jesus returns.
It has been accepted by some, that before Constantine, Christians did not partake in the military. Is there a biblical mandate for this? Where does God say (in the Bible) that if we want to follow Him, we can no longer be a soldier? I don’t see it. There is a much clearer biblical position on divorce or whether a woman can be called to serve as a shepherd. We tread carefully in those areas, shall we be any less careful about an area that the Bible does not address as directly?
I cannot agree that violence is not the way of our King, or that the Vine (Jesus) is not violent. Or at least, I would say, maybe not “the” way of our King, but certainly “a” way. He is sometimes gentle, and sometimes violent, but always holy, and always righteous.
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I realize this is a controversial subject, so I have made an effort to season my words with grace. Did it work? Do I need to improve?
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Enough of my rambling. Any thoughts?
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For another perspective on Christians & War, visit Ted Gossard's blog.
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