One of the issues that I mentioned in this week’s sermon was that I wasn’t going to talk much about war in general terms. We are committed to simply preaching the text of God’s word and not just starting at the text and then moving on to what we want to say. And the text didn’t really move me in that direction.
But I recognize that with our current political climate the issues of war and peace are significant issues. Is there are Biblical justification for war? How should Christians respond to war?
God-honoring, Bible-believing Christians have reacted to this difficult question in one of three primary ways. I wanted to give you an overview of these views.
Crusade Theory
This theory sees war as necessary to confront the work of Satan in the world. Any one who does not submit to “God’s people” are, therefore, an agent of Satan’s kingdom and, therefore, an enemy. It was this theory that was used to justify the Crusades of the middle ages and much of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Aside from a few radicals, this view of war is not advocated by Christians today.
Christian Non-Violence
This theory sees no justification for violence of any kind. It is based on the perceived “non-violence” of Jesus. Several pacifists have believed and taught this theory including Martin Luther King, Jr. Modern theologians who advocate this theory include John Howard Yoder and Stanley Hauerwas. Some texts used to justify Christian Non-violence: Matt. 5:39, 44; 26:52 & Rom. 12:17-21.
Just War Theory
This theory states that God intends to promote justice thorough the agency of human government. Whenever justice is threatened by systematic and organized oppression governments are ordained by God to intervene to rescue the oppressed and restore justice. This intervention can include, when required, force and/or war. This theory has also developed a set of objective criteria by which nations can justify war and the conduct by which they should wage these wars. Some verses used to support Just War: Rom. 13:1-4.
Regardless of what you believe…regardless of your particular feelings on the current wars our nation is involved in, know that God is honored when we honestly seek Him and then consistently live out the convictions that the Spirit is placing in our heart.
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2 comments:
Doug,
I spent the weekend in Charleston for the Christian Campus House Annual Banquet (and heard a wonderful message on the importance of remembering Gethsemane). So, I have just listened to your message... it was awesome!! If I haven't told you before, I like that you use life application (i.e. your kids). It makes it more real for me I guess. You could even have titled your message: The Past Applied to the Present.
And BTW... I (thankfully) have never had to say those words, "just wait until they are teenagers". Lucky? maybe... my two young adults were a gift through those years and Liz is doing well so far as a young teen. Guess we'll see what comes up.
The issue of whether Christians should be actively involved in secular wars is a tricky one. If a believer enters the military knowing he or she may have to take another human life.. how does one justify that before the Maker? After all, the typical Christian stance is that life is sacred - whether it's the unborn, the comatosed, or the other humans on the other side of the battlefield.. right? There was a clip in the old WWII movie, "The Longest Day". It showed both American and German officers echoing the sentiment, "God is on our side." It does make sense, after all, that there are probably Jesus-serving soldiers on both sides of every war. How then does God view his children killing each other, no matter how free or how oppressive their respective governments are? It's more than food for thought.. it's a whole meal.
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