WAR & THE CHRISTIAN


The World, the Word & You! Broadcast
Commentary by Dennis L. Finnan

THIS WEEKEND OBSERVES THE AMERICAN HOLIDAY CALLED 'MEMORIAL DAY.' IT'S A TIME TO REMEMBER OUR NATION'S WAR DEAD AND THOSE WHO SERVE IN OUR MILITARY FORCES. BUT EXACTLY WHAT ROLE DOES AND SHOULD A CHRISTIAN HAVE IN SUCH MATTERS AS WAR?

I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the WWY Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about it…

…Hello and welcome again to another broadcast edition of the World, the Word & You!, a thirty minute radio broadcast featuring biblical commentary on our times, coupled with some beautiful music for your listening enjoyment. I'm Dennis Finnan your speaker and host thanking you for joining us on this fine spring day. Our program airs on this station and the internet by the kind care and support of our friends and listeners of these broadcasts. By the way, the month of May marks the completion of our 20th year on the air. We began on May 11, 1980 by the grace of God and by God's marvelous grace we have continued to this day. For this we give thanks to God and to you for being His hand of care to accomplish this…

…Well friends, this weekend in America we celebrate a national holiday everyone looks forward to ¾ MEMORIAL DAY ¾ sadly though, not for the purpose it was instituted, but for simply creating for most workers, a three day weekend. Yet, Memorial Day is an important day, as we shall discuss after we first listen to this delightful patriotic song. So don't go away I've got a special message for you entitled: WAR & THE CHRISTIAN...

…On Monday May 29th, America celebrates Memorial Day, a legal holiday, observed in honor of the nation's armed services personnel killed in wartime. The holiday, originally called Decoration Day, is traditionally marked by parades, memorial speeches and ceremonies, and the decoration of graves with flowers and flags, hence the original name. Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, on the order of General John Alexander Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of the American Civil War dead. It was observed on May 30 until 1971, when most states changed to a newly established federal schedule of holiday observance.

In the year 2000, as we look back, we find that America has fought eight major wars, from the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War, where many died fighting to preserve the freedoms of this nation and others around the world. Truly it is an appropriate time to "remember" their greatest sacrifice, the giving of their lives so we might live!

However, as we tread on this sacred ground, the question always arises for the Christian ¾ how much of any are true Christians to be involved in wars and its accompanying bloodshed? Did not Moses say on behalf of God, "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" (Exodus 20:13) and did not the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ Himself say, "DO NOT RESIST ONE WHO IS EVIL"(Mat 5:39). If so, what business does a Christian have in remembering those who died "resisting evil?" Well in a moment after another patriotic musical selection, I'll try to put a handle on the role and place of WAR & THE CHRISTIAN…

…What should a Christian's attitude be toward war? Is it ever right to take the life of another person under the command of one's government? Is there a biblical basis at all for engaging in war? Well, many followers of the "Good Book," called the Bible say no! Now let's categorize this. Basically, there are three views regarding the taking of human life in wartime. First, there is (1) Activism, second there is (2) Pacifism, and third we shall call it (3) Selectivism. These three views are held by a variety of those who claim to be Christians but strongly oppose each other. So, in honor of those American's who died engaging in war, I want to give you God's perspective on this issue of taking life through the horrors and bloodshed of war. To begin we'll define these three positions with the Body of Christ. The first is what can be called,

1. CHRISTIAN ACTIVISM - which says "it is always right to participate in war." Therefore, as a Christian is duty bound to obey his government, he may be called on to participate in every war that enlists their support. The Biblical argument used to support this is the apostle Paul's words found in,

Rom 13:1-4 (NIV) "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, 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."

Activist say since God ordained government, we are duty bound to obey it at all times, even when called upon to "bring punishment on the wrongdoer." Further scripture used to support this, is found in Gen. 9:6; Matt. 22:21; 2 Cor 14:33. In addition, to these supposed biblical arguments is the philosophical one that says "Government is to be man's guardian," to keep order and decency in the lives and living of society. Therefore, all forms of rebellion, and anarchy must be stopped to prevent social chaos. Now this is first view held by some Christians even to this day. The second view we should know about is called,

2. CHRISTIAN PACIFISM - which says "it is never right to participate in any war." This view is held by a goodly number of others, especially groups like the Quakers, Amish, Mennonites, and others who believe it is "never" right to participate in war. The main Scripture appealed to is one of the Ten Commandments which says,

Exo 20:13 (KJV) "Thou shalt not kill."

However, I must add this right at this point. Our beloved King James Version of the Bible erred greatly in translating this text by using the word "kill," for the Hebrew word translated "kill" in Ex. 20:13, ratsach, is translated "murder" 14 times (Nu. 35:16, 17,18,19,21,30,31; 1 Ki. 6:32; Job 24:14; Ps. 94:6; Is. 1:21; Je. 7:9; Ho. 6:9) and "slayer" 17 times. The text correctly reads "YOU SHALL NOT MURDER." Murder is a different word and meaning than to kill. Still other Pacifist use Jesus' words when He said, "DO NOT RESIST ONE WHO IS EVIL… LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU." (Mat 5:39,44). Therefore for the New Testament Christian pacifist, the taking of any and all life, especially in warfare is evil, fundamentally un-Christian and contrary to God's call for love. The Christian pacifist then is to repay no one with evil for evil and as far as a Christian is concerned he is to live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:17-18). This is basically the position of those good people, Christian pacifists, who refuse to defend against evil or aggression or be forced to fight on behalf of our nation in times of war. Now this brings us to the third position many Christians hold, especially those who served our country in times of war and gave up their lives in the defense of evil. It is called,

3. CHRISTIAN SELECTIVISM -which says "it is right to participate in some wars." Not all Christians are content with blind patriotism, which shouts "My country, right or wrong!" Neither is everyone satisfied with the pacifist's view that permits the Hitler's of this world to march over the face if it enslaving all in his path, and committing genocide of those opposed. Selectivism is a term that describes Christians who believe God has indeed ordained government as the primary source of social order, decency and control of sinful humanity. As such, God has given governments the right to "bear arms" to protect people, their lives and property from evil individuals and governments who determine to destroy that peace, order and living. However, the question is can this be substantiated in the Bible? The answer is yes! Permit me to share with you this view and its biblical basis.

Now Christian pacifists appeal to Scripture to support their view that it is always wrong to defend against evil and aggression, but their biblical arguments all fall to the ground when viewed in light of God's revelation, purpose and the proper context those verse are found in.

In the Old Testament we discover God gave permission for man to "kill," or take life. First of all, in order to live mankind was given permission (1) to hunt, trap and kill animals for food and clothing. Why even God Himself was the first to slay animals to provide clothing for Adam and Eve as they were driven out of the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:21). Secondly, (2) God gave permission for individuals to defend themselves against personal aggressors,

Exo 22:2 (NIV) ""If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed;"

Moreover, (3) God gave mankind permission as a lawful society, to "kill," or destroy those guilty of capital offenses. We call this today "capital punishment." We read in,

Gen 9:6 (NIV) ""Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man."

Rom 13:3-4 (NIV) "For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong…. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he [government] does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

Fourth, God also gave permission for His children to (4) kill when the necessity of societal defense arose in times of warfare. In Genesis 14 we read of Abraham when he fought against an aggressive enemy of marauding kings who carried off his nephew Lot and all his possessions.

Gen 14:12 (NIV) "They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom."

We are directly told that it was God who gave Abraham the victory of war, in resisting this evil that came upon his family and property.

Gen 14:19-20 (NIV) "and [God] blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything."

This divinely sanction war is important to understand. For later on, God organized and engaged the entire nation of Israel into His army to kill all God's enemies that He had labeled for destruction. Make no mistake God sanctioned the killing of human life by warfare. Again we read,

Josh 10:40 (NIV) "So Joshua subdued the whole region, including the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills and the mountain slopes, together with all their kings. He left no survivors. He totally destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded."

Now many will protest and say that's Old Testament! However, even though Jesus spoke of peace and tranquillity in relationships, the great Sermon on the Mount never discounted the fact that God did and still does permit warfare in times of national aggression and evil, as well as individual defense against those who threaten one's life and family.

So the question is which camp are you bivouacked in? Is it Christian Activism? Christian Pacifism? Or, is it Christian Selectivism? To help you further understand this last position as the Biblical one, let's explore the reasons possible for some wars to be "just." I believe today there are four basic reasons a Christian can and should engage in war and know that it is just and approved of by God. Therefore killing that results, it can be justified and a Christian soldier not be guilty of murdering another human being which is prohibited in Scripture. Here then a re the four arguments:

FOUR ARGUMENTS FOR JUST WAR:

  1. A WAR IS JUST WHEN IT IS IN DEFENSE OF THE INNOCENT - Our case in point earlier about Abraham going to war in defense of his nephew Lot who was carried off by marauding aggressors is an example. God gave permission to fight, defend, and rescue them at the expense of taking of human life (Gen 14). Yes, God commands us to live in peace as much as possible, but this command also carries with it the right to defend that peace from others who will attempt to take it away. There is a moral duty to keep peace and restore it where it has been violated. This is the basis of World War II's American defense of Europe and the Pacific. Japan and Germany were aggressors who sought to enslave nations to their wicked evil ideology. They attacked us in the pursuit and we had the right to defend ourselves. America's participation to fight against them and kill those who came against us was morally and biblically right. God be thanked for those who died to defend us against that evil of the day. Now a second basis for a just war is,
  2. A WAR IS JUST WHEN FOUGHT TO EXECUTE JUSTICE - A just war may at times be punitive. It is right sometimes just to take military action against, and even invade a nation that has assaulted another nation. Again Hitler invaded other countries, mercilessly killing the innocent. Japan likewise invaded China with terrorism and bloodshed. Justice demanded that punishment fit the crime, whether the criminal is an individual or a nation. Those nations which commit terrible injustice are subject to retribution by God-fearing decent peace loving nations. This of course means we are not to be the aggressor, even if another nation is persecuting its own people. Thus, preemptive strikes are rarely justified. Now there is a third concept of a just war and it is,
  3. A WAR IS JUST WHEN FOUGHT BY GOVERNMENT ONLY - No individual has the right to take human life, unless it is self-defense. Only governments have been given by God the right to engage in military activity to maintain peace, protect its citizens against evil, and to take the lives of hardened aggressors. Therefore only declared wars may be just. A government must publicly declare war against the aggressive nation, and let them know of it before any attacks are launched. Of course, let it be said, not every war declared by a government is just. It must meet this criteria for a Christian to morally stand with his government in the pursuit of defense. Now lastly,
  4. A WAR IS JUST WHEN IT IS FOUGHT RIGHTEOUSLY - When engaged in war, even if permitted by God and His Word to defend against marauders and evil, not every act in it may be just. For instance the use of chemical warfare, or indiscriminate destruction of innocent life and civilians is wrong and unjust. An example can be found in Deu 20:19-20 (NIV) "When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees of the field people, that you should besiege them? 20 However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls." Protection of the environment as much as possible should be observed. Why? Because innocent people are there, even in an aggressive nation and after war is over they must have food to be sustained. It's inhumane to kill and destroy the land that belongs to the innocent.

Now these are just a few ideas that give us, who are Christians, the peace to know that those of us who fought in our nation's wars did so not only to preserve our peace, tranquillity and lives, but did so in a way we can give thanks to God for their sacrifices, knowing God looks down on their actions without prejudice.

I wonder today, how much evil would have enslaved the world, if Christians were not willing to fight to preserve the peace God gave us? America is here because God gave this land to Christians, never lose sight of that. We have the right to defend this land against any and all who would seek to destroy it, and our peace. Yet, our main mission is peace, and a peace only God gives to those who are not His enemies. Do you know that the whole human race is born in the state of war against God? That's right. Sin is rebellion to God's law and as such we are the enemy of God until we make peace. God has sent His ambassadors to this present world to make that peace with God. Who are they? We who are Christians are the ambassadors. The bible says,

2 Cor 5:20-21 (NIV) "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

How can you have peace with God? By surrendering your rebellious heart to God's Son Jesus Christ. He has paid the penalty of our rebellion, and He offers this pardon to all sinners who will come to Him confessing their sins, and calling upon Him to save them. That's right, God is offering amnesty to everyone who is against Him. Who is against God? Everyone who has not crowned Jesus Christ Lord and Savior, that is King of their lives!

Rom 10:9-10 (NIV) "… if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Eph 5:6 (NIV) "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient."

Now it is not God's call for believers today to defend against God's aggressors who stand in opposition to His rightful rulership of this world. But, it is our duty to tell those who are in rebellion, and persecute God's people ¾ that a day of God's wrath and judgment will come upon them as God engages all the forces of heaven and earth to fight against them. One day even Christians will come back from Heaven to slay the evil wicked of this world. The entire book of Revelation tells this story. But for now, God's children are ambassadors of peace. We extend the olive branch of peace with God to all by proclaiming the GOOD NEWS Gospel. Indeed Christ died for you, will you not receive Him? Will you not throw down your arms of rebellion and disobedience and turn to God through Jesus Christ? All who do will be spared and saved, and not become a casualty of war. Meanwhile, this weekend in America let us not forget the just who died in the eight major wars our nation has fought. Let us give thanks to God for their sacrifice and in honor of them continue to maintain the peace, freedoms and righteousness of our laws centered in the biblical Judeo-Christian philosophy America was founded upon. Herein I stand and give honor to all who died defending our land…

…Are you a veteran? If so, may God richly bless you, and may you know of our love and pride in your faithfulness to obey God; and, stand for righteousness and truth, in the American way through the centuries of this nation's existence. Meanwhile, let us who are soldiers in the Army of Christ ever stand vigil, and ever be proclaiming God's peace overtures that can only come to sinful humanity through the Gospel of Christ. In that we live and have our being.

The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 18 years, and serves as General Director.

These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.

For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan(dennis@wwy.org),or visit our webpage at http://www.wwy.org/