Militarism and war, are polarizing topics, and evoke all kinds of emotions. These posts are from a message I taught at Life Church on Sunday, August 12th. To watch the video or download an audio file from the message please visit www.lifechurchindy.com.
To start with let me say that I support our troops, though I am coming to believe less in the leaders sending them.
A child graduating high school today has not known a time in which the US has not been at war. We are currently in the longest running time of war in the history of our nation. War has become the norm, a necessary evil and we have embraced it. The evangelical church has lost it’s voice in this discussion because it has chosen to simply fall in step with whatever policies the Republican party has advanced.
5 Issues I want to examine.
- Look at the continuum of peace to militarism and define each.
- What Jesus taught on the topic of war and violence.
- The cost of war.
- Separating patriotism and devotion to God.
- Overcoming fear.
1. From Pacifist to Militarism
Pacifism –
Pacifism is the belief that war of any kind is morally unacceptable and/or pragmatically not worth the cost. Famous pacifists include Ghandi, and Dr. Martin Luther King. Churches that take a stand as pacifists: Mennonite, Brethren, Quakers, Amish and Seventh Day Adventists.
To our most bitter opponents we say: ‘We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We shall meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will, and we shall continue to love you.’ —Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
The first three hundred years of the church Christians were pacifists.
“Murder, considered a crime when people commit it individualy, is transformed into a virtue when they do it en masse.” Cyprian, African Bishop 300.
In 312 Constantine was converted to Christianity and as the leader of the Roman Empire he declared Christianity to be the national religion. This blending of the church and state started a downward spiral of spirituality and regard for Biblical teachings on matters related to the state.
Just War
St. Augustine used the phrase in his writing “The City of God” around 400. Thomas Aquinas, 1,400. At times war is necessary.
- A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All non-violent options must be exhausted before the use of force can be justified.
- A war is just only if it is waged by a legitimate authority.
- A just war can only be fought to redress a wrong suffered. For example, self-defense against an armed attack.
- A war can only be just if it is fought with a reasonable chance of success. Deaths and injury incurred in a hopeless cause are not morally justifiable.
- The ultimate goal of a just war is to re-establish peace.
- The violence used in the war must be proportional to the injury suffered.
- The weapons used in war must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants. Civilians are never permissible targets of war, and every effort must be taken to avoid killing civilians.
Militarism
Militarism the belief that war is not inherently bad, but can be a beneficial aspect of society. A political or religious view that is enforced on others through military action.
Example of Communism 20th century or radical elements of Islam today. Much of the world views America as most militaristic nation. What really makes this especially dangerous is when violence is done in the name of God.
“Thus I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.” Hitler, Mein Kampf
“We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren’t punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet- bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That’s war. And this is war.” – Ann Coulter
Where do you fall? I believe most evangelical Christians have drifted further and further to the right over that last twenty years.
I believe the heart of God is to call us as evangelicals back from far right and from being the first group to support war.
Where do you think Jesus would be?
Great topic. When I opened the webpage and saw the picture at the beginning of the article, I remembered how I was treated by many of my workplace colleagues when I voiced my disapproval of the invasion of Iraq. I was called “Anti-American” by many. I admit that my view of armed conflict was shaped, in part, by the emotional and physical damage I saw done to my Father and other Vietnam veterans when I was young. Before I was a Christian, I had a hard time with believers that professed to follow the Jesus of the Bible, yet so quickly “wrap themselves in the flag” and rush this nation into war.