A Moment With Pastor Fred

For centuries Christianity has held various opinions on the subject of war. Modern wars must not be confused with the wars fought by Israel in the OT. Today there is no nation acting as God’s representative. OT Israel was unique receiving special revelation. NT believers are never told to advance God’s kingdom by bloodshed.

Historically a minority of Christians have held to what’s been called “classic pacifism” – believing that sometimes war is necessary but Christians shouldn’t be engaged in it. That’s not what today’s pacificism teaches. Many peace marchers of today don’t believe in the depravity of humanity. These naively hold to the idea that we are inherently good. If we strive hard enough, we can achieve world peace. That isn’t what the Bible teaches at all. Now don’t misunderstand. We applaud all humanitarian efforts to end senseless killing. But as Christians we must accept the reality of evil in this fallen world.

Augustine’s City of God, he taught war could only be just: if declared by a legitimate government; if the war was to protect innocent life; national defense; not be waged unless the evils fought were grave enough to justify the taking of life; that the war would end more evil than it would cause; and that all peaceful alternatives had been exhausted. You and I will have to wrestle with whether or not current wars fit into this category. Regardless we must be respectful with those with whom we might disagree. We must always pray for our national leaders, be responsible and respectful to authority and remember our greatest war is spiritual, not physical.