A Moment With Pastor Fred

With the Christmas season upon us we often hear the phrase “peace on earth.” However, this statement made by the angels refers not to worldwide disarmament but to the blessing of being secure in God, literally “peace on earth to men on whom his favor rests.” 

I saw a bumper sticker with a cross that read “War is Not the Answer.” The message conveyed that Christianity teaches pacifism. Now let me say upfront that I knew a godly man who was a classic pacifist. He believed war was a necessary evil but that as a Christian he could not take someone’s life (that job was for unbelievers). I greatly respected this man for his conviction (he’s now in glory). Classic pacifism differs from modern pacifism which naively believes if you talk to your enemy long enough a peaceful solution can be achieved. That premise is biblically wrong denying the total depravity of mankind. Terrorists could care less about talking. They just want you dead. 

Augustine was first to use the phrase “just war.” Two of his criteria involved wicked aggression and just defense. I believe there are times when believers, citizens of a secular nation, can fight in war. To say that war is always right makes one guilty of patriotic idolatry (“my country right or wrong”), but to say war is always wrong denies that evil at times must be stopped. The question of war is easy to discuss but very difficult at times to implement.

We ultimately know that no war will bring about a lasting truce for only King Jesus will bring about world peace by His Second Coming. Even so come, Lord Jesus.