Should a Christian Join the Army?

TheDonBar

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Good day all!

As some of you who see this may know, I am still new to Christianity and still have a lot of questions so please bear with me. But before I began to accept God and Christ more and more into my life, I was dead set on becoming an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. More specifically, either an Infantry Officer, Armoured Officer, or an Artillery Officer. I truthfully felt nothing better than my patriotism, until as stated previously the bolder introduction of God. My plan was to serve this year in the Reserve Force, by this summer I would be in the Royal Military College of Canada. However, now I feel a bit... different? I suppose you could say. It is hard to explain what exactly happened, but my overwhelming patriotism sort of fizzled, and that pride isn't entirely there anymore.

I am unsure if it is God calling me to something different, or if it is just fear of being shammed, or doing the wrong thing in God's eyes. Of course "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the biggest commandments we all must follow, and being in the army you are called to kill in the name of your country. Since this I have also considered Priesthood, or possibly being a chaplain in the army (which would require me to be a Priest first, and in Canada a great deal of education on other religions).

If anyone could offer me some advice on this questioning, it would all be sincerely appreciated. Thank-you all in advance!
 

TheDonBar

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Check it out, it's about the true World War III experiences of Desmond Doss, a christian who refuses to carry or use a weapon or firearm of any kind. He's a medic.
Thank you for telling me about it! I will be certain to check it out :)
 
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tulc

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I think we need to infiltrate all aspects of good life... and not isolate ourselves. My son won many to Christ during his missions in the Middle East, for example :D
Please tell him I said thank you for his service. :wave:
tulc(knows it's not easy being a Christian in the military) :sigh:
 
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BNR32FAN

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Good day all!

As some of you who see this may know, I am still new to Christianity and still have a lot of questions so please bear with me. But before I began to accept God and Christ more and more into my life, I was dead set on becoming an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. More specifically, either an Infantry Officer, Armoured Officer, or an Artillery Officer. I truthfully felt nothing better than my patriotism, until as stated previously the bolder introduction of God. My plan was to serve this year in the Reserve Force, by this summer I would be in the Royal Military College of Canada. However, now I feel a bit... different? I suppose you could say. It is hard to explain what exactly happened, but my overwhelming patriotism sort of fizzled, and that pride isn't entirely there anymore.

I am unsure if it is God calling me to something different, or if it is just fear of being shammed, or doing the wrong thing in God's eyes. Of course "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the biggest commandments we all must follow, and being in the army you are called to kill in the name of your country. Since this I have also considered Priesthood, or possibly being a chaplain in the army (which would require me to be a Priest first, and in Canada a great deal of education on other religions).

If anyone could offer me some advice on this questioning, it would all be sincerely appreciated. Thank-you all in advance!

The Bible actually says thou shalt not murder. The correct translation for the Hebrew word râtsach means to murder. God ordered the Israelites to kill on many occasions. I’m not saying killing is good of course unless God has commanded it. My point is that in most situations the Canadian army does not murder, they kill to protect the innocent. I won’t say this is always true simply because I don’t know but that is the intended purpose of the army which is to save lives and protect the innocent. Perhaps you could enlist as a Chaplin or Chaplin’s assistant. My uncle was a Chaplin’s assistant in the US army. This way you could serve both your country and God. Pray and ask for guidance. God bless brother:)
 
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Fish Catcher Jim

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Thou shalt not kill"
Murder.....there is a huge difference and the bible does address soldiers.
My best advice is to pray about it and not make any rash choices either way.

It's not wrong for a Christian to join the armed forces however it is best to know if it fits in with God's plan.

Be at peace and enjoy your salvation .
Blessings
 
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Good day all!

As some of you who see this may know, I am still new to Christianity and still have a lot of questions so please bear with me. But before I began to accept God and Christ more and more into my life, I was dead set on becoming an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. More specifically, either an Infantry Officer, Armoured Officer, or an Artillery Officer. I truthfully felt nothing better than my patriotism, until as stated previously the bolder introduction of God. My plan was to serve this year in the Reserve Force, by this summer I would be in the Royal Military College of Canada. However, now I feel a bit... different? I suppose you could say. It is hard to explain what exactly happened, but my overwhelming patriotism sort of fizzled, and that pride isn't entirely there anymore.

I am unsure if it is God calling me to something different, or if it is just fear of being shammed, or doing the wrong thing in God's eyes. Of course "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the biggest commandments we all must follow, and being in the army you are called to kill in the name of your country. Since this I have also considered Priesthood, or possibly being a chaplain in the army (which would require me to be a Priest first, and in Canada a great deal of education on other religions).

If anyone could offer me some advice on this questioning, it would all be sincerely appreciated. Thank-you all in advance!
From what I have seen in history, wars aren't always just, or necessary, at all. They do make some folk real rich, though!

I personally would not enter the military because I couldn't say why whomever would be sending me somewhere to serve. Maybe if I knew their real motives they would offend me. For example I personally think the war in Viet Nam and the invasion of Iraq led to unnecessary loss of life. On the other hand it seems that the war in Korea kept S. Koreans from being under someone like Kim Jung Un.

The thing is, once you enlist your choices are gone. You go where they send your for THEIR reasons, based on THEIR preferences and beliefs, not necessarily yours at all.

One of the best movies I ever saw was Hacksaw Ridge, about a conscientious objector. I wonder if you would find it enlightening in any way.
 
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Dan the deacon

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Good day all!

As some of you who see this may know, I am still new to Christianity and still have a lot of questions so please bear with me. But before I began to accept God and Christ more and more into my life, I was dead set on becoming an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. More specifically, either an Infantry Officer, Armoured Officer, or an Artillery Officer. I truthfully felt nothing better than my patriotism, until as stated previously the bolder introduction of God. My plan was to serve this year in the Reserve Force, by this summer I would be in the Royal Military College of Canada. However, now I feel a bit... different? I suppose you could say. It is hard to explain what exactly happened, but my overwhelming patriotism sort of fizzled, and that pride isn't entirely there anymore.

I am unsure if it is God calling me to something different, or if it is just fear of being shammed, or doing the wrong thing in God's eyes. Of course "Thou shalt not kill" is one of the biggest commandments we all must follow, and being in the army you are called to kill in the name of your country. Since this I have also considered Priesthood, or possibly being a chaplain in the army (which would require me to be a Priest first, and in Canada a great deal of education on other religions).

If anyone could offer me some advice on this questioning, it would all be sincerely appreciated. Thank-you all in advance!
There is nothing wrong with serving your country. Thou shalt not kill means thou shalt not murder. God Himself had His people kill.entire towns even the women and children. So take that excuse out of the question. The military is for the protection of your country. That is only bad if your country is bad. So ask yourself, is my country bad? If the answer is no then serve Her honorably. Being a chaplin would most likely take killing off the table. And the military needs chaplins.
 
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Northbrook

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Should a Christian join the army? Of course a Christian should join the army! In fact, I could argue that ONLY Christians should join the army. Why would I say such a thing? Because if you are a Christian, you have already done the work of a seeker. You have already sought; and you have FOUND. Found what? SALVATION. This means that if you join the army, and God forbid lose your life, you will go to Heaven. Your faith will save you. But some poor guy or girl who is NOT already a Christian? If they join the army, and lose his or her life, THEY ARE SCREWED. They can't afford to risk their lives/put themselves in harm's way. And why? Because UNLIKE CHRISTIANS LIKE YOU, they are NOT PREPARED TO DIE. So of course you should join the army. The sacrifice you will be making will be rewarded by God in the next life. This includes the sacrifice of enduring the hardships of a soldier, even if you don't lose your life/make the ultimate sacrifice.
 
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JIMINZ

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Should a Christian Join the Army?

SURE:
But only as a Conscientious objector.

Read the book
"The Kingdom of God is withing you".....By Leo Tolstoy

The Kingdom of God is Within You is a non-fiction work written by Leo Tolstoy and was first published in Germany in 1894, after being banned in his home country of Russia.

The title of the book is taken from Luke 17:21.

In the book Tolstoy speaks of the principle of Nonresistance to violence by force, as taught by Jesus.

I recommend this book for all Christians to read.

 
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aiki

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If anyone could offer me some advice on this questioning, it would all be sincerely appreciated. Thank-you all in advance!

I am a Canadian but I would be very unwilling to be a member of our current military force that is under the control of the increasingly leftist/globalist ideologies and politics of our nations leaders. I would find it especially humiliating to serve militarily (or otherwise) under the leadership of our witless, deceitful, child-man Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

But, that aside, have you to this point actually seriously considered what God's will for you in particular might be? If not, the best way to discover it is in the midst of obeying His general will for all of His children. Are you obeying the First and Great Commandment? Are you obeying the Second one? Are you living a Christ-centered life? Are you living a morally-pure life? It will be only in living in accord with these things that God's will just for you will become plain.
 
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TheDonBar

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Should a Christian join the army? Of course a Christian should join the army! In fact, I could argue that ONLY Christians should join the army. Why would I say such a thing? Because if you are a Christian, you have already done the work of a seeker. You have already sought; and you have FOUND. Found what? SALVATION. This means that if you join the army, and God forbid lose your life, you will go to Heaven. Your faith will save you. But some poor guy or girl who is NOT already a Christian? If they join the army, and lose his or her life, THEY ARE SCREWED. They can't afford to risk their lives/put themselves in harm's way. And why? Because UNLIKE CHRISTIANS LIKE YOU, they are NOT PREPARED TO DIE. So of course you should join the army. The sacrifice you will be making will be rewarded by God in the next life. This includes the sacrifice of enduring the hardships of a soldier, even if you don't lose your life/make the ultimate sacrifice.

Wow! Thank you so much, that is honestly so enlightening I have never thought of it that way! Thank you! :)
 
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TheDonBar

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Should a Christian Join the Army?

SURE:
But only as a Conscientious objector.

Read the book
"The Kingdom of God is withing you".....By Leo Tolstoy

I recommend this book for all Christians to read.

Thank you for the suggestion! I am going to check it out!
 
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TheDonBar

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I am a Canadian but I would be very unwilling to be a member of our current military force that is under the control of the increasingly leftist/globalist ideologies and politics of our nations leaders. I would find it especially humiliating to serve militarily (or otherwise) under the leadership of our witless, deceitful, child-man Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

Haha that is true, he is honestly bringing shame to our country and our armed forces. Like cancelling the 10 stealth bombers the Harper government was making NEW. To buy 10 Australian fighter jets in such bad condition oven the RAAF was confused as to why. Anyway, I would prefer not to get into politics, but I do understand where you are coming from! Furthermore, if in my situation I would be in the Royal Military College next summer, and would be there for four years so most likely out of Trudeau's government. Unless (God forbid) he is elected a second time.
 
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TheDonBar

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But, that aside, have you to this point actually seriously considered what God's will for you in particular might be? [/QUOTE]

And that is exactly it, I still don't know his will/plan for me in life. But I will take the advice you have given me to heart. Thank you!
 
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There is nothing wrong with serving your country. Thou shalt not kill means thou shalt not murder. God Himself had His people kill.entire towns even the women and children. So take that excuse out of the question. The military is for the protection of your country. That is only bad if your country is bad. So ask yourself, is my country bad? If the answer is no then serve Her honorably. Being a chaplin would most likely take killing off the table. And the military needs chaplins.

Thank you for clearing things up!
 
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