Can a Christian be a professional soldier?

[tonychanyt]

Yes, according to John the Baptizer, Luke 3:

14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”

John didn't tell them to quit their jobs.

God uses his army, Matthew 22:

7 The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

Some centurions in the NT became Christians and I don't think they quit their day jobs.

A Christian soldier must strive to act justly, even in the context of war, and avoid unnecessary violence or harm to civilians. If it bothers your conscience to be a soldier, you should quit.

See also Thou shalt not kill or murder?.

 

[RamiC]

I cannot make the link work, is it right?

 

[tonychanyt]

I cannot make the link work, is it right?

I just updated it. Thanks for letting me know

 

[Mark Quayle]

Yes, according to John the Baptizer, Luke 3:


John didn't tell them to quit their jobs.

God uses his army, Matthew 22:


Some centurions in the NT became Christians and I don't think they quit their day jobs.

A Christian soldier must strive to act justly, even in the context of war, and avoid unnecessary violence or harm to civilians. If it bothers your conscience to be a soldier, you should quit.

See also Thou shalt not kill or murder?.

Another question might be, Can a Christian be a mercenary?

 

[RamiC]

This is really a point over which all our different Christian denominations and histories can take us to very different places. I grew up hearing sermon after sermon on the difference between "the act of murder" (forbidden) and "kill" (acceptable when it is part of your job, in an army, for a country where Christians are free) because the church was located such that it was half full of soldiers. Sometimes when a fair number of them came back home at once, the civilian adults would be asked to make their confessions in another church, because the queue was so long.

Peace and healing from violence do however seem to be very important, and who better to inpire the younger adults in my country (who are exposed to knife crime more than ever before), than those Christians who do feel compelled never to take up the sword (or a gun)?

 

[NBB]

Politicians rarely fight for 'just causes' is just their greed and pride, and there would be no wars if they had to go to the front themselves,
i believe killing is a serious sin and christians shouldn't be involved in killing unless is to defend life.

 

[RamiC]

Politicians rarely fight for 'just causes' is just their greed and pride, and there would be no wars if they had to go to the front themselves,
i believe killing is a serious sin and christians shouldn't be involved in killing unless is to defend life.

I believe you certainly have the right to refuse to be a soldier yourself, but Luke 3:14, as cited in the OP, appears to indicate that Christians can be in the military.

 

[KevinT]

Yes, according to John the Baptizer, Luke 3: ....

A Christian soldier must strive to act justly, even in the context of war, and avoid unnecessary violence or harm to civilians. If it bothers your conscience to be a soldier, you should quit. (kt added emphasis)

I just watched another episode of the Ken Burns documentary on the Vietnam war last night. What a horrible and awful mess. I saw many honest and well-intentioned people following orders, but who were led by bumbling fools at the top of the bureaucracy -- unjustly causing untold death and misery. In this situation, many wanted to quit but were not able to. Either they were drafted, or they had signed up for a rotation that they didn't understand. And they couldn't leave until that cycle was completed.

War is awful and not in accordance to God's ideal plan -- where there will be no more suffering or tears. But I don't know how to work out what should be done here and now. Without soldiers, we might be overrun by radicals beheading people for their beliefs.

What we really need is guidance by God.

KT

 

[tonychanyt]

Another question might be, Can a Christian be a mercenary?

That's more problematic. If a mercenary's work aligns with protecting the innocent or upholding justice, then it could be morally justifiable. If the motivation is purely financial, it would likely conflict with Christian ethics. Ask the Paraclete in your conscience: Are you doing the right thing? Ultimately, we are answerable to God.

 

[timothyu]

Might it not depend on whether they were policing rather than warriors?