Is killing in war a sin?

[CtChrono]

I'm soon to be an MP in the National Guard and I know that theres a good chance I will go to Iraq. My question is would it be a sin if I killed a terrorist who was trying to kill us?

 

[justanobserver]

just my opinion but my answer is no, its not a sin nor morally wrong. I myself was a grunt when I was in. As long as you are following the rules of engagement IAW the law, I dont see where you can be sinning in the eyes of God. But there are christians here that can give you the scriptural basis for your question. Its in Romans I think.

I wish you the best in your career.

 

[E_Powers]

i have seen some debate about it here in christian forums. so i encourage you to search though the bible your self. but i do recall God commanding the Isrealites to utterly destroy their enemies. and even Jesus's deciples were armed. (one cut off and ear the Jesus healed). It is a great way show love to help defend others that cannot be defended.

 

[SH89]

My question is would it be a sin if I killed a terrorist who was trying to kill us?

No, it's not a sin to kill a insurgent/terrorist who is trying to kill you.

Both Christ and John the Baptist have encountered soldiers on their ministries.

John the Baptist:
luke 3: 14 Then some soldiers asked him[john the baptist], "And what should we do?"
He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."

The general crowd, the taw collectors, and soldiers asked John what they should do. In verse 14, it is the soldier's turn, and they ask what they should do. If killing others in combat is a sin or not right before God, then John the Baptist should of condemned them right then and there. However, John simply commands them to "Not extort money and to not accuse people falsely—be to be content with your pay." John the Baptist does not condemn the role of soldiers in combat. Remember that John the Baptist is the greatest of the prophets and the greatest of men.

Jesus of course encountered a centurion(Roman officer in charge of 100 men), and did not condemn him or the role of the soldier at all. In fact, Jesus said that the soldier had the greatest faith that he had seen-greater that any faith in Israel.

But there are christians here that can give you the scriptural basis for your question. Its in Romans I think.

You are correct; the passage is in romans .

For he[the government/governmental authorities] is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he[the government/governmental authorities] does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.(romans 13:4)

The government has the right to use capital punishment on criminals .

 

[christian1234]

you can read the history of the crusaders and even find that the pope forgave them for killing. I would just make every effort to make sure that he is an enemy combatant and Im sure your rules of engagement will clearly define that.

 

[Timmothy]

There is no justifieding killing a person, but if it has to be done it has to be done, pray for them afterwards, and ask forgiveness from Jesus The Christ...

 

[inquisitor_11]

For its first 300 odd years (until it became a state religion, and was began being used to justify doing things the worlds way) christianity was a religion that was unequivocably anti-war. IIRC Tertullian, one of the early christian apologists made it clear that those who were soldiers and wanted to became christians had to leave the army, and any christians who went to become soldiers were put out of the church. I personally have come to the conclusion that for me to continue to follow Christ, I need to leave the army. Why? Because, IMO, soldiering and discipleship are different roads.

However, it is your decision, and you are called to be faithful to God, not to the arguments of people.

 

[darknights]

it is not a sin to kill in war time. or to serve your country by killing in war. as long as the reasons are right. abviously hitler killed in war but i think it will count against him.

 

[Gunny]

IMHO, it is not.

 

[theartist87]

Israel went to war a bunch way back in the day (Bible times).... In my opinion, it is not wrong to kill in war... but it is something that you should pray about, and decide for yourself.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

No it is not. Plenty of Biblical examples to back that statment up. Unfortunately, they are all in the Old Testament.

 

[jon paine]

In this you can do no wrong if God commands it, according to the scriptures. The Ten Commandments say, "Thou shalt not kill," but other verses in the Bible allow for killing, even command it, under certain circumstances. Here are some Bible verses that pertain:

Kill them all, Men, Women, and Children
"Then I heard the LORD say to the other men, "Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them all – old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin your task right here at the Temple." So they began by killing the seventy leaders. "Defile the Temple!" the LORD commanded. "Fill its courtyards with the bodies of those you kill! Go!" So they went throughout the city and did as they were told." (Ezekiel 9:5-7 NLT)

May kill Men, Women, old people and children:
"You are my battle-ax and sword," says the LORD. "With you I will shatter nations and destroy many kingdoms. With you I will shatter armies, destroying the horse and rider, the chariot and charioteer. With you I will shatter men and women, old people and children, young men and maidens..." (Jeremiah 51:20-26)
(Note that after God promises the Israelites a victory against Babylon, the Israelites actually get their butts kicked by them in the next chapter. So much for an all-knowing and all-powerful God.)


God will also use foreign combatants to do his will:
Anyone who is captured will be run through with a sword. Their little children will be dashed to death right before their eyes. Their homes will be sacked and their wives raped by the attacking hordes. For I will stir up the Medes against Babylon, and no amount of silver or gold will buy them off. The attacking armies will shoot down the young people with arrows. They will have no mercy on helpless babies and will show no compassion for the children. (Isaiah 13:15-18 NLT)

(Being a soldier for God is not for the weak of heart.)

 

[Harlan Norris]

I'm soon to be an MP in the National Guard and I know that theres a good chance I will go to Iraq. My question is would it be a sin if I killed a terrorist who was trying to kill us?

Well, you have placed yourself in quite a pickel.Many in this forum would say that anyone you kill in the middle east,is a terrorist.They will say that the old testament prophets warred on certain of those that God told them to,killing even the animals.However,as far as I'm aware,no prophet has said this war is the will of God.GWB has said this war is about freedom for the Iraci's.It appears that freedom from us, is what they want now,and they are fighting for it.Just like we would if they were over here.And the people that have the most to lose will fight the hardest.This is why the so called insurgents are largely Suni's.Weve done terrible things in Irac.Now were kidnapping the wives of those we want in custody,and putting them in prison.God knows what is happening to them in there. What are the commandments of Jesus?Love God with all your heart and all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.Now, with this in mind,ask again if it is a sin to kill Iraci's.

 

[3girls2dogs]

Well, you have placed yourself in quite a pickel.Many in this forum would say that anyone you kill in the middle east,is a terrorist.They will say that the old testament prophets warred on certain of those that God told them to,killing even the animals.However,as far as I'm aware,no prophet has said this war is the will of God.GWB has said this war is about freedom for the Iraci's.It appears that freedom from us, is what they want now,and they are fighting for it.Just like we would if they were over here.And the people that have the most to lose will fight the hardest.This is why the so called insurgents are largely Suni's.Weve done terrible things in Irac.Now were kidnapping the wives of those we want in custody,and putting them in prison.God knows what is happening to them in there. What are the commandments of Jesus?Love God with all your heart and all your strength and love your neighbor as yourself.Now, with this in mind,ask again if it is a sin to kill Iraci's.

Well hi. Let me be the first to welcome you to the Military Forum. Just want to point you to this sticky if you are going to be a regular here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1149651-purpose-of-the-cf-military-forum-17-sep-05.html

And please pay particular attention to this part here:

Please note that any discussion of justification of military actions/ political aspects of military actions are to be done in the Political forums and discussion of the Christian ethic of military service/action should be discussed in General Theology or Congregational forum.

Nice to meet you and again...welcome.

 

[inquisitor_11]

In addition to that however, this forum is designed to suppport military members, and IMHO that should include making room for their own questions and doubts about their profession and faith.

It would be inappropriate for a military support forum to only allow positive comments about serving God and being in the military.

 

[3girls2dogs]

In addition to that however, this forum is designed to suppport military members, and IMHO that should include making room for their own questions and doubts about their profession and faith.

It would be inappropriate for a military support forum to only allow positive comments about serving God and being in the military.

I have no issues with the OP or his question. I hope that he finds the right answers for his own heart and to help him with his choice. This forum is not the place, however, for people to just pop in and offer their opinions on what they think this war is about. When I made my post, it was to the poster I quoted, just to remind him of that.

 

[Harlan Norris]

Well hi. Let me be the first to welcome you to the Military Forum. Just want to point you to this sticky if you are going to be a regular here:

http://www.christianforums.com/t1149651-purpose-of-the-cf-military-forum-17-sep-05.html

And please pay particular attention to this part here:



Nice to meet you and again...welcome.

Well, the post is in a forum that is open to all members.The question is about whether or not it is a sin to kill the enemy in war.Clearly,I answered according to the confines of the question.In my answer I did not say it was a sin.I simply said he could consider that it quite possibly is.However it's his call,because it's his life.

 

[BasicFaithKid]

I'm soon to be an MP in the National Guard and I know that theres a good chance I will go to Iraq. My question is would it be a sin if I killed a terrorist who was trying to kill us?

No I do not believe killing in war is a sin I would call it self defense it would be a sin though to kill an surrendering terrorist or an unarmed terrorist during war time that is what I believe about that subject

 

[BasicFaithKid]

Well, the post is in a forum that is open to all members.The question is about whether or not it is a sin to kill the enemy in war.Clearly,I answered according to the confines of the question.In my answer I did not say it was a sin.I simply said he could consider that it quite possibly is.However it's his call,because it's his life.

I agree to what you said about the particular ? though as I said in my response to the original ? I believe it is not a sin if he is threatening his life in any way unless he is unarmed of surrendering

 

[Texan]

http://www.bible.com/bibleanswers_result.php?id=219