Should a Christian go to war?

Blue sapphire · Apr 19, 2009

LJSGM said:
It's amazing once you realize what you're missing... Like a watch that you've lost but because you didn't realize, you're not going to go looking for it. But now that you know what it is you're missing, you go looking for, searching everywhere.

Please explain LJ.

TG123 · Apr 19, 2009

Blue sapphire said:
Please explain LJ.

Yeah, I'm curious too as to what you meant when you said that.

Nobody1 · Jun 9, 2009

Blue sapphire said:
Hi...just wanted some feed back on this question.

I don't believe we should. When I ask the question would Christ go to war....I do not get an answer from the New testament that He would.

Also wars are judgments on man from God.

So if a judgment is falling upon a nation....should a Christian defend such a nation.

Cannot The Almighty defend those He loves....and if He chooses to let those He loves die....is it not for a good reason.

God obviously believes differently.

Who are you to judge people fighting wars for freedom?

Or David or Abraham or Moses or Joshua? Or even Jesus who praised the Roman Centurion.

Your smug judgements and accusations against your Christian neighbors are worthless for anything but praise from men.

Dixiecup · Jul 13, 2009

If you are a Christian serving in the military, you clearly know what may expected of you. I can say this as a former naval officer. Your duty is to defend your country. Remember this; under Heaven there is a time for everything.

TG123 · Jul 24, 2009

Nobody1 said:
God obviously believes differently.

Who are you to judge people fighting wars for freedom?

Or David or Abraham or Moses or Joshua? Or even Jesus who praised the Roman Centurion.

Your smug judgements and accusations against your Christian neighbors are worthless for anything but praise from men.

I don't judge people, I judge their actions. God said we must love our enemies. He also said that if we condemn others He will condemn us.

This message was not yet revealed to David or Moses or Joshua, it was revealed through Jesus. Jesus did not praise the Roman centurion for being a centurion, He praised him for his faith.

Which "wars for freedom" are you referring to? Because, as you know, both the Taleban and the US and Canadian army are claiming to fight a war for the freedom of people in Afghanistan. So did the Germans and Russians b/w 1942 and 1945 as they burned and slaughtered and raped their way through Ukraine.

NIF · Jul 28, 2009

As a Christian, I know that war is a sin and Christians should not go to war. Repaying evil with evil is not the right thing to do.

Still, I personally believe that people and countries have the right to defend themselves. Obviously, I don't have all the answers, but I know that most every war has been completely unnecessary.

Here are some of my insights about wars we have been involved in:

Slavery was wrong and inhumane. However, millions of Americans lining up to murder one another on the battlefield, with nearly 1 million dead and several hundred thousand more maimed, was even more evil.

WWI: Horrible fratricidal war, killing millions. This began over the political assassination of one Archduke from Austria-Hungary!

WWII: Started as a result of WWI "the war to end all wars". Hitler's occupation of Western Poland and the German Regions of Czechoslovakia was not a good thing, to be sure. But the alliance with the Soviet Union (the most murderous regime on the planet), the slaughter of over 50 million innocent civilians on BOTH sides of the conflict, and the rise of international Communism and Zionism were far worse.

Korean War: Firebombs, biological, and chemical weapons were used by "God fearing" democracies to slaughter millions of Koreans who dared to form a Nationalistic Government and reunify their country.

You get the picture...

Rao · Sep 24, 2009

I would certainly not "go to war".

If there was an immediate threat locally, I would fight to defend myself, my family, and innocent bystanders, but I might just as well run to the hills as soon as possible...

I pray that I'd never need to fight

Alaskan_Frontier · Sep 24, 2009

I think national defense is ok, and I think there is nothing wrong with Christians defending themselves or their country. I dont believe we should invade other countries for the sake of "insert reason here". I also believe it is ok to help out countries if they are being invaded. If we are not suppose to defend ourselves and go to war, I guess there wont be a battle of Gog and Magog.

czali · Oct 27, 2009

No. God would defeat our enemies if only we would have the faith to let Him.

When we shed blood, we are then accused, and rightly so, by the enemy, of shedding blood aren't we.

Aibrean · Oct 28, 2009

czali said:
No. God would defeat our enemies if only we would have the faith to let Him.

When we shed blood, we are then accused, and rightly so, by the enemy, of shedding blood aren't we.

Have you read the old testament? God didn't just smite, he used his followers as a tool to smite.

Christos Anesti · Oct 31, 2009

Very tough question and certainly something Christians should give a lot of thought to! Thanks for asking. I still struggle with understanding every detail of this issue. I've come to the conclusion that one should avoid war like the plauge. In many ways I hold absolute non-violence as the ideal. I'm not certain what is appropriate though in direct defense of ones child for example? I know we are called to the ideal of self sacrifice but should we allow our own child to die when we could fight to defend him or her? Is there a differnce between the duty of a monastic or clergy and a lay person in defending others? Questions like that are a little tougher.

I've been doing some reading at the Orthodox Peace Fellowship web page and I think it's a great resource.

I am a soldier of Christ. To fight is not permissible for me.

St Martin of Tours [while still an army officer, explaining his unwillingness to take part in battle]

What are the interests of our country, but the inconveniences of another state or nation? that is, to extend the boundaries which are violently taken from others, to increase the power of the state, to improve the revenues, all which things are not virtues, but the overthrowing of virtues: for, in the first place, the union of human society is taken away, innocence is taken away, the abstaining from the property of another is taken away; lastly, justice itself is taken away, which is unable to bear the tearing asunder of the human race, and wherever arms have glittered, must be banished and exterminated from thence.

How can a man be just who injures, hates, despoils and puts to death? Yet they who strive to be serviceable to their country do all these things: for they are ignorant of what this being serviceable is, who think nothing useful, nothing advantageous, but that which can be held by the hand; and this alone cannot be held, because it may be snatched away.

Lactantius, the Divine Institutes

Blue sapphire · Jan 10, 2010

Should a christian go to war? First, the question should be....is this what God would want of me.

Now God does not need man to fight His wars.......rather He uses man to fight wars for a number of reasons. To bring His judgments upon sinful man is one reason He cites in the Old Testament. Wars bring hardship....both to the conquerer and the conquered.

The victor....if there is one....receives his pay in the wealth he confiscates.....often at a heavy price.

However the victor will only be according to Gods will.

So God does not need us to fight any war......but if it is His will that a Christian does fight in a war....it would only be for the edification of that Christian....and only He knows the heart.

If a nation is to be attacked.....is not God aware of that intent and outcome. Can He not prevent it.....does He need man to prevent it.

Not at all........man believes he needs to defend or attack to protect what he has. We live in a sinful world.....war is just one of the outcomes of disobedience to the Creator.

So if a nation turns back to their Maker....repents of their evil ways.....can He not spare that nation from the aggressor who at His will..... is coming to punish that nation.

Would a nation do such a thing and repent.....not likely....for all are deceived by Satan......the prince of the power of the air.....the god of this world.

Wirraway · Mar 31, 2010

Blue sapphire said:
Hi...just wanted some feed back on this question.

I don't believe we should. When I ask the question would Christ go to war....I do not get an answer from the New testament that He would.

Also wars are judgments on man from God.

So if a judgment is falling upon a nation....should a Christian defend such a nation.

Cannot The Almighty defend those He loves....and if He chooses to let those He loves die....is it not for a good reason.

Dad's troop transport was torpedoed in the Med (German U Boat), Uncle is buried in an unmarked grave in the Philippines (courtesy of the Imperial Japanese Army) and I spent years watch standing in the North Atlantic (Cold War) and ... it was all for nothing?

If only you'd have told told us.

Blue sapphire · Apr 10, 2010

Wirraway said:
Dad's troop transport was torpedoed in the Med (German U Boat), Uncle is buried in an unmarked grave in the Philippines (courtesy of the Imperial Japanese Army) and I spent years watch standing in the North Atlantic (Cold War) and ... it was all for nothing?

If only you'd have told told us.

It has been my experience that a person can be told or warned or advised.....however unless that person has been granted the insight from above to understand the issue....the words will fall on deaf ears.

Gaining insight to the many and varied ways that our Creator operates is a real blessing.

Pray earnestly..... that He will give you insight, to understand His will for you. It is as King Solomon says....search for wisdom as you would search for hidden treasures.

This wisdom is far more valuable than hidden treasures and just as difficult to find.

Christos Anesti · Sep 21, 2010

There are stories in the lives of the saints of soliders in the Roman army who refused to fight once they became Christians and suffered martyrdom because of it. Once Rome became "offically" Christian though you started to see a lot less of this. Monastics as a general rule have stuck by their non-violence guns so to speak though throughout Christian history. Yeah, there are a few cases I've read of angry mobs of monks burning places down and fighting but they weren't the greatest monks and don't really represent the general trend imo.

covefromoz · Oct 5, 2010

I think the principal of "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" could be adapted here as well.

If you are part of a nation, then you should support their military. You should pray for the leaders of your nation that God would be gracious and give us peace...but if the nation goes to war and you are in the military...well it's your JOB to defend this nation, and going to war is part of that job.

I'm a server and studying to be a Linguist. If my country needs me as a translator during a time of war, I must give to my country what it needs of me and give to God what He needs of me. I don't think God supports any war or any side more than the other, but in this world...wars happen. And so because I am a part of this nation, I must defend this nation and give it what aid I can.

Do I want to kill people? No, I don't. But Israel was instructed to kill people all the time, and we can't just throw out the Old Testament because we've got a New one. They are both working together. God didn't abolish the Old Testament, he fulfilled it through Jesus. I don't want to kill someone...but if my nation is being attacked and I am called upon to defend it...well...I'll have to do that. It's part of my duty to the country in which I live.

Ultimately I am a citizen of God's Kingdom and an heir to His Kingdom...but for now we're stuck in this physical world and so I have to do what I must to defend the place that I am at, if I'm called upon to do that.

Blue sapphire · Oct 14, 2010

covefromoz said:
I think the principal of "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" could be adapted here as well.

If you are part of a nation, then you should support their military. You should pray for the leaders of your nation that God would be gracious and give us peace...but if the nation goes to war and you are in the military...well it's your JOB to defend this nation, and going to war is part of that job.

I'm a server and studying to be a Linguist. If my country needs me as a translator during a time of war, I must give to my country what it needs of me and give to God what He needs of me. I don't think God supports any war or any side more than the other, but in this world...wars happen. And so because I am a part of this nation, I must defend this nation and give it what aid I can.

Do I want to kill people? No, I don't. But Israel was instructed to kill people all the time, and we can't just throw out the Old Testament because we've got a New one. They are both working together. God didn't abolish the Old Testament, he fulfilled it through Jesus. I don't want to kill someone...but if my nation is being attacked and I am called upon to defend it...well...I'll have to do that. It's part of my duty to the country in which I live.

Ultimately I am a citizen of God's Kingdom and an heir to His Kingdom...but for now we're stuck in this physical world and so I have to do what I must to defend the place that I am at, if I'm called upon to do that.

Defend the nation you are in.....umm....is not God able to do this....can He not do a better job. Was Jesus sent to destroy His enemies by military might?

Better a Christian live a God fearing life showing by example the fruits of the Spirit....if you can do this and be consistant at it...who knows how God will bless a person, community and nation because of this type of behaviour.

Prov 16:7. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

christian78 · Oct 16, 2010

Blue sapphire said:
Defend the nation you are in.....umm....is not God able to do this....can He not do a better job. Was Jesus sent to destroy His enemies by military might?

Do you believe if a country like Isreal disbanded it's army today, their enemies would not succeed against them?

Afterall, if our work was as successful as it's called to be and this entire country consisted of Christian men and women and we ALL laid down our arms; what then? In today's world, wouldn't we forever be ruled by evil? If ruled at all?

Blue sapphire · Oct 16, 2010

christian78 said:
Do you believe if a country like Isreal disbanded it's army today, their enemies would not succeed against them?

Afterall, if our work was as successful as it's called to be and this entire country consisted of Christian men and women and we ALL laid down our arms; what then? In today's world, wouldn't we forever be ruled by evil? If ruled at all?

You raise good points christian.......yes in the eyes of man and with the lot the we have been give in this present age......this would appear correct.

However I seek to offer another point of view.....based on the age to come...the soon coming Kingdom of God....Jesus spoke of.

Focusing on this future kingdom and Christ's rule of it.......what evil is allowed to manifest in this present age is only as God will tolerate and this is a Sovereign issue.

This world as we know it, is passing on ......God in His wisdom has seen fit to allow the sin issue.....which is disobedience to Him...... to become manifest and the consequences of it.

So focusing on the future Kindgom with Christs rule of it......the question needs to be asked do we need to defend what we have in this age......cannot God do this.

Now this is a matter of faith and guidance from above. These are not easy matters to resolve in small periods of time.......our spiritual walk takes a lifetime.

So there are some who will agree with my understanding and there are some who will disagree. Who is correct?

Can I suggest that as both parties search for answers......each can come to a different understanding over time.

There is much we believe we understand. This understanding, we continually need to re-address.......for there is so much more we fail to understand.

Understanding the ways of our Maker will go on for eternity.

Crepplin159 · Oct 17, 2010

The Israelites fought many battles which God told them to right

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