Should a Christian go to war?

Blue sapphire · Oct 18, 2010

Crepplin159 said:
The Israelites fought many battles which God told them to right

That is correct and His instructions were clear.....yet when He sent His Son He sent another message.

Jesus the Saviour of all men......the King of Kings, came not as a military leader but with a message of salvation.

In this message and in His life.......what did you see.

I see faith in God......handing it over to Him as crucial.

If you see a need to also defend your nation......this is another opinion....this is your walk and I would not criticise you.......but it is not what I see.

godisreal36 · Dec 23, 2010

Murder is wrong but is murder the same as killing? Killing is also wrong. But are all gods people he sent into battle in the old testament, are they sinners for engaging in war? No i don't think so anyways. We all hate and therefor are are guilty of murder. We are all murderers. (I love this hate is murder thing, it works so well). I wonder if any who are against war, if the enemy came tomorrow and was going to kill and rape your family, would you go to war to save them? And any that are for war, is the war just, are you sure? Do you engage in war for loves sake or for hates sake? And the anti war person, do you appose the war out of love or hate? Hate breeds war i think. We are all guilty of hate and therefor war also. Love is true.

Algol Omega · Jan 1, 2011

Murder does not equate to killing, especially not in the ancient languages and cultures of Judaism and Judeo-Christianity.

Whether or not you go to war is your own conviction, and whether or not someone else doesn't go is their own conviction. Some should, but not everyone can. But it is required that some take death over life for others to live; it was the case when Jesus put himself up on the cross, and is the case today.

tsr · Apr 13, 2011

I enlisted in the US Army for 3 years during the View Nam war. I was prepared to go over if needed. Would I go Yes!!! It was my duty whether I agreed or not. I am proud of my country and would defend it. I have witnessed a lot of draft dodgers back then and have no respect for them at all. They can't come back to the US and good reddens as far as I'm concerned.

DeaneRenata · Jun 21, 2011

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.

The thing is i am a christian and I was bullied by my little sister which I perceived as being a gesture opposite pf peace, one of hostility. The mistreatment of people is always hostility, and I was told to discipline her. Really you guys I am not sure how to answer his question.

Ishraqiyun · Jul 2, 2011

Mk 3:27 In fact, no one can enter a strong mans house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strongman. Then he can rob his
house. x

The strong man has traditionally been understood to be Satan who is the god of this world. Christ binds him and takes his possessions (you and I). So binding strong men isn't such a bad thing really.

VolRaider · Jul 13, 2011

If someone breaks in my house and threathens my family, I'm gonna put a world of hurt on them.

Blue sapphire · Jul 14, 2011

utmtsumethodist said:
If someone breaks in my house and threathens my family, I'm gonna put a world of hurt on them.

Sure......but would you go to war to defend your nation......and what if that nation was coming under a punishment from the Almighty. Should you still defend it?

Who determines the outcome of any war......isn't the outcome according to the will of our Maker.

VolRaider · Jul 14, 2011

Blue sapphire said:
Sure......but would you go to war to defend your nation......and what if that nation was coming under a punishment from the Almighty. Should you still defend it?

Who determines the outcome of any war......isn't the outcome according to the will of our Maker.

How am I supposed to know if a nation is being punished by the Almighty? You think South Sudan was getting punked because they took the side of God and fought against the Muslim, tyrannical North?

What if murderous Japan had made their way into your nation during WWII? Would you just let them come into your yard and go "Nanking" on you, just like they did in China? I have daughters - if they tried that junk in my house, then they would have been put in the dirt.

Personally, I don't think God takes sides in wars. We're all flawed human beings.

Blue sapphire · Jul 15, 2011

utmtsumethodist said:
How am I supposed to know if a nation is being punished by the Almighty? You think South Sudan was getting punked because they took the side of God and fought against the Muslim, tyrannical North?

What if murderous Japan had made their way into your nation during WWII? Would you just let them come into your yard and go "Nanking" on you, just like they did in China? I have daughters - if they tried that junk in my house, then they would have been put in the dirt.

Personally, I don't think God takes sides in wars. We're all flawed human beings.

God is well aware of all the acts of man, far before they happen......the future is in His hands.

Can He change the course of history......of course....

The Bible has many prophecies telling us that He has already set the course of history, of nations and the wars fought over them. The book of Daniel and Revelation are clear on this.

The outcome of any war is in His hands.....

How are you supposed to know if He has a plan to humble a nation......that is a good question and one all Christians should ask before they seek to go to war.

VolRaider · Jul 17, 2011

Blue sapphire said:
God is well aware of all the acts of man, far before they happen......the future is in His hands.

Can He change the course of history......of course....

The Bible has many prophecies telling us that He has already set the course of history, of nations and the wars fought over them. The book of Daniel and Revelation are clear on this.

The outcome of any war is in His hands.....

How are you supposed to know if He has a plan to humble a nation......that is a good question and one all Christians should ask before they seek to go to war.

Believe me, my nation has been humbled. We have sacrificed our privacy to the Patriot Act thanks to the Islamafacists getting lucky ONE TIME (World Trade Center - even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then). Then the housing bubble burst, thanks to many people wanting bigger houses than they could afford (thank you very much, Clinton and Frank). The economy is slogging along, 300+ tornadoes pounded the American South this spring, our only two political parties are keeping us in massive debt, our public education system is slowly being dismantled by "reformers"......
Believe me, we've been humbled. I don't here anybody I know walking around talking about how superior we are. But if we're attacked, we're gonna strike back. I personally think God would be bewildered if we didn't defend our children.

VolRaider · Jul 18, 2011

I mentioned that I don't believe God takes sides with countries in wars. That's what I believe - I always like to emphasize that I actually do not know. Since I do not know, I'm not going to sit around in my yard wondering if I deserve a beatdown while some gaggle of clowns from another country destroys my neighborhood.

Then again, maybe we ARE being humbled. After all, Bush's arrogance in Iraq was an incredible blunder. He showed no humility during that episode (flying in on that carrier stating "mission accomplished" was a joke). There is a little arrogance here, particularly with preachers who adopt the Calvinist idea that we are God's gift to Planet Earth and everybody else stinks.

But again - like I said - I don't know. I can't read God's mind.

Blue sapphire · Jul 18, 2011

utmtsumethodist said:
Believe me, my nation has been humbled. We have sacrificed our privacy to the Patriot Act thanks to the Islamafacists getting lucky ONE TIME (World Trade Center - even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then). Then the housing bubble burst, thanks to many people wanting bigger houses than they could afford (thank you very much, Clinton and Frank). The economy is slogging along, 300+ tornadoes pounded the American South this spring, our only two political parties are keeping us in massive debt, our public education system is slowly being dismantled by "reformers"......
Believe me, we've been humbled. I don't here anybody I know walking around talking about how superior we are. But if we're attacked, we're gonna strike back. I personally think God would be bewildered if we didn't defend our children.

Yes the first reaction is to defend our country against the attackers.

May I suggest another. God is well aware of any potential aggressor....nothing happens unless He allows it.

So to have our Creator on our side as a nation......wouldn't a people repenting of their sin and having a contrite heart be seen by Him as one worthy of defending.

Isn't it a humble heart the LORD is looking for. If a nation were to humble themselves and turn back to their Maker......could He not confound the plans of the aggressor.

Is this likely to happen......hardly.....the whole world is under the influence of the prince of the power of the air and many are deceived.

To come out of this world.....in the spiritual sense.....is not easy for the blind lead the blind.

It is only Gods mercy on us that leads us to Christ and out of this world. (Eph 2)

So if we are being lead out of this world in the spiritual sense......and God brings the aggressor upon our nation.....should we defend that nation.....can He not defend us. Can He not lead us to a place of safety before He brings the aggressor.

And if He doesn't....should we have faith in Him that we are in His hands.

These things can be very difficult.......can you imagine being Daniels three friends before King Nebuchadnezzar......defying the King....staring death in the face, with the King flying into a rage.

And these three say that God can rescue them and if He doesn't they still will not bow before the King.

Yes it takes much faith.......yet even this is a gift from above.

Rev.Ross · Aug 4, 2011

We are in agreement. War is from human sin. I have seen the destruction of war and the people coming back severely injured. Jesus would not drop a bomb or shoot a person or stab them with a bayonet. That is my opinion which I base on the teaching of Jesu to love our enemy.
Thanks, Rev. Ross

tripp · Aug 4, 2011

look through out history christians have been have fought in many wars some have been defending nation and some have been defending your faith. As chriatian sometimes we have to go and fight and die if need be to protect your family and the way of life for us. so yes i thing we should go to war but only for the right reasons

Blue sapphire · Aug 5, 2011

tripp said:
look through out history christians have been have fought in many wars some have been defending nation and some have been defending your faith. As chriatian sometimes we have to go and fight and die if need be to protect your family and the way of life for us. so yes i thing we should go to war but only for the right reasons

And you don't believe that God can fight that war for you......does He need you to do it.....can you in fact help win the war, if He has already determined the outcome.

Isn't war about defending what we have......yet wasn't it the Almighty who gave us all we have....including the ability to acquire it.

So what He gave us, He is now going to take away from us......by bringing the aggressor upon us.....by terrorising us.

Is this the action of a God of Love..... yes for He is both a God of mercy & justice. So if a judgement is falling upon a nation and He is bringing the aggressor to punish it......what is the best way to defend that nation.

Surely the best way is the way that pleases Him.......and that is to turn back to Him.....with a contrite heart.....repenting of our sin.

Turn to Jesus, the Captain of our salvation. The one through whom God created the whole world.

Going to war to fight the aggressor......while not understanding why God is doing it, seems futile.

His will.... will prevail.

Steve Petersen · Aug 5, 2011

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.

There is the commandment not to stand idly by while your neighbor's blood is at stake (Lev. 19:16)

Helenm12 · Sep 6, 2011

Righteous warfare is one of the characteristics of God. In Exodus 15:13 the Lord is described as a "man of war." Whenever we read, "the Lord almighty" in scripture, the literal meaning is "the Lord of armies" (Adonai Tzevaot in Hebrew, with tseva meaning army).

MostRadicalManEver · Sep 7, 2011

just pointing out the OP question is specific about Christians. NT precepts are non violent.

Blue sapphire · Nov 14, 2011

tripp said:
look through out history christians have been have fought in many wars some have been defending nation and some have been defending your faith. As chriatian sometimes we have to go and fight and die if need be to protect your family and the way of life for us. so yes i thing we should go to war but only for the right reasons

Isn't our warfare against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)

And our weapons, the sword of the Spirit......the Word of God.

In this Spiritual warfare isn't...
to love more powerful than to hate,
to forgive more powerful than to resent
to bless more powerful than to curse
to be thankful more powerful than to complain

& when we pray for these in the name of Jesus......our Father hears us and answers our prayer. Can He not win any battle for us if we trust in Him.

Isn't this the war we need to win.........and when we don't our resentments & jealousies turn to hatred and hatred turns to war of the physical kind.

And now the Christian is asked to fight this physical war for those who have lost the spiritual war.....is that what God has called us to do in Christ.

Should a Christian go to war?

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