Should a Christian Join the Army?

[TheDonBar]

The Bible actually says thou shalt not murder. The correct translation for the Hebrew word râtsach means to murder.

Thank you for that clarification! I appreciate it sincerely. Also thank you for the advice that is provided as well! God bless!

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

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[Ken Rank]

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!

I know this will sound simplistic but it really is the best path. Paul said, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." And then James added, "faith without works is dead being alone." So together we must, "hear the word of God and act on what He says."

At this point I throw in one more verse, "the just live by faith."

My suggestion is simple... you live in a beautiful part of the world. Go get out into it, walked around, pray, and listen. I don't think God is against serving in the military (I have my own personal reservations but they are mine, not yours) but if we are His, we must live by faith. And living by faith means hearing His direction and following it. So... I would go get alone and pray and wait for an answer before making any final decisions.

 

[JoeP222w]

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.

The Bible does not command or forbid joining a country's military in a generic sense. Making the process somewhat morally neutral. A Christian can serve in the military while honoring God and being obedient to Him.

However, given the secular, atheistic, socialistic nature of the Canadian government and by extension the Canadian military, one has to count the cost of joining such an organization, knowing that if you are a professing Christian in the Canadian military in it's current state, the likelihood that you will be called to do something, say something or think something in contradiction to the Christian faith is a very high possibility. With serious possible consequences for standing up for your faith.

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.

It is good that you are seeking to be obedient to God, but do so in the light of His inerrant word of the Bible, not by feelings, not by following your heart, or not by peer pressure.

"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.

The more appropriate translation is "you shall not murder". Murder is very different than killing an enemy in defense of your country. God has placed government in power and God has given the state the power to carry out it's laws and to defend the nation. Defending your country is not an automatic violation of the "you shall not murder" command. You must examine every situation you may face being in the military. If a military commands you to violate God's law or prevents you from doing something God has commanded you to do, you again need to count the cost of whether it is better to obey God or to obey man.

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).

Again, being a Chaplain in a secular, atheistic, socialist military will be very challenging to your Christian faith. It is likely you will be asked (or forced) to compromise your Christian faith as a Chaplain.


All of that being said, this is not to say that you are not to join the Canadian military or to join the military. You just need to examine all aspects and as I have said already, you need to count the cost of what it means to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

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[RDKirk]

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

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![/QUOTE]

God's will for your life?

First: Jesus gave His body a specific mission.

Second: Jesus made each of us a member of that body.

God's will for each of our lives begins with each of us performing his or her fragment of His mission. The first question to ask is, "What is my role in the Great Commission."

Everything else is to support that.

Did Paul decide on tentmaking as a career and then do evangelism on the side, or did he make tents to support his evangelism?

 

[RDKirk]

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.

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. -- 1 Corinthians 7

I spent 26 years in the Air Force, and although I was in a technically non-combatant specialty, I also did targeting ("We paint the mark of destruction on the foreheads of our enemies"), and I took active part in snuffing out several hundred civilian lives during the Gulf War.

If one became a medic--or even better, a chaplain or chaplain's assistant--there would be room for a Christian in the military.

But as it is, the military is used more often to maintain and enhance the wealth and power of the king, not protect the nation.

And often, other Christians are the targets.

 

[JoeP222w]

Going to other countries is Conquest Not "Defense"

It's conquest disguised as defense.

So following that logic, the USA should have never gone after Hitler and the Nazi armies?

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

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[Dave L]

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!

Paul tells us not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.

 

[LoricaLady]

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.

That's pretty true, but you don't have to be totally pure and obedient to hear from the Lord. He is very merciful to us and none of us is perfectly holy that I have ever seen. Not to say that increasing obedience doesn't lead to increasing communion with Him.

 

[LoricaLady]

https://missiongalacticfreedom.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/nato-military-bases-around-the-world/

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

If the military sends you out to kill people for nefarious reasons, any kind of impure and unrighteous reasons, then it is murder to kill under such a situation. I'm sure the Father has mercy on those who do what they feel is right, even when it is not, though. On the other hand, if they get really close to Him they can be led away from the wrong paths.

Why should we assume that "the military" is always doing the Father's will? History and common sense would say not to count on that.

 

[JoeP222w]

https://missiongalacticfreedom.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/nato-military-bases-around-the-world/

That does not answer the question.

Do you prefer that we did nothing about Hitler and Nazi Germany (and Japan) in the 1940's?

 

[redleghunter]

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!

Seeing you have a desire for ministry as well, I would recommend missionary work as a first step. This way you are serving people in need in the poorest of nations. It will give you a Christian perspective of those who survive day by day. It will expose you to the most horrible of conditions.

Do this first if this is what you would like to do. Do it without rifle and body armor. After that see where the Lord leads you to serve Him.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

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!

I recommend checking out my explanation and list of verses on New Testament Pacifism in this thread here:

https://www.christianforums.com/thr...-the-new-testament-is-moral-and-good.7977118/

 

[Bible Highlighter]

...have you seen the movie Hacksaw Ridge?

No I have not

If you have not seen the trailer, here it is:

Great movie!
Definitely a must see
(Especially for those who adhere to Christ's teachings on Pacifism).

 

[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

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[Jude1:3Contendforthefaith]

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[Edwin627]

Totally going ignore all the UN missions then?
Also if Canada has similar Rules of Engagement to the UK you cannot take lethal action unless there is an immediate threat to life (innocent or comrades).

Here is my answer:

• All Wars Are Pre Planned Years / Decades in Advance.

• All Major World Events Are Pre Planned Years / Decades in Advance

• All World Leaders Plan Together Major World Scripted Events And Wars

• All War Is Satanic Mass Ritual Human Sacrifice

Proof?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

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!

For God: The mission of God's people is different than the mission of unbelievers (Who are in politics, the police, and the military). While I believe God call us Christians to be Pacifists (under the New Testament or New Covenant), I believe that God uses higher authorities, the police and military as an arm of justice to execute justice upon evil (at certain times). This is what I believe Romans 13 says. It is why we are to submit to higher authorities like governments as long as their authority or laws do not conflict with God's commands. So if we see a crime, we should call 911. For God wants injustice to be stopped. However, God just does not call us to carry out that justice by our own hands, though. For that is not our mission in this life; That would be the mission that God has for this world. Angels have a different mission. Just as Christian's have a different mission. The Christian's mission is to preach the gospel, help the poor, and love his enemies. We are to love God and love our neighbors. We are to follow Jesus and His commands. That is our mission. Nowhere does Jesus ever say that we should kill others for our country. In fact, the Bible says we are to follow Christ's example. Nowhere does Jesus ever harm another human being. In fact, when Peter harmed another with a sword, He rebuked him and said that He could have called down a ton of angels to protect Himself. So beforehand, when Christ told his disciples to buy a sword, they were confused and misunderstood Him (like other times). They bought the wrong kind of sword. Jesus was referring to the spiritual "sword of the Spirit" (i.e. the Word of God).