Christians and War: Three Viewpoints Holy War – A crusade of Good against Evil Just (justifiable) War – Limited war that is tragic but necessary for the cause of justice, freedom, and peace Pacifism – Nonviolent love

Christians and War: Three Viewpoints Common Ground – Holy War and Just War = God occasionally calls His people to kill enemies – Just War and Pacifism = Initial instinct against violence – Holy War and Pacifism = Clear biblical examples

Christians and War: Three Viewpoints Common Ground – All three agree that nothing is worth living for that is not worth dying for – All three agree that courage is necessary if one wishes to follow God faithfully – All three value sacrifice – All three believe that Christians should love their enemies

Christians and War: Three Viewpoints Disclaimer – Christian responses to war are not about “positions” – No Christian has a stake in defending any “position” in and of itself – Christian responses to war are about faithful discipleship

HOLY WAR A crusade of Good against Evil A crusade of Good against Evil Primary examples Primary examples Old Testament Wars Old Testament Wars History History OT times, Hasmonean Dynasty (142—63 BC), Crusades (1095 AD and following) OT times, Hasmonean Dynasty (142—63 BC), Crusades (1095 AD and following)

HOLY WAR The Theory The Theory War is an obligation given by God War is an obligation given by God War is a battle between forces of Good and forces of Evil War is a battle between forces of Good and forces of Evil Pursuit of absolute and unlimited goals Pursuit of absolute and unlimited goals Unrestrained means Unrestrained means Total War Total War War is worship and a sacrifice to God War is worship and a sacrifice to God

HOLY WAR Scriptural Justification Scriptural Justification There is a time to kill and a time to heal... A time for war, and a time for peace. —Ecclesiastes 3:3, 8 There is a time to kill and a time to heal... A time for war, and a time for peace. —Ecclesiastes 3:3, 8 The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. —Joshua 6:17 The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. —Joshua 6:17 You must utterly destroy them. Make no covenant with them. And show them no mercy!—Deuteronomy 7:1—2 You must utterly destroy them. Make no covenant with them. And show them no mercy!—Deuteronomy 7:1—2

HOLY WAR Scriptural Justification Scriptural Justification You must not let anything that breathes remain alive. —Deuteronomy 20:16 You must not let anything that breathes remain alive. —Deuteronomy 20:16 Now go and attack... and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. —1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack... and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey. —1 Samuel 15:3

HOLY WAR Scriptural Justification Scriptural Justification Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. —Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. —Matthew 5:17 This is love for God: to obey his commands. —1 John 5:3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. —1 John 5:3

HOLY WAR Strengths of Holy War Strengths of Holy War The causes for killing and war are religiously significant The causes for killing and war are religiously significant Obedience to God is more important than moral squeamishness or cowardly trepidation Obedience to God is more important than moral squeamishness or cowardly trepidation God is the source of victory, not humans God is the source of victory, not humans God does not change: What God has formerly called His people to do, He may again call His people to do God does not change: What God has formerly called His people to do, He may again call His people to do The only Scriptural witness regarding war is Holy War The only Scriptural witness regarding war is Holy War

HOLY WAR I say to you, ‘Love your enemies’. —Jesus I say to you, ‘Love your enemies’. —Jesus Love is defined by God; “God is love” (1 John 4:8) Love is defined by God; “God is love” (1 John 4:8) God loves the people of the world (cf. Matthew 5:45; John 3:16) God loves the people of the world (cf. Matthew 5:45; John 3:16) God kills His enemies (cf. Acts 5:1—11; Revelation 20:9—10) God kills His enemies (cf. Acts 5:1—11; Revelation 20:9—10) Christians, created in the image of God, can love their enemies and kill them Christians, created in the image of God, can love their enemies and kill them

HOLY WAR In Response to Just War In Response to Just War Never kill in the name of a Nation Never kill in the name of a Nation Killing should only be done in the name of God Killing should only be done in the name of God When God calls His people to war it is always nothing less than total war in pursuit of unlimited goals When God calls His people to war it is always nothing less than total war in pursuit of unlimited goals Evil is destroyed, not subdued or made to surrender Evil is destroyed, not subdued or made to surrender

HOLY WAR In Response to Pacifism In Response to Pacifism God specifically states there is a time for war God specifically states there is a time for war When God calls His people to war the only faithful response is to engage in war When God calls His people to war the only faithful response is to engage in war Christians should not constrain God’s freedom to command Christians should not constrain God’s freedom to command Pacifism allows Evil to reign and is therefore complicit along with that Evil Pacifism allows Evil to reign and is therefore complicit along with that Evil

HOLY WAR In Response to War with Iraq In Response to War with Iraq Our enemies are as wrong as they are evil. --President Bush, State of the Union Address Our enemies are as wrong as they are evil. --President Bush, State of the Union Address States like these constitute an axis of evil. --President Bush, State of the Union Address States like these constitute an axis of evil. --President Bush, State of the Union Address Our enemies embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice. --President Bush, State of the Union Address Our enemies embrace tyranny and death as a cause and a creed. We stand for a different choice. --President Bush, State of the Union Address Christian responsibility Christian responsibility Wipe out Evil completely and without further hesitation Wipe out Evil completely and without further hesitation