By Neil Earle
As war clouds gather in the Persian Gulf and America's fighting sons and daughters, husbands and wives, head out in harm's way this is a timely subject. Here is a fast, introductory overview of this subject. Christians have inherited five basic positions on issues of War, Just War and/or reactions to Injustice.
Activism. This is the view of many older established churches and the
Christian mainstream. It says that Christians are to support a military effort
whenever their country declares war, period! The arguments here are drawn from
Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14. Governments are ordained by God – are even
called ministers of God – and we are to submit to our civil rulers. Activists
draw upon numerous Old Testament arguments to support their position – God's
Holy War against Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16) and the call to exterminate the
Canine cities in Joshua 6:20-21.
Activists argue that God is more concerned about justice issues than a fragile
and deceptive "peace at all costs." Often cited is Martin Luther's teaching of
the "Two Kingdoms." These are the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Man.
Luther felt it was unreasonable to expect Christians to live utopian lives in
this world, given the Sermon on the Mount talks about going to court and
submitting to imperfect civil powers (Matthew 5:25-26).
Therefore, felt Luther, Christians need have no qualms supporting such state
actions as capital punishment and war.
Just War or Selectivism. These arguments go back to St. Augustine in the 400s AD. The Just War position derives from such facts as the point that the Bible apparently endorses capital punishment (Genesis 9:6). Romans 13:1-8 is also used. Therefore, Christians can, at times, endorse Just War if the conditions are right. In order to defend Christian civilization against the Nazi threat in World War Two (1939-45), argue Just War advocates, the Allies were right to fight against Germany.
But Just War advocates are selective in their evaluations. The same criterion might not apply to the Vietnam War (1965-73), for example. There are clear pre-conditions in Just War theory as it has evolved:
— There must be Just Cause
— There must be Just Intentions
— Just means are important: no poison gas, etc.
— Just Authority must wage the war: established rulers not rebel forces
— Success must be reasonably expected, and that quickly
— Lethal violence is used as the last resort
— Intentions must be announced to give civilians fair warning
— There must be Proportionality: good results must outweigh Evil Consequences
Between these two positions there are various shades of arguments.
Pacifism. This is total abstinence from war and combative fighting.
Conscientious objectors usually fall under this category. Some pacifists allow
noncombatant activities such as serving in the medical corps.
Pacifists argue that Jesus was non-violent. He rejected the use of the
defensive sword in Matthew 26:52. He said his servants would not fight at this
time (John 18:36). He taught love for enemies and to not resist evil (Matthew
5:38-48). Brotherly love must be extended to all people (Luke 10:29-37). Final
vengeance must be left to God (Romans 12:9).
Passive Non-Resistance. Jesus protested civil rights violations at his trial (John 18:19-24). He asserted his rights. As did Paul. Jesus constantly opposed evil attitudes and people (Matthew 23:13-33). He was not neutral; indeed he did cause trouble on occasion, as at the cleansing of the Jerusalem temple. He did, however, submit to civil arrest without resisting.
Civil Disobedience. This is the strongest from of protest some Christians will allow. The Hebrew midwives are one example (Exodus 1:15-22). The early apostles another – they said they must obey God rather than men, a conscience issue (Acts 5:29). The Persistent Widow in the parable of the Unjust Judge is another example – she actively protested the injustice rather than letting things go (Luke 18:1-8). Jesus himself ignored rules that were silly or harmful (John 6:1-6).
So, how do Christians square obeying God rather than men with the need to heed the civil power? It might be helpful to imaginatively sketch out a triangle with "Obeying God, not men" at the top apex and have two sides coming down leading to Romans 13 and another to John 18:36. There is a dynamic tension going on with a line of force oscillating from the apex to one side or the other, depending on the situation. Today, many Christians see the war against Al-Qaeda as a just war but not the invasion of Iraq and the resultant civilian casualties it will incur.
These are tough issues. Even Romans 12:18 which says live peaceably with all "so far as you are able" seems to indicate a bit of maneuvering space for Christians. This is also a situation where Christian conscience and being well-informed citizens come into play.