The Bible, and War.

[Shammu]

Fair warning, I will not debate this. Please feel free to express your thoughs. If you feel you must debate this thread. Take it to the Theology, Debate section and start a thread. That is three doors down, from Theology.

Thank you.
Bob
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War with Iraq, is justified according to biblical standard.

A key responsibility of the civil government is to protect its citizens from attack by wrongdoers. This involves punishing those who break the law. It also involves defending the nation from every external attacker, including nations, other groups of people or dangerous pests and diseases. All these responsibilities are encompassed in the power of the sword Romans 13:1-8. Therefore, pacifism is not a Christian option.

War is only justified for defence Romans 13:1-8. It should not be used to expand a nation's boundaries, or to take control of another nation, or to extract trade advantages. This is a fundamental principle. A nation should never need to establish military domination in another region or nation. This doctrine covers pre-emptive strikes which is when a country attacks an enemy who is about to attack.

The militia should be up made of volunteers. Anyone who is faint-hearted or afraid should not be forced to fight Deut 20:5-9. People who are at a critical stage in their lives should not be forced into military service. For example, men who have recently married, started building a house or started a business should be freed from service, because they would not be focused on the battle.

Only the civil government has authority to declare war. Individuals or companies do not have the authority to commit a nation to war. Any declaration of war must be in accordance with correct legal processes [/b]Deut 20:10[/b]

A Christian government should only declare war if it thinks it has a reasonable chance of success. Jesus said that before a king goes to war, he should sit down and consider whether he can match the army that is coming against him. If not he will send a delegation to ask for terms of peace Luke 14:31-32, even if this involves a loss of freedom. For Christians freedom is not an absolute value. It may be better to lose freedom to govern, than to lose a large number of lives in an unsuccessful defence. In fact, because Jesus has set us free, we cannot lose our freedom.

Forgive enemies once they are defeated. Jesus said, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do." Stephen said, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." We should treat enemies as God has treated us for we were enemies of God before coming to Christ and He forgave us. Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Colossians 1:21-23

Those who persist in evil and refuse to live at peace are to be firmly dealt with in the Lord. We are not to sit back and do nothing or continually appease those who do evil. Psalm 109 We are not to be naive or pacifistic.

Always keep in mind that earthly wars have spiritual elements. Paul was inspired to write that our primary battle is not against flesh and blood people but against Satan and his minions and we should fight it as such. Ephesians 6:10-18

Resting in the Lord's arms.
Bob

Luke 14:31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

[M]

This is a very difficult topic.

If America were an evil nation, they would have long ago taken over their nearest neighbors:  Mexico and Canada.    They could very easily take over these countries if they wanted to.   They have not and will not.

If the war was just about oil as people said the Gulf War/Kuwait, then America would have taken over Canada because they have oil and other natural resources that America could use.  America could have easily taken over many countries to use their natural resources and people as slaves.  They have not.

America has many nuclear weapons it could have used on several occasions.  While they were used on Japan, an offer of peace was given first.  Japan attacked America without warning.  America has never used nuclear weapons again.  America does not sell these weapons or techonology to other unstable nations.  Other countries have.  

America is now trying to offer a democratic government to Iraq.  Some Iraqis have decided that they still want to be ruled by a despot and they want to prevent their fellow citizens from any choice.

War is not good but often necessary.  America was forced into WWII.  If Nazi Germany had been prevented from amassing arms and invading other countries, millions of people might not have died before and during WWII.  

 

[Soldier4Christ]

DW and M,

Excellant points made by both of you.

America could easily have maintained control over these countries. Instead we are turning them back over to their people. Helping them form a government that is beneficial to that countries people while at the same time attempting to insure that it is a government that will maintain peace with their neighbors and the world.

[Bronzesnake]

This is a very difficult topic.

If America were an evil nation, they would have long ago taken over their nearest neighbors:  Mexico and Canada.    They could very easily take over these countries if they wanted to.   They have not and will not.

 Didn't you learn your lesson in 1812? Take over Canada indeed!  

Bronzesnake - Ontario Canada  

[Evangelist]

This is a very difficult topic.

If America were an evil nation, they would have long ago taken over their nearest neighbors:  Mexico and Canada.    They could very easily take over these countries if they wanted to.   They have not and will not.

 Didn't you learn your lesson in 1812? Take over Canada indeed!  

Bronzesnake - Ontario Canada  

Hehehehe....a walk in the park! Easier'n New Orleans.!