‘THE WAR QUESTION’ – PART I

A. Preacher that I know recently said the following in a bulletin art.

B. At the present time I know of no one in this congregation who is...

1 Going through a divorce,

2 Is about to get a divorce,

3. Has recently been divorced,

4. Or is asking questions about marriage and divorce.

C. Because the subject of divorce is not affecting anyone in this place of worship.

D. He plans to speak about marriage and divorce.

I. THER ARE TIMES WHEN IT IS GOOD TO DEAL WITH A SUBJECT WHEN NO ONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT IT. WHILE THIS CANNOT BE DONE EVERYTIME, THIS IS ONE OPTION THAT IS AVAILABLE TO PREACHERS.

A. Tonight and next week I plan to exercise this option.

B Our country is not currently involved in a war.

C Although we do have troops deployed outside of the United States.

D And those in the Armed Forces was sometimes not involved in skirmishes,

E. America has not declared a state of war.

F. For the most part we are at peace.

G. Thus now is a good time to ask about war and Christianity.

H. We may raise and seek to answer questions like,

1. May a Christian serve in the armed forces?

2 May a Christian go to war for his country & kill another person.

I. Before I tread very far into this area I want to make some things clear

1. Many brethren now and in the past have had strong conviction about this.

2. Some have insisted that Christians have the right to fight.

3. Others have insisted that Christians have no right to partake in fighting.

4. In an assembly of this size, both viewpoints are surely represented.

J. What is said tonight and next week will be a little unusual.

K. Sermons are often designed to change minds and redirect lives.

L. I am not going to try to prove either position on the war?

M. It isn’t my intent to convince anyone of either position is right.

N. Since there are good arguments on both sides of this issue,

O. I am going to do my best to argue both sides of these questions.

P. The final conclusions will be yours.

Q. Tonight I am going to argue that Christians have the right to be in the military.

R. Next week I will argue the view which says that Christians have a right.

S. I will do my best to make the best arguments for both viewpoints.

II THE FIRST POSITION IS THAT CHRISTIANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY, AND DURING A TIME OF WAR, USE WEAPONS TO DESTROY A SINGLE PERSON OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE CLASSIFIED AS AN ENEMY.

A. Early in the Bible (Gen: 14), Lot was taken captive.

B. Abraham had some men and these men were armed (v. 13) READ

C. Abraham had a sizeable force (318 people).

D. This force, though not as large as a modern army,

E. Came against an aggressor and killed people who were enemies.

F. Verses 14-15 specifically says that Abraham and his men killed READ

G. After Abraham and his men destroyed these enemies,

H. A commendation was given.

I. As I read thee verses pay careful attention to the word “slaughter

(1) Read verses 17-20)

(2) A man of God killed recognized enemies and he was commended.

J. Some wish to say, “This was the OT; we are in a different age.”

K. Rom: 15:4, says, (Quote) If the OT. Is to be set aside for now, OK

(1) I will move to a different form of proof to affirm that a Christian,

(2) Few Christians believe that being on a jury is sinful.

(3) Most agree that a jury has the right to condemn a man to death.

(4) War is not too different from a jury who condemns a man to death.

(5) In each case there is a “bad person” (enemy/criminal).

(6) In each case the bad person is supposed to die.

(7) The criminal may not die by the hand of a juror;

(8) The convicted criminal may not die by the same method;

(9) However, the basic elements in both are the same.

(10) There a bad man (or men) and he (they) is/are put to death.

(11) If we support capital punishment (death of wrongdoers).

(12) We may take the life of wrongdoers in a time of war.

L. When people say that a Christian cannot participate in warfare,

M. They are inconsistent.

(1) Not only is this inconsistency seen in the jury illustration,

(2) It is seen in the church.

(3) Brethren fellowship those members who are police officers

(4) I have been in congregations where Christians are cops.

(5) I have yet to find a congregation anywhere in the world...

(6) Which has said to a member who is a police officer?

(7) “Get a new job or we are withdrawing from you.

(8) Police officers sometimes shoot people.

(9) At times cops end lives.

(10) If there are an intruder in our house who was threatening us,

(11) And a Christian officer comes to our home and kills the aggressor,

(12) Would an eldership have the right to withdraw from that brother?

(13) How can it be right for an officer to kill an aggressor?

(14) But wrong to kill an aggressor on a battlefield?

(15) If one is right the other is right.

N. Consider too what happens when a nation goes to war.

(1) People who work in factories help kill people.

(2) Someone makes ball-bearings for weapons of war like tanks.

(3) Those in factories make springs which may be used for guns

(4) Factory workers produce parts for bombs, missiles, and other

(5) Though we may not be holding the gun that kills and enemy,

(6) Some Christians make parts which ultimately take lives.

(7) By extension some are involved in any war our nation engages in.

(8) Not only do people keep working at the factory, they may thank God.

(9) The factory worker may not be pulling the gun trigger,

(10) But he helped build the gun is used to kill someone.

(11) If he is authorized to help build the gun, he can fight.

O. What about the people who are in the medical field?

(1) Soldiers are wounded and need medical attention.

(2) What do the doctors and nurses do?

(3) They patch people up so soldiers can return to battle.

(4) We may think that this work is kind and good.

(5) Are doctors and nurses really being humane?

(6) Is it humane when a doctor brings a person back to health...?

(7) So that this person can return to battle and continue fighting

(8) If it is right to be a doctor, it is right to be a soldier.

(9) Both occupations are ultimately ways to kill people.

SOMEONE MAY SAY, ALL BUT ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS THT HAVE BEEN MADE HAVENOT APPEALED TO SCRIPTURES. THEY ARE WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION, BUT WE WOULD LIKE SOME REFERENCES FROM THE BIBLE. OKAY.

A. Let’s take out a Bible and start with Luke: 22:36, 38.

B. This text is important.

(1) In the first century weapons were not as advanced as ours.

(2) Though they were effective, 2000 years has changed weaponry.

(3) One common weapon in the first century was the sword.

(4) This was an instrument of death.

(5) Jesus told His disciples to buy swords – v: 36 READ

a. Remember what a sword was. It was not a toy.

b. It was not like a pocket knife.

c. Those who oppose Christians fighting in a war...

d. Are usually quick to affirm the first idea.

e. Many believe that two swords were all that were needed.

f. This explanation does not fit with v. 36.

g. Jesus gave a specific command:

h. Let him who does not have a sword buy one.

i. Even if a person had to sell their cloak, they are to buy one.

(6) In verse 38 when someone said, “we have two”,

(7) Jesus said, “It is enough.” READ

(8) What the Lord meant by “It is enough” is not completely clear.

a. Did He mean that “Two swords are all you need?”

b. Or did this statement? “We have spoken about this matter.

c. Those who opposes Christians fighting in a war.

d. Are usually quick to affirm the first idea.

e. Many believe that two swords were that were needed.

f. This explanation does not fit with v. 36.

g. Jesus gave a specific command:

h. Let him who does not have a sword buy one.

i. Even if a person had to sell their cloak, they are to buy one.

(9) What Thayer says about the word sword in Luke 22 is instruct.

(10) “As a weapon for MAKING or repelling an attack.

a.. If Jesus commanded His people to buy an item.

b. Which was used to either make or repel an attack?

c. An individual has the right to defend against an aggression.

d. If this is right for an individual, it is right for a Christian.

e. From the Lord’s not our mouth here is the authority for a Christian.

C. The Bible references supporting a Christian’s right to fight do not end.

D. 1 Peter: 2: 13-14 is next.

(1) Peter provided some general information about governments.

(2) Governments are to punish the guilty and dispense justice.

(3) Governments have the right to take a Human life.

(4) Read 1 Peter: 2:13-14.

(5) If governments have the right to take human life,

(6) Their authority includes doing this in a time of war.

(7) Because punishing wrongdoers is right, a Christian cold participate.

(8) We can help our government carry out God’s will.

E. Another passage to support the view being expressed is John 15:13.

(1) Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this that a man

(2) Jesus did not specify how this might be done.

(3) One way that this could be done is in a time of war.

(4) If we love our friends,

(5) We pay put our life on the line on a battlefield....

(6) To keep our friends, family, and fellow citizens safe.

(7) We may give our life in battle to keep freedom and safety intact.

(8) Most men do not go off to war with the attitude.

(9) “I have enlisted because I enjoy destroying things.”

(10) Rather, the idea is, “I am participating because I love my life.

(11) I am sacrificing my life for people and a nation I love.

(12) This is consistent with the words in John: 15:13.

F. I Romans 13 Paul said several things about civil government.

G. The verse I wish to direct our attention to is verse 4.

H. Paul said that the government is:

I. “An avenger of wrath to him that doeth evil.”

J. As an avenger it “bears a sword” (a deadly weapon).

K. Governments are God’s tool to take care of evil men.

(1) Whether this is one man or a nation of evil people,

(2) Governments are God’s method to keep things in order.

(3) If this is God’s means to deal with evil people,

(4) And a Christian participates in the process,

(5) How on earth can we look at that Christian and say, “You’re a sinner?

(6) How can a child of God be part of a system that God has authority?

(7) And be out of harmony with God’s word and will?

O. Some may wonder about a couple of other NT passages.

P. What about Romans 12:19 and the teaching of “turn the other cheek?”

(1) These passages are in harmony with what has been said.

(2) Rom: 12”19 says that vengeance belongs to God...

(3) The turning of the other cheek...

(4) These passages are in a context of personal relationships.

(5) These passages forbid private retaliation.

(6) War does not involve personal relations and private relationships

(7) Apply Ro: 12 and information from the Sermon on the Mount mixes

Q. Some also hasten to point out Mt: 5:44, which is also from the Bible

R. Jesus said to love our enemies.

S. How can we love an enemy if we are dropping bombs & shooting at them?

T. If a Christian goes to war it is not because of hatred not out of love.

U. A Christian goes because of the principle in John: 15:13.

V. Just as we love God over our family,

W. Our family and friends are put above an aggressor.

CONCLUSION:

You have just heard a variety of arguments to support a Christian going to war.

If you and I are here next week we will hear the opposing viewpoint.

No matter which side is the most convincing to us,

We do know this: People may disagree on the issue.

That’s okay. This matter does not affect our salvation.

We must, however: know, believe, and follow the single plan of salvation.