CAN
THERE BE A JUST WAR TODAY?
(419)
206.2190
http://www.celticorthodoxy.com/bkceltic-orthodox-church/
Bishop
Brian J. Kennedy, O.S.B.
Pastor
The Celtic Orthodox Church, like
all men of good will, longs for peace.
We long for peace, but not peace at any price. We must carry the banner of Christ high
and proclaim without fear, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE
FATHER. Those who desire to
live with us in peace will find us lovers of peace. Those who would seek to destroy the
Christian faith and are avowed enemies of Christ will find we are prepared to
stand firm, be courageous and not fearful in our defense of all that is
holy.
_____________________________________
12 Biblical Rules of Engagement in
The Just War
Sin in the world and the unwillingness of evil people to
live peaceably with those around them, oftentimes oppressing and victimizing
vulnerable people, makes a just war to stop them a necessity and only
alternative at times. Such was the case in World War II. There are those
(inspired I believe by Satan himself) who seek to dominate and subjugate the
world for their own proud personal sinful pleasures. War is a horrible thing
(see Psalm 79:3; Jeremiah 7:33; 15:3; 16:4; 34:20). But if peace and justice
cannot be established by peaceful means, a just war is the
alternative.
There is such a thing as a just war. But what makes a just
war just? The Bible does give guidelines for a just war. Below are twelve
Biblical guidelines that make war just or that characterize a just
war.
First, pray for guidance in a just war. Prayer is a declaration of
dependence upon God and in the tension between attempting to avoid war as much
as possible and also not appeasing foolishly an aggressor to try and maintain
peace, God’s wisdom and direction is indispensable. God’s wisdom is obtained
through prayer. When the Philistines attacked David, the first thing he did was
go before the Lord to seek God’s guidance. In Second Samuel it states:
*
2 Samuel 5:17-21 – “Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David
king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David
heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and
deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David
inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against
the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines
into your hand.” So David went to Baal Perazim, and
David defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies
before me, like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore he called the name of that
place Baal Perazim. And they left their images there,
and David and his men carried them away.”
The name David gave to this
place, “Gaal Peraziim” where
God gave him victory, literally means, “LORD [or Master] of breakthroughs.” God
is the one who enables the just to break through and defeat the enemy. Because
of this, to seek God’s guidance in prayer is the first and priority step of one
entering a just war situation.
Second, those fighting a just war should
depend on God’s resources, not just their own earthly resources. The resources
of God are far more important than any earthly resources. For instance, God’s
angels are far mightier than any human soldier and He will send them to help
when we fight in a just war (2 Chronicles 32:8; Psalm 3; 4:8; 35:1-7; Isaiah
37:36).
On one occasion in the Old Testament the Assyrians came up
against Judah and King Hezekiah. The Assyrians were a terrorist nation who was
known for their atrocities against anyone who might resist them and this created
great fear in the hearts of those they came up against. When Hezekiah was
confronted with this enemy, he went to the Lord through Isaiah the prophet to
find help. The Lord assured him that he was not alone and Hezekiah conveyed this
to the people saying:
* 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 – “Then
he set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the
open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement, saying, “Be strong
and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor
before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with
him. “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us
and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of
Hezekiah king of Judah.”
The results of the ensuing battle (if you can
call it that) was the defeat of the Assyrians by the Lord. Isaiah gives the
details when he is inspired to say:
* Isaiah 37:36 – “Then the angel of
the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and
eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the
corpses—all dead.”
When you are led by God in prayer and rely on Him for
help, no enemy can prosper before you (Isaiah 54:17).
Third, 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. The Lord provides us with
weapons to fight the spiritual aspects of wars. Paul wrote in
Ephesians:
* Ephesians 6:10-18 – “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may
be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly
places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,
having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and
the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all
perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
Note the main points
here. Depend on God’s might and power not your own (6:10). Put on the “whole” or
entire “armor of God (6:11). If a soldier forgets their helmet or gun or flak
jacket, they make themselves very vulnerable to enemy attack and that not
because they can’t be protected, but because they are unprotected because of
their own neglect. The battle is not primarily against flesh and blood people;
it is against the evil spiritual forces of Satan who manipulate people who are
living in their sin (6:12). Wickedness and every sort of atrocity are instigated
by Satan, (which by no means excuses the human perpetrating such atrocities).
The only way you will be able to stand in the evil day of spiritual conflict is
to put on all the armor God provides you (6:13). Truth, like a belt, holds all
your equipment in place. Never sacrifice truth to gain a perceived advantage
(6:14). Many have lied and relied on their own deception only to suffer later
when the truth inevitably comes out. Let righteousness cover your heart like a
breastplate (6:14). Going into battle with a pure heart inspires courage and is
greatly supported by the Lord. Wherever you walk look to take steps to further
the gospel (6:15). Without the proper footing and footwear, your feet (one of
the most sensitive parts of your body) will be injured and you won’t be able to
make progress. Unless the gospel is brought with you, you may advance outwardly,
but no hearts will be won for the Lord. “Above all take the shield of faith”
(6:16). Wear your flak jacket of faith that will stop the bullets of doubt and
falsehoods that are thrown at you. Be certain of your salvation in your mind;
wear it like a helmet that protects your thoughts through faith in Jesus in the
power of the Spirit (6:17). And by all means don’t forget the word of God, the
sword of the Spirit that can be used to defend as well as attack (6:17). God’s
word will guide the one in a just war in a righteous path that is pleasing to
God. The final part of this armor is to pray always in the Spirit for guidance,
strength, sensitivity and alertness to what is happening around you so that you
won’t be taken by surprise or caught off guard (6:18). This is the equipment God
has provided to fight the spiritual war raging since Adam and Eve disobeyed Him
in the Garden of Eden.
Fourth, as much as is possible, overcome evil with
good. Even though military force is sometimes needed, mercy and goodness is to
be shown to enemies as much as possible (2 Samuel 9:1-8; Psalm 35:11-16;
Proverbs 25:21-22; Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:14,20-21). In Romans
it states:
* Romans 12:14, 20-21 – “Bless those who persecute you; bless
and do not curse. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will
heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by
evil, but overcome evil with good.”
One of the things that is so evident
in the Iraqi Freedom campaign is that even though Saddam Hussein was willing to
break the laws of the Geneva convention, willing to use his own people as human
shields for his soldiers, willing to have his soldiers dress like coalition
forces and execute his own men who are surrendering, even though he was willing
to fake surrender in order to try and catch coalition forces off guard, and may
even use chemical and biological weapons, the coalition forces were unwilling to
stoop to his level and presented a good example of overcoming evil with good.
Instead the coalition forces went out of their way and even took a longer amount
of time and effort to pursue the cause in a way that avoided damage to the Iraqi
infrastructure and danger to civilians.
Fifth, a heart of revenge can
lead to atrocities in war. Those fighting a just war must release any thought of
revenge to the Lord. Who better to dish out justice rightly than the Just One of
the universe? (Romans 12:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). Again in Romans it
states:
* Romans 12:19 – “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather
give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says
the Lord.”
When satanically inspired
enemies perform atrocities with fellow soldiers or civilians, it would be easy
to allow anger to rule the day and respond in kind. But those fighting a just
war leave revenge in the hands of the Lord and follow the rules of war
righteously.
Sixth, don’t take pleasure in the demise or pain of your
enemy. Even though the elimination of a ruthless enemy is sought, we should
never take pleasure in the pain of another no matter how evil. Taking pleasure
in the pain experienced by an enemy displeases God. In Proverbs it
states:
* Proverbs 24:17-18 – “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And
do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it
displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him.”
It would be oh so
easy and is oh so tempting to want to gloat gleefully over a fallen foe, but
rather than do this, those in a just war cause should humbly thank God for the
victory. Victors can get so full of themselves that they need to be knocked down
a peg or humbled. Better to be humble than to be humbled.
Seventh,
understand there are those who will refuse peaceful means of reconciliation or
problem resolution. Some refuse diplomacy as David said in Psalms when he was
inspired to write:
* Psalm 120:6-7 – “My soul has dwelt too long with one
who hates peace. I am for peace;
But when I speak, they are for war.”
David’s
words here speak to us about the limitations of diplomacy and that appeasement
does not work with evil powers. World War II and the appeasement of Hitler and
what resulted is enough evidence to make this point. Though I should point out
that countries such as France who have opposed the just war against Saddam
Hussein and have tried to undermine it (likely so that their material
investments such as oil resources, are not effected) have not evidently learned
this lesson. The over 50,000 dead American soldiers buried on the shores of
Normandy shout out against appeasement.
Eighth, understand there are
ruthless and evil entities in the world. These need to be dealt with for they
destroy the peace and victimize the helpless at every turn (Psalm 41:5; 54:3;
Ezekiel 36:5-7). The Bible says that there are evil people who do not respond to
negotiation or peaceful diplomacy. The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel was
inspired by God to write about such a situation when God pronounces judgment
against Israel’s perennial enemy Edom saying:
* Ezekiel 35:5-7 - “Because you
have had an ancient hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Israel by
the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, when their iniquity came
to an end, “therefore, as I live,” says the Lord God, “I will prepare you for
blood, and blood shall pursue you; since you have not hated blood, therefore
blood shall pursue you. “Thus I will make Mount Seir
most desolate, and cut off from it the one who leaves and the one who returns.”
There are evil people who exhaust the goodness of God and have to be
righteously judged by God.
Ninth, 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. We are not to be naive
or pacifistic. In Psalm 109 it states:
* Psalm 109:4-5,15-20 – “In return for my love they are my accusers, But I
give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. . . . Let them be continually before
the Lord, That He may cut off the memory of them from the earth; Because he did
not remember to show mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might
even slay the broken in heart. As
he loved cursing, so let it come to him; As he did not
delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing as
with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, And like oil into his
bones. Let it be to him like the garment which covers him, And for a belt with
which he girds himself continually. Let this be the Lord’s reward to my
accusers, And to those who speak evil against my person.”
There is a
time to act. There is a time for a just war.
Tenth, allow the enemy to
undermine and defeat himself if possible. Dictators and tyrants are often
destroyed from within. Wait for this and facilitate it if you can. The Bible
states:
* Psalm 57:6 – “They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into
the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah”
* Proverbs 5:22-23 –
“His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his
sin. He shall die for lack of
instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.”
Those who live for lust and evil are often the victims of their own evil
ways.
Eleventh, 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). In Colossians it states:
* Colossians 1:21-23 – “And
you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy,
and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the
faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the
gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of
which I, Paul, became a minister.”
This is the mindset that one should carry
into a just war. Paul also states in his letter to the Ephesians:
*
Ephesians 4:30-32 – “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were
sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor,
and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave
you.”
These verses tell us that just as we have an enemy, we were once
God’s enemies. God loved us, even as enemies (Romans 5:8) and therefore we ought
to love our enemies too.
Twelfth, fear God more than the enemy. This will
motivate those fighting a just war to fight it according to God’s rules and not
their own. The most important element in a just war is to fear God. Don’t be
caught up and solitarily focused on the immediate conflict. Understand that
there are eternal consequences to that which occurs in war, even just wars.
Jesus said:
* Matthew 10:28 - “And do not
fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who
is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
The understanding of God
as Mighty, Holy, Just and Good and that He has everyone’s eternal destiny in His
hand, is enough to direct those fighting a just war to fight it justly according
to God’s guidelines.
What To Do In Times of
War?
What should we do in times of war? If we can’t enlist or be involved
directly we can write letters to the military men and their families that we
know. But the Bible gives us very clear instructions; we are to pray for those
in authority. Paul said this when he wrote the following
to:
Timothy:
* 1 Timothy 2:1-7 – “Therefore I exhort first of all
that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all
men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the
sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth. For there
is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave
Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed
a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
When there is a war, those
not directly involved need to pray for those who are. In our time however, with
the threat of domestic terrorism within our borders, we need to pray for safety
and for authorities that are at home to protect us as well. This includes,
police, firemen, and those involved in catching terrorists in this
country.
Conclusion
There is such a thing as a righteous war, a
just war. There are also unrighteous and unjust wars waged by those who in their
sin of selfishness seek merely to profit personally at the expense of others no
matter what the cost. Such war is abhorrent to God. When such things happen, God
raises up those who will wage just war to right the wrong perpetrated by unjust
warring.
Approximately two hundred and twenty five years ago, before the
United States was a nation, a man by the name of Patrick Henry rose to speak in
a continental congressional meeting concerning the injustices imposed upon the
colonists by the British. Mr. Henry said in part:
“Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in
the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and
listen to the song of the siren till she transforms us into beast. Is this the
part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we
disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having
ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For
my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole
truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my
feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. . . . Suffer not yourselves
to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our
petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and
darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and
reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that
force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.
These are the implements of war and subjugation, - the last arguments to which
kings resort. . . . Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.
Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now
coming on. . . . In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of
peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room
for hope. If we wish to be free . . . we must fight I repeat it, sir, - we must
fight and appeal to arms, and to the God of hosts, is all that is left us. . . .
Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of
nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people armed in the holy
cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible
by any forces which our enemy can send against us. . . . Besides, sir, we shall
not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies
of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The
battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the
brave. . . . It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry
peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The gale that sweeps
from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren
are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen
wish? What would they have? IS LIFE SO DEAR, OR PEACE SO SWEET, AS TO BE
PURCHASED AT THE PRICE OF CHAINS AND SLAVERY? FORBID IT. ALMIGHTY GOD I KNOW NOT
WHAT COURSE OTHERS MAY TAKE, BUT AS FOR ME, GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH ”
There is such a thing as a just war, a time
for war. May God lead us wisely and gracefully and may His truth reign and His
justice flow (Amos 5:24).
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