7. Can War Be Just?

Description

Big Question: Can War Be Just? Today we will wrestle with the morality of warfare.

On episode 3, we wrestled with the question "should Christians be in the armed forces?" which dealt with how a citizen of God's kingdom can also be a citizen of a nation, agent of that nation's armed forces, and bear the sword for that nation (reference Romans 13:4). This episode wrestled with these questions on an individual/tactical level. So as we move up into the operational/strategic level, how do we think about warfare? Today we will wrestle with the question "Can any war be just?" Ecclesiastes chapter 3 says "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." The Bible takes a practical view of our sin fallen world, although the general arc of the Bible moves towards peace in the culmination of the person of Jesus (reference Truth Over Tribe series linked in Episode 3 show notes)
Ancient philosophers from Egypt, China, India, Greece, and Rome wrestled with ethics of warfare. These schools of thought likely impacted later thinking on ethics of war. "Christian theory of the Just War begins around the time of Augustine of Hippo. The Just War theory, with some amendments, is still used by Christians today as a guide to whether or not a war can be justified." Wikipedia
First off, how does our culture define is justice? Marriem-Webster

"the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims
the quality of being just, impartial, or fair.

On one side lies pacifism. There is no such thing as a just war. War is never justified, therefore we should never choose to engage in war. Pacifism fails to address human nature, which is inherently sinful, and humans are bound to fall into conflict from their sinfulness.
On the other side is militarism/nationalism. This position would argue that war is simply a tool to use as a nation, whenever the benefits of war outweigh the cause. I'd argue that Nazi Germany and Switzerland both practice this war theory.
In the middle is Just War Theory.

Isaiah 51:5 "My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations."

Psalm 37:27-29 "Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed ; the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever."

Leviticus 19:15 "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly."

Zechariah 7:9 "This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'"

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

Christian scholars agree that, to be considered just, a war must meet several jus ad bellum requirements. The four most important conditions are:

(1) the war must be declared openly by a proper sovereign authority (e.g., the governing authority of the political community in question);
(2) the war must have a just cause (e.g., defense of the common good or a response to grave injustice);
(3) the warring state must have just intentions (i.e., it must wage the war for justice rather than for self-interest); and
(4) the aim of the war must be the establishment of a just peace.

Since the end of World War II it has become customary to add three other conditions:

Not every nation subscribes to Just War Theory, and countries often sidestep it when it conflicts with their military objectives. One challenge to Just War Theory is that the criteria are too vague and easily twisted/rationalized. But we as Christians believe that God will judge everyone according to the motives of their hearts. Hebrews 10:30 says "For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people.""

Example: Putin has justified the invasion of Ukraine as self-defense of Russia, but these claims have been widely condemned by the UN and internationally.

Lots of talk on war crimes in the news lately Russians have been accused of committing war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine lately. What is a War Crime?

Britannica Just war theory led to formation of international law and rules of engagement. Examples include the United Nations, Geneva Conventions, Hague Convention, and Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC). Three principles established by the conventions generally govern conduct during war:
(1) targets should include only combatants and legitimate military and industrial complexes;
(2) combatants should not use unjust methods or weapons (e.g., torture and genocide); and
(3) the force used should be proportionate to the end sought.

How do we respond when we are persecuted by those who walk upon justice and persecute truth?

Proverbs 25: 21-22, 26: "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you… Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked."

Matthew 5:38-39 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."

1 Peter 3:18 "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit."

How do we as Christians act to provide justice on earth, while also trusting in the Lord to provide ultimate justice?
How does our response to and use of violence look different in our private, individual life and in our service as armed forces members?
How can we mimic the selfless love and sacrifice of Christ in how we confront injustice?

REFLECT:

Follow Christ for this day!

✝️ "Choose this day whom you will serve..." ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24‬:‭15‬
‭✝️ "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬

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