JOSHUA 8 / 1 SAMUEL 17
“Jesus is coming to wage holy war on Babylon. Holy War is more than an Old Testament phenomenon; it is New Testament hope.” - Joshua Ryan Butler
*If God’s Character is Good and His Plan (Gospel) is Victorious, how do passages of “war” impact our lives/church/society?
1. Goliath and Revelation | 1 Samuel 17; Revelation 18-19 | The Empire Strikes Out
- Canaan and Goliath represent Empires
- Babylon and Rome are Ultimate Evil Empires in Scripture
- Empires oppress the weak economically, socially, and politically
- Revelation is actually an “anti-violence” book
- “Jesus [destroys] the empire to bring in the kingdom.” - Butler
- Beware the allure and danger of power/empire/worshiping the state
- We pray, “Come, Lord Jesus”
2. Sermon on the Mount and Romans | Matthew 5:38-39; Romans 12:18-13:4
Turn the Cheek & Protect the Weak
- We don’t avenge ourselves
- We pursue peace by all means/to every extent possible
- We seek to protect “shalom” and promote “flourishing”
- Just War Theory must uphold these for a society
3. Ephesians and 2 Timothy/1 Peter | Ephesians 6:10-19; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Peter 5:8-9
Spiritual Warfare = Spiritual Means for Spiritual Purposes
- Spiritual Warfare is about HOLINESS and ENDURANCE.
- We endure suffering with hope and discipline.
4. Matthew & Luke | Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 16:19-31
Hell & Heaven are the Result & the End of Holy War
- God “drives out” those opposed to His Kingdom.
- God “protects and provides for” His Creation and People.
What should we do?
“We exist to Proclaim and Display Jesus”
- We proclaim Jesus as Savior and Lord (‘holy war’ language!)
- We display Jesus through suffering and sacrifice.
- Up - We worship God as the Creator, Savior, and Judge.
- In - We separate from idolatry. We do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
- Out - We share Good News—urgently, widely, and freely.
