07202006 beardsley

Forming a Christian Perspective on Foreign Policy: 

Forming a Christian Perspective on Foreign Policy Kyle C. Beardsley UCSD GCF

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace: 

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace Proverbs 25:21-22

Proverbs 25:21-22: 

Proverbs 25:21-22 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.

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace: 

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace Proverbs 25:21-22 Romans 12:17-21

Romans 12:17-21: 

Romans 12:17-21 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace: 

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace Proverbs 25:21-22 Romans 12:17-21 Similar to Psalm 73 Luke 6:27-36

Luke 6:27-36: 

Luke 6:27-36 But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace: 

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace Proverbs 25:21-22 Romans 12:17-21 Similar to Psalm 73 Luke 6:27-36 Matthew 5:9

Matthew 5:9: 

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace: 

Observation1: We Should Seek Peace Proverbs 25:21-22 Romans 12:17-21 Similar to Psalm 73 Luke 6:27-36 Matthew 5:9 Isaiah 2:4

Isaiah 2:4: 

Isaiah 2:4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Observation 2: Peace is Often not Possible: 

Observation 2: Peace is Often not Possible Romans 12:18 had some qualifiers Pursuing justice often requires conflict Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Ephesians 6 Conflict is often a natural outcome of bargaining

Observation 3: What’s Good for Country Isn’t Necessarily Good for God: 

Observation 3: What’s Good for Country Isn’t Necessarily Good for God Justifying worldly actions in the name of God has led to past atrocities The liberal institutions that we value stem from the Enlightenment and humanism Our politicians should not be placing the country first, and security is not the ultimate value

Observation 4: Ideal Social Order Combines Justice, Mercy & Humility: 

Observation 4: Ideal Social Order Combines Justice, Mercy andamp; Humility Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Zechariah 7:9 'This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.

Question: 

Question Can we simultaneously maximize justice, mercy, humility, peace and security?

Proposition: Multilateralism Gets Us Close: 

Proposition: Multilateralism Gets Us Close It promotes justice by providing dispute-resolution outlets and mechanisms to decide what is just. Matthew 18:15-17

Matthew 18:15-17: 

Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.‘ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Proposition: Multilateralism Gets Us Close: 

Proposition: Multilateralism Gets Us Close It promotes justice by providing dispute-resolution outlets and mechanisms to decide what is just. Matthew 18:16-17 It promotes mercy by restricting vengeance It promotes humility by reducing the importance of individual states It promotes peace by increasing information exchange and commitment mechanisms Robert Keohane It promotes security by locking-in order and deterrence David Lake and John Ikenberry Michael Intrilligator Woodrow Wilson

My Point: 

My Point By binding ourselves to act less selfishly, we can become greater When we are weak, then we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Applications: 

Applications End American exceptionalism and strengthen multilateral institutions

Slide21: 

Applications: 

Applications End American exceptionalism and strengthen multilateral institutions Promote justice not when it is simply in our interests

Slide23: 

Applications: 

Applications End American exceptionalism and strengthen multilateral institutions Promote justice not when it is simply in our interests Listen to Bono Reform the UN