The Christian and the Military

The Christian and the Military : 

May a Christian participate in the military or in other endeavors where killing or carrying weapons are required? The Christian and the Military

Points to Ponder : 

Points to Ponder How does the “Two Kingdom Concept” affect this issue? Is Christianity compatible with war? What does the Bible say about retaliation? What does the Bible say about being a policeman or a soldier? What about the Centurions that we read about in the Bible.

The Two Kingdom Concept : 

The Two Kingdom Concept Jesus said John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here. There Are Two Kingdoms!

The Two Kingdom Concept : 

The Two Kingdom Concept Kingdom of God Spiritual Invention of God God is on the throne Requires spiritual birth Eternal Peaceful Filled with righteousness Is forbidden to use force Contains Godly people Kingdom’s of Men Physical Invention of Men Man is on the throne Requires natural birth Temporal Warring Filled with evil and vice Needs military power Contains the ungodly

The Two Kingdom Concept : 

The Two Kingdom Concept What we must remember? Christ’s kingdom is separate from the kingdoms of men. Christ’s kingdom is based on different principles than mans. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual instead of physical.

The Two Kingdom Concept : 

The Two Kingdom Concept Our real citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, We are just strangers passing through. Hebrews 11:13-14 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.

Is Christianity Compatible with War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible with War? The real issue: May a Christian go to war? Is there anything inherently incompatible between the two? What about military service in general? What about other related armed offices? What about the Police Force?

Is Christianity Compatible with War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible with War? Prophecy foretold that Christ’s kingdom would be one opposed to war. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4)

Is Christianity Compatible with War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible with War? Jesus said we must be peacemakers Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Jesus is the Prince of Peace

Is Christianity Compatible with War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible with War? Jesus said we must love our enemies Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, This includes public and private enemies

Is Christianity Compatible with War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible with War? Jesus forbids an eye for eye mentality Matthew 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Retaliation is forbidden in the New Testament

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? Paul also forbids retaliation Romans 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 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. 20 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." Avenge: (Gk- ekdickeo) to retaliate, to vindicate, to punish

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? Jesus refused to allow Peter to take the sword Matthew 26:51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Violence Begets Violence

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? Paul refused a Philippian jailor to take his own life let alone the life of others. Acts 16:27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here." If we do not have the right to take our own life what makes us think we can take the life of others?

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? Paul to the Romans Romans 12:17-21 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 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. 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." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? Christians fight on a “mind field” not a “mine field.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? What early church writers said about war. Tertullian, (third century A.D.) “For even if soldiers came to John and received advice on how to act, and even if a centurion became a believer, the Lord, in subsequently disarming Peter, disarmed every soldier” (Treatise on Idolatry 19; Ante-nicene Fathers 3:73).

Is Christianity Compatible With War? : 

Is Christianity Compatible With War? What early church writers said about war. Clement of Alexandria (217 A.D) “He who holds the sword must cast it away and that if one of the faithful becomes a soldier, he must be rejected by the Church for he has scorned God.” Justin Martyr “We refrain from making war on our enemies, and [we] cannot bear to see a man killed, even if killed justly.”

What Have We Learned? : 

What Have We Learned? Jesus forbade violence. The apostles forbade violence. Paul forbade the use of violence. Paul forbade retaliation.

Christianity and the Military/Police Force : 

Christianity and the Military/Police Force Preliminary considerations . . . 1. This is a very controversial issue. 2. During the Civil War (America) churches were divided over this. 3. Our brotherhood takes is cue from David Lipscomb et.al. and his book Civil Government. Lipscomb was a pacifist. 4. How we deal with this issue may depend on the circumstances. If one is converted while in the military it may take time to get out.

Christianity and the Military/Police Force : 

Christianity and the Military/Police Force Biblical Considerations . . . What would Jesus do? What would the apostles do? Do the principles of peace, love of enemy, etc. tell us anything? How does the Two Kingdom Concept affect this issue? The problem is that most of us do not fully recognize that our allegiance is not to the kingdoms of men.

Christianity and the Military/Police Force : 

Christianity and the Military/Police Force Some frightful scenarios . . . . Scenario 1: A Christian goes to war for his country and a Christian in the enemy country goes to the same war. Christians kill each other. Scenario 2: A Christian believes a war is just only to find out that the government twisted the facts and the war had nothing to do with the reasons given for going to war. Scenario 3: A Christian carries a gun as a watchman. One night he faces an intruder and has to take a life only for the sake of saving someone’s material possessions.

Christianity and the Military/Police Force : 

Christianity and the Military/Police Force Let’s Be Honest??? Would Jesus or the Apostles have gone to war? Would Jesus or Paul have aimed a gun at their enemy? Would the early church have encouraged soldiers to stay in the military in an active combatant role?

What About Roman Centurions? : 

What About Roman Centurions? Centurions and Jailors in the New Testament It is obvious that Centurions were converted in the New Testament. Cornelius - (Acts 10) First Gentile convert and a Centurion. Philippian jailor – (Acts 16) Roman Soldier/Jailor and Christian. Acts 10:1-2 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

What About Roman Centurions? : 

What About Roman Centurions? The Million Dollar Question: Did these men remain in their jobs once they became a Christian? Things to consider: 1. We are not told explicitly what they did about their jobs. 2. But we can look at what Christ expected of His followers. 1Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

What About Roman Centurions? : 

What About Roman Centurions? The Philippian Jailor and Cornelius He worked for Rome – Rome persecuted Christians. Is it logical to think they would have remained in a position that put them into direct conflict with the very faith they had accepted? Would Rome have tolerated its officers being Christians? While there were Christians in Caesars house (Php 4:22) it is unlikely that Rome would have allowed professed Christians to be in positions where they might sympathize with the enemies of Rome.

What About Roman Centurions? : 

What About Roman Centurions? Final Consideration Until these men were converted they were under a different law than the Law of Christ. There is no reason to think that after their conversion that they did not fully succumb to Jesus’ teaching about passivism. When faced with such situations today it would seem that we handle things differently with different cases. In other words we might be more patient for one “coming” to Christ who is already in such a position than one who chooses to “go” into such a career. It would be unthinkable for a Christian to choose such a career.

Conclusion : 

Conclusion The Old Testament prophesied that the Kingdom of God would be one of peace. Christ and the apostles forbade the use of physical violence. War is incompatible with Christianity. Aggressive force is incompatible with Christianity. There is no logical reason to think that Cornelius or the Philippian jailor remained long term in their careers.

Study Questions : 

Study Questions What did Isaiah say about the kingdom? Did Jesus allow Peter to defend him? What kind of weapons did Paul say we have? If Christians go to war can they kill other Christians? Can a Christian retaliate against others? Who was the first Gentile Convert? Do you think he remained in his current job? Would it be possible for a Christian to fulfill Heb 10:25 and still be in the armed services?