A short article concerning Christ-based beliefs in a time of war.

Confessing Christ in a World of Violence Our world is wracked with violence and war.
Dr. Glen Stassen

http://www.fuller.edu/sot/faculty/stassen

But Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, forthey shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9). Innocent people, at home and abroad, are increasingly threatened by terrorist attacks. But Jesus said: “Love your enemies, pray for thosewho persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). These words, which have never been easy, seem all the more difficult today.

Nevertheless, a time comes when silence is betrayal. How many churches have heard sermons onthese texts since the terrorist atrocities of September 11? Where is the serious debate about what it means to confess Christ in a world of violence? Does Christian “realism” mean resigningourselves to an endless future of “pre-emptive wars”? Does it mean turning a blind eye to torture and massive civilian casualties? Does it mean acting out of fear and resentment ratherthan intelligence and restraint?

Faithfully confessing Christ is the church’s task, and never more so than when its confession isco-opted by militarism and nationalism.

– A “theology of war” is emanating from the highest circles of American government.

– The language of “righteous empire” is employed with growing frequency.

– The roles of God, church, and nation are confused by talk of an American “mission” and”divine appointment” to “rid the world of evil.”

The security issues before our nation allow no easy solutions. No one has a monopoly on thetruth. But a policy that rejects the wisdom of international consultation should not be baptized by religiosity. The danger today is political idolatry exacerbated by the politics of fear.

In this time of crisis, we need a new confession of Christ.

1. Jesus Christ, as attested in Holy Scripture, knows no national boundaries. Those who confesshis name are found throughout the earth. Our allegiance to Christ takes priority over national identity. Whenever Christianity compromises with empire, the gospel of Christ is discredited.

We reject the false teaching that any nation-state can ever be described with the words, “the lightshines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” These words, used in scripture, apply only to Christ. No political leader has the right to twist them in the service of war.

2. Christ commits Christians to a strong presumption against war. The wanton destructiveness ofmodern warfare strengthens this obligation. Standing in the shadow of the Cross, Christians have a responsibility to count the cost, speak out for the victims, and explore every alternativebefore a nation goes to war. We are committed to international cooperation rather than unilateral policies.

We reject the false teaching that a war on terrorism takes precedence over ethical and legalnorms. Some things ought never be done—torture, the deliberate bombing of civilians, the use of indiscriminate weapons of mass destruction—regardless of the consequences.

3. Christ commands us to see not only the splinter in our adversary’s eye, but also the beam inour own. Alexander Solzhenitsyn observed that the distinction between good and evil does not run between one nation and another, or one group and another. It runs straight through everyhuman heart.

We reject the false teaching that America is a “Christian nation,” representing only virtue, whileits adversaries are nothing but vicious. We reject the belief that America has nothing to repent of, even as we reject that it represents most of the world’s evil. All have sinned and fallen short ofthe glory of God (Rom 3:23).

4. Christ shows us that enemy-love is the heart of the gospel. While we were yet enemies, Christdied for us (Rom. 5:8, 10). We are to show love to our enemies even as we believe God in Christ has shown love to us and the whole world. Enemy-love does not mean capitulating to hostileagendas or domination. It does mean refusing to demonize any human being created in God’s image.

We reject the false teaching that any human being can be defined as outside the law’s protection.We reject the demonization of perceived enemies, which only paves the way to abuse; and we reject the mistreatment of prisoners, regardless of supposed benefits to their captors.

5. Christ teaches us that humility is the virtue befitting forgiven sinners. It tempers all politicaldisagreements, and it allows that our own political perceptions, in a complex world, may be wrong.

We reject the false teaching that those who are not for our nation politically are against it or thatthose who fundamentally question American policies must be with the “evil-doers.” Such crude distinctions, especially when used by Christians, are expressions of the Manichaean heresy, inwhich the world is divided into forces of absolute good and absolute evil.

The Lord Jesus Christ is either authoritative for Christians, or he is not. His Lordship cannot beset aside by any earthly power. His words may not be distorted for propagandistic purposes. No nation-state may usurp the place of God.

We believe that acknowledging these truths is indispensable for followers of Christ. We urgethem to remember these principles in making their decisions as citizens. Peacemaking is central to our vocation in a troubled world where Christ is Lord.

One response to “A short article concerning Christ-based beliefs in a time of war.”

  1. It’s about time someone spoke the truth about the wickedness of violent conflict and the Christian duty to love our enemies and to fight against evil with good. (Hint: good does not issue forth from the muzzle of a cannon.)

    “Give unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar’s…” … i.e., the money, yes, but loyalty is not something that belongs to Ceasar—our allegiance belongs to the King, to God alone.

    What part of “the kings of the earth” and “the ruler of this world” do we Christians not understand?

    “Why did the heathen rage, and the kings of the earth imagine a vain thing? Why did they plot together against Our Lord and His Messiah?”

    One looks in vain for any exception to the above blanket rebuke.

    I was beginning to think there was no one else left who could see the blinders that the church has been wearing ever since Constantine called Jesus a liar.

    We need more of those who are “valiant for the truth,” and far fewer of those who insist on being “practical.”

    It is clearly going to be an uphill struggle the whole way. We need every kind of help we can get. And to be willing to speak the truth unmingled with placating cowardice even when we are a majority of one and the easily offended are in a fit of rage.

    It’s time we stopped acting as though we needed to please the crowd in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

    Who, being terrified of criticism, can claim to know love?

    Stop making excuses for the hammer and nails that you brought here with you. Lose them. Be the heroic person you have been called to be, you child of the King of Glory. Stop your whining, stand up straight and don’t look back.

    –John