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What Does the Bible Say About War?

Romans 13:1-7

Gary Crawford, Pastor

Westside Baptist Church, Gainesville, Florida

March 16, 2003

America is on the brink of war. Thousands of men and women stand in harm's way. Families, all across America, are separated from and face the possibility of losing loved ones including families within our own church family.

The question is being asked by many in the Christian community, “Is war ever justified?” In fact, Larry King hosted five leaders from the Christian community last Tuesday evening under the title “Christians Debate War.” Some of the views were patently unscriptural. Some seemed to lack common sense at best, and a lack of informed and careful thinking at worst. King asked, “Is there a Christian view of war?”

Historically, the Christian community has answered that question one of three ways: “pacifism”—notably the Quakers and Mennonites, “Crusades”—as in WWI when the US plunged into the fray to “make the world safe for democracy” in that “war to end all wars,” and the “just war”—as expressed in WWII.

It is imperative as members of the Christian community, especially at this critical moment, for us to understand what the Bible says about war and peace so that scriptural principles can inform and guide our thinking and our decisions. So, let's see what the Bible says and what it means.

I.God Is Committed To Peace

Ex 20:13—“You shall not murder.” The intention of all of the Ten Commandments is to foster peace.

1 Chr 28:2-3—David wanted to build the temple for God, but God said, “You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.” God wants His name to be associated with peace.

Isa 9:6—God gave His son as the “Prince of Peace,” and when He came, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Lk 2:14). Peace begins in the heart. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 5:1).

Mt 5:9—“Blessed are the peacemakers.” Jesus said, Why? Because God values peace.

Ro 14:19—“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace.”

He 12:14—“Make every effort to live at peace with all men . . . .”

God is a God of peace. He is revealed as a loving Father. Christ died to “bring us to God” (1 Pe 3:18) and has committed to us the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Co 5:19). Salvation through faith in Christ is about peace! God through faith in His son, Jesus Christ, is our only hope for ultimate peace.

II.War Is A Reality

War is rooted in the sin of Adam and Eve (Ge 3:6) and has been passed to all men (Ro 5:12, 3:23, 1:28-32) and was first expressed in killing between Cain and Abel (Ge 4:8).

War is a reality among us, because there is war within us. James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from desires that battle within you?”

As a result, Jesus said, “There will be wars and rumors of wars . . . such things must happen . . . nation will rise again nation . . .” (Mt 24:6-7).

War is a reality, because we have a nature that kills—a nature that killed a good and innocent man like Jesus Christ (Mt 27:23-54).

Here are two principles based upon these scripture references. First, any peace is temporary. On January 20, 1991 just prior to the Gulf War, I shared with you this statement, “Even if this Gulf War is short and decisive, it will not solve Middle East problems.” As Peter Jennings noted (at that time), “After this war is over, there will be massive problems to be solved.” Problems, that from a Biblical perspective, will be solved only with the coming of Christ.

Former President Bush spoke at that time of a “New World Order” and said, “When we are successful, and we will be, in creating this New World Order, the United Nations can keep the promise of her founding fathers for peace.” I do not believe the Bible shares this confidence. We should pray for peace, but more importantly, we should pray for the salvation of these nations. The UN cannot do what only the Prince of Peace can do.

Second, we can say that the rise of military action in the Middle East is an important prophetic development. While wars in Europe, Korea, and Vietnam were not necessarily prophetically significant, all end-time prophecy pictures the Middle East as the center of political, financial, and military power at the end of time. I believe this war is an ominous development that signals the beginning of other wars, climaxing in Armageddon and the second coming of Christ. Saddam Hussein on the night Iraq was attacked said, “The mother of all wars has begun.” Perhaps, this is true in the sense that it gives birth to a series of battles leading to Armageddon. War is a reality of the human condition.

III.War May Be Approved By God

1.God commanded Israel to wage offensive warfare. “And the Lord said, `Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his people, his city and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city'” (Jos 8:1-2). This was an expression of God's judgment against evil nations (Lev 18:24-25). And note: God placed the decision in the hands of national leadership.

This is conclusive New Testament teaching as well (Ro 13:1-7, 1 Pet 2:13-14).

Government is God-appointed authority. Governments exist to protect us from evil and to punish evil doers. When a group of terrorists strikes a blow against America, the government is the agency of God to protect. Government is ordained by God to defend, protect, and liberate from godless tyrants. General Sherman said, “The legitimate object of war is a more perfect peace.” Freedom and peace is the ordained responsibility of government and the proper pursuit of government leaders.

God calls leaders who rule by evil instead of good an “abomination,” and His wrath falls without exception upon them and their regimes. “Evil men will be cut off” (Ps. 37:9). Sooner or later, the wicked fall—no escape. The fallout strikes everyone. There is only one reason to disobey government authority—that's when we are asked to do something in clear violation of the Word of God (Ac 5:29).

God uses armies for judgment upon wicked nations. That is what Bible refers to as the “Lord's battle” (1 Sa 18:25). He used Israel for such a purpose, not because they were so righteous, but because other nations were so evil (Dt 9:4-6). On the other hand, God used other nations to bring judgment upon Israel when they fell prey to pagan influence (Jer 5:15-19). That's why the Bible says, “Therefore you kings, be wise, be warned, you rulers of the earth” (Ps 2:10).

March 10 issue of Newsweek is an article entitled “Bush and God.” Bush made this statement, “Behind all of life and all of history, there is a dedication and purpose set by the hand of a just and faithful God.” That is an accurate Biblical perspective.

God provides guidance for war strategies. In Dt 20:1-18, He says to face the enemy with courage (1,3), that He is involved in the battle (4), that spiritual leaders are to be involved in the process (2), to offer peace when possible (10), and if it's not accepted, destroy the influence of the enemy (17). Otherwise, they will “teach you to do all the detestable things they do in worshipping their gods” (18).

War is not necessarily wrong, immoral, or ungodly. It may be an expression of righteousness. Francis Schaffer wrote in Who Is for Peace?, “To not do what I can for those under the power of oppression is nothing less than a failure of Christian love.” America has understood this and has fought for the freedom for men all over this globe. A moral war is national not personal, protective not aggressive, limited not expansive.

3.God commends military leaders who fight for righteous causes (He 11:32-35). Jesus, Himself said of a Roman soldier, “I have not seen so great faith in all Israel” (Mt 8:10). Jesus Christ never told the Centurion or any other soldier to get out of the military. In fact, Jesus said, “It would have been proper for his disciples to defend His kingdom with a sword if it was an earthly kingdom” (Jn 18:36).

With this in mind, let's ask a few questions.

1.Didn't Jesus condemn war? (Lk 6:27-31). Jesus was not teaching about war. He was not teaching about government. He was teaching about our personal response to ill will. Jesus respected authority and obeyed authority until it conflicted with God's Will for His life. He commended a soldier for his faith and taught to give Caesar his due. He never once contradicted the scriptures concerning what God had revealed about government, war, and peace. But He was firm that as individuals we are to suffer wrong rather than retaliate.

2.Should we be willing to fight when called? Yes! Why, because we are to submit to the authority (as noted earlier), and we are to join our comrades in battle. When Israel was going to war, the clan of Reuben and Gad said, “We'll just stay here.” Moses asked, “Shall your countrymen go to war while you sit here? Here you are a brood of sinners” (Nu 32:6, 14). Yes, we are to obey our government, and we are to fight alongside fellow countrymen.

When I served in the military, our war was in Vietnam. There were those who said, “We'll just stay here.” They sat while others went and fought, and many died, while they stayed here and enjoyed the privileges that came from the sacrifice of those who fought. What shame!

There were those who protested, burning the American flag, and the only reason they had that opportunity is because thousands paid the price for that freedom with their very lives. There were those fighting and dying for that flag while the protestors burned it. What shame!

Perhaps, worst of all was the way our soldiers were treated. Last fall, I had the opportunity to be at Fort Bragg with our Special Forces. Last Sunday evening, I watched the documentary program about how they are trained to face the enemy and survive in the worst of circumstances. I was reminded that our Special Forces, who stayed in the hardest places for the longest time in Vietnam, began to be called “snake eaters”—a term of derision. Our bravest, most skilled soldiers were spoken of in derision. What shame!

God says there is a “time for war and a time for peace” (Ecc 3:8) and when it's time to fight, to protect, to liberate, to defend, it's a serious thing to say, “We'll just sit here.” No, we are to obey our authority and fight alongside our countrymen. Then we will experience what one person said, “For those who fight for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know” (author unknown).

3.What does this say about those who have gone to Iraq to serve as human shields? It's contrary to the intention of our government to protect our nation, it's an attempt to protect an evil regime, and it's wrong in the sight of God and country. Moreover, when Saddam Hussein wanted to place them strategically, meaning the places he didn't want bombed, they said, “We don't feel safe here, it is dangerous” and went home. Such action is short-sighted and creates more problems than it solves.

4.What does this say about the “entertainers” who have spoken as if they have ultimate insight into the complexities of governing a nation? It says if you want the freedom to entertain when, where, and how you please, you best support the American forces who oppose those who struck down the Twin Towers in the city known for entertainment and took the lives of thousands of fellow Americans. It's easy to sit back and talk about what to do or not to do when someone else has already laid down their lives for that option. Listen, the war has already started. It started 9/11 on our soil. We didn't start it, but I pray we will stand in unity against the foe that did.

5.What does this say about the U.N. Council? It says that we must be careful to cooperate with the nations of the world and be careful not to allow the other nations who have their own agendas to become a menace to our sovereignty as a nation. We must remain loyal to our own national interest especially when it has to do with protecting the American people.

6.What does this have to say about America? It says America better take an inward look. There are two reasons. One is pragmatic. Right now, foreign countries are said to be “buying America out.” Political and economic power is shifting to Asia and the Middle East as well as parts of Europe. Fergius Bordewich has observed, “United once again, Germany is poised to become the next world super power.”

But there is another and more important reason. America has progressively moved toward secular humanism, astrology, spiritism, cults, and plurism, in short, toward spiritual decadence. Our faith in God has been compromised in such a way that it moves us close to paganism. Historian Max Lerner says, “We are living in a Babylonian society, perhaps more Babylonian than Babylon itself.” We are attempting to take God out of our schools, out of our pledge, out of our constitution, out of our heritage, and out of our justice system. When God Jehovah is out of America, America will be out of freedom.

Ann Graham Lotz was being interviewed on the Early Show in September of 2001 after the 9/11 attack. Jane Clayson asked her, “How could God let something like this happen?” This was her answer. “I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are. But for years, we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government, and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out.”

Question: How can we expect God to give us His protection and blessing when we demand He leave us alone? God will judge America as He will any other nation, because God hates wickedness no matter in what nation it is found. We have people and organizations within this country that would strip America of the Word of God and our faith, and we best not sit by and see it happen because, in the end, God will judge our nation, and He may choose pagan nations to do it. (Ill.: America/Gallup)

IV.What Can We Do Now?

1.Pray for our leaders and soldiers. This is priority. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” (1 Ti 2:1). President Bush has said, “Prayer is the greatest gift we can give anyone . . . . I believe in prayer. I pray for guidance, protection, forgiveness, and I give thanks to a kind and generous Almighty God. My faith sustains me because I pray for wisdom and strength, and if we commit our troops, pray for their safety and for innocent Iraqi people.”

In a day of crisis nationally and internationally, it is good to have a President who not only begins the day in prayer and prays through the day, but a Commander-in-Chief, who sets the pace in prayer for the American people. In March 10 Newsweek, “Bush and God,” the article reveals that the President arises before dawn, goes to a place to be alone to read—not the agenda of the day—the Bible and Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest. He is a man of character. He is to be trusted.

President Bush has said, “Faith not only comforts but also challenges.” In this day when terms like “mega-corpses” that refer to thousands of people destroyed at one time by biological, chemical, and nuclear warfare, our faith can bring great comfort and challenge us to be courageous in the face of evil.

2.Pray for our enemies. We are to love our enemies (Mt 5:44). But as C.S. Lewis says, “To love your enemy doesn't mean you never hold him accountable for his deeds.”

Praying for an enemy isn't easy. Even when we get past our feelings of anger, we struggle to know how to pray. We can pray for justice as David did (Ps 28:4) and for their forgiveness as Jesus did (Lk 23:34). The church is to be a praying people. Jesus said, “My house will be house of prayer” and that prayer is to even involve our enemies.

3.Mourn with those who mourn (Ro 12:15). All of us should grieve deeply with those who have lost loved ones either in the attacks of 9/11 or for our families who have lost family members in preparation for war, in battle, or while being stationed to keep peace. They need not only our tears but our presence.

4.Stand up for the innocent. We must be careful to avoid prejudice and anger toward innocent people of the Middle East descent. As Christians, we are not to be “naïve” (Mt 10:16), but we are to be compassionate.

5.Make peace with those around you. We may not murder with airplanes, guns, or anthrax, but we, too, often kills others in our hearts. As Jesus said, “I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Mt 5:21-22).

6.Teach the Biblical perspective. Never in our lifetime has so many people been asking about how to deal with conflict. This is a “teachable moment.” Engage family and friends with the Word of God.

7.Share the gospel of peace. God makes His appeal through us (2 Co 5:20) in sharing the “Prince of Peace.” The fields are truly “white unto harvest.” Now is the time to live the gospel and share the gospel.

While many of us are afraid to take a short-term mission trip, we must remember as Southern Baptists we have 5000 missionaries in 130 countries around the world—some of them in places of grave danger. We have seen some of our missionaries held hostage, some tortured, some killed. We must pray for them, especially those from our own church family. We must make wise decisions about going, but they must be courageous decisions. We are soldiers for Christ, and we are to act like it. The Bible uses soldier as an image of a Christian. The nobility of being a soldier is a transferable analogy, and as a Christian, we are told to fight spiritual warfare like a good soldier.

Laurie Johnson for the most part grew up at Westside. She is on assignment as a nurse in New York City. She visited the 9/11 site and saw the steel bars in the form of a cross. We have seen it on T.V. She writes, “When I stood in front of the cross that night, I prayed and thanked God for his presence on this earth and in my life. It was such a spiritual renewal for me and to believe that the Lord Jesus sent me this ‘message.' The symbols that I interpreted this concrete steel cross to be, is that God gives us the firm and strong foundation that we need in our daily lives. God is always there even in the midst of hatred and evil. We can just look at the evidence. The cross was the only structure left in one piece under all the ruble from the two towers. As a Christian, I still have a difficult time with the questions, ‘Why do bad things happen and why is there so much evil in the world?' I would say that the message I received, and I guess my answer might be, ‘The presence of God is around us always if we only choose to look for it. Once we decide to follow and obey God will there finally be peace on earth'.”

Once we decide to follow and obey God, will there finally be peace? We can be a part of the salvation, but we can't solve international issues of peace. But we can obey God in our personal lives and experience peace.

Do you need to make peace within your heart toward someone, peace with someone—a spouse, family member, co-worker, friend, or church member? Do you need to make peace with God?