Should a Christian Serve in the Military?

No, what I am saying is that I don't think people should so easily dismiss someone's belief that does feel it goes against their convictions as a Christian. I clearly said earlier I am not judging anyone who chooses to serve. I also am pointing out that there is more to consider than some people do. I couldn't kill someone in that situation for the reason I stated. Are you saying I am in error to feel convicted in Christ not to?

 

By far the majority of the deaths in Iraq are innocent Iraqi civilians. Hundreds of thousands vs. 30K Americans.

 

I served in two conflicts; Korea and the Suez Canal conflict. I never carried a weapon and never killed anyone. I did hold the hand of many dying men.

There are more ways to serve God and country than to carry a weapon. There is no excuse for not serving in time of war.

I was raised with the concept that is the duty of every son to serve, when required, God and country, and in that order. Seems strange that God should convict one different to the other in defending freedom. Freedom has come at great cost, and the wonderful blessing is that freedom serves even those who stay home.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Steven,

I think we probably can all say that this would have to be an individual decision, and I truly hope you can look at fellow Christians serving in the military and not judge them as somehow being less of a Christian for being in the military.

I know for me whenever ANYONE has the gall to compare serving in the military to abortion I immediately discount everything they had to say. As a lady and a mother it is that offensive to me to use such a horrible comparison.

As another example, my FIL served 20 years in the military and never killed a single person...and he served during Korea. But, if he had been in combat, I would not count that against him either. It is so important for our military that they differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. They are far more careful about this than any of our enemies of today are. It's not like we are discussing joining a group that would be gassing millions of innocent women and children in concentration camps. Any combat is mutual combat, and while regrettable, it is not comparable to murder.

 

1 Chronicles 16:8 Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.
16:9 Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works
Psalm 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings
Psalm 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name
[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica] [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Psalm 145:11 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica] [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Psalm 145:12 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.[/FONT]
Isaiah 12:4 In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Isaiah 12:5 Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.
Isaiah 45:24 They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.'" All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame
Israel was most cetainly a witness to the world. They understood this with clarity. Why did God raise up Daniel in a heathen economy. He became a witness of who God is.

Why did God raise up Joseph in a heathen economy? He became a witness to who God is.

Why did Jonah get sent to Niniveh? He was a witness to who God is.

God has not changed in this respect. Israel is a chosen people by God to be a witness and to deliver the savior. This is the same before and after the ressurrection.

 

To be fair, my perspective has definitely been shaped by the two major wars the U.S. has been engaged since I was old enough to form an opinion, Viet Nam and this Iraq war. I have no doubt that I would have felt differently during WWII. But I find it difficult in general to be a soldier in light of Christ's command:

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;


How can killing your enemies be justified when Jesus said to love them and to do good to them that hate you?

 

and one thing we've really started seeing come to the forefront is the realization that Christians in the military are sent all over the world, and they can thus carry the message of the gospel all over the world as they go.

 

S&N it is a reasonable question. We need to be cautious how we apply scripture. We need to measure it against other scripture to see how our interpretation pans out. Not every command is across the board.

 

S&N,

hate is not required in effective combat...in fact it ought to be avoided.


If a person comes after me or mine to harm us, than I don't have to hate them in order to defend myself.

Actually, I need to edit this in order to say that I would not try to convince you, S&N, that YOU ought to serve in the military. If it goes against your conscience than you should heed that. Don't join the military!

But I would try to encourage you to not condemn, judge or look down upon those of us who do not have the same difficulties with military service as you do. Do you know what I mean?

 

I believe I have stated two or three times, that I do not judge anyone who serves. Like you said it is a individual decision. I just think sometimes people have less tolerance for a Christian that feels it is wrong for him/ her, than the other way around. But rest assured I do not judge anyone in the military. I love all my brothers ans sisters in Christ.

 

That was a poor example by me, I responded quick without a lot of thought, I apologize. It doesn't change however how I feel. I feel I am instructed to love my enemies. I don't think wars of today can be compared to the wars of the OT were God commanded them. God is always correct and good. Of course the Godly men of the OT would be right in following his commands.

 

I appreciate your position. It is important to note that even wars in the OT were handled poorly even though they were sanctioned by God. Achans sin in the book of Joshua is a lcear example of that.

 

Do you really believe that soldiers carry the gospel as they kill their enemies? I don't accept that view.

 

Do you believe in the sanctity of life or just in sanctity of the life of the unborn?

 

I have a friend who has been in church work for several years and decided to join the Navy as a chaplain. He told me that he should have done it years ago. He also told me that the young men are wanting help and they are not like antagonists in the church.

 

Well Im sorry you don't accept that view, but I can't help it if you refuse to accept reality.

I know many soldiers who do indeed witness and carry the gospel to the countries where they are stationed.

I also know of many Christian soldiers involved right now in "military churches" on foreign soil where they are a huge asset to that ministry.

 

I believe it is heinous, evil, wicked, etc, etc, etc, to equate the life of an innocent, unborn baby with the life of a willing full-grown combatant in a war OR the life of a convicted criminal. I add that last because this is what usually comes up in the death penalty debate.

 

I'd recommend law school, then JAG.

If you decide not to do twenty years, the law degree will help you greatly.

 

So some lives are worth more than others. You're welcome to your belief but I think it's non-Christian. Whose life did Jesus consider to be worthless?

 

we're not talking value, dear sir, we are talking about one which is totally innocent and completely at the mercy of those around itself (an unborn baby), versus a grown person who decides to put his life at risk by entering into a war.

God Himself tells us to protect innocent life, and that is what our military here in America is supposed to be all about. Despite its problems, I do still believe that that is its main goal in the world.