How has war been justified within Christianity, with respect to the New Testament and preferably the Gospels?
Upvote:1
On war: how has it been justified within Christianity, with respect to the New Testament, preferably the Gospels?
Many Christians believe they have the right to defend themselves against an open aggressor, even to go to war if necessary. See: Here.
We can notice in the Gospels that Our Lord never once condemned a soldier for being a soldier. In fact he once actually healed a Centurion’s servant.
The Faith of a Centurion
5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. - Matthew 8:5-10
If Jesus thought that war carried on by soldiers was unjustified; why then did he heal the centurion’s servant?
Romans tells us we should be subject to civil authorities at all times.
Submission to the Authorities
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. Romans 13:1-5
Let us not forget that St. Michael the Archangel fought the evil angels in the Book of Revelation.
The Book of Revelation demonstrates that the Angels fought Satan and his legions. Now if the Angels can fight against evil, it stands to reason man can fight in order to protect himself from being killed, pillaged and women from being raped!
Satan Thrown Down to Earth
7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back. - Revelation 12:7
Remember too that peace is to be sought out when possible. Let us recall the words of Jesus himself in the Gospel of St. Luke.
31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. - Luke 14:31-32
Never once did Jesus openly condemn being a soldier or making war on an enemy.
I really do not see how it is not possible to not fight forces of evil. Hitlers and Stalins must the be defeated. Surely others will arise and we must be ready.
More post
- 📝 Where do Christians stand on the topic of consuming "unclean" animals?
- 📝 What are the necessary circumstances that qualify a marriage for annulment in the Catholic Church?
- 📝 Has the Lord handed over the souls of the redeemed to St Michael?
- 📝 What should be a Christian's attitude when his prayers are not answered?
- 📝 What is Book of Esthers purpose?
- 📝 What is the Biblical basis for born-again virginity?
- 📝 Which Reformation theologians used the analogy of water and ink for sin?
- 📝 Jesus called God his own Father, and this is supposed to mean that Jesus is equal with God. Why?
- 📝 Are there Christians who believe that Jesus does not have a physical body right now?
- 📝 According to Catholic teaching and theology, can man ever see God as he really is?
- 📝 Anglican Absolution
- 📝 Is the Catholic Church the oldest church?
- 📝 Was the 1914 prophecy (derived from the book of Daniel) ever mentioned in any newspapers before World War I?
- 📝 What objective, foolproof method do Eastern Orthodox have for working out which side is correct in the case of a Schism?
- 📝 Catholic marriage between a Catholic and baptised non-Christian
- 📝 In John 8, were the scribes and pharisees guilty of the sin of Fornication / Adultery?
- 📝 What does the moniker "the beloved disciple" imply about the marital status of John the Evangelist?
- 📝 Longevity of biblical manuscripts
- 📝 Is the Pope allowed to notarize various Vatican documents?
- 📝 Did Jesus die on the cross crucified or was he hung to death from a tree?
- 📝 Is there a significance of the "Christian name"?
- 📝 Does Romans 8:1 Cast Doubt On Purgatory?
- 📝 Feast of the Holy Innocents traditions?
- 📝 Where in the Bible does it mention that every person has a guardian angel?
- 📝 Ten commandments contradiction
- 📝 Is paganism compatible with Christianity?
- 📝 Exodus as justification for political or religious terrorism?
- 📝 Why do the Evangelists Matthew, Mark and John not give narrative account of the Ascension?
- 📝 Does the Catholic Church still stand behind Isaiah 14:21?
- 📝 According to Catholic doctrine, how can an angel be a saint?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 How has war been justified within Christianity, with respect to the New Testament and preferably the Gospels?
- 📝 Has a substantial case been made from the New Testament that burning heretics is against the will of the Spirit?
- 📝 How were the books of the New Testament chosen?
- 📝 How can we trust the Bible after it has been translated to another language?
- 📝 Into how many languages has the Bible been translated?
- 📝 How has apostolic succession been "unbroken" in the wake of depositions, antipopes, immorality, and simony?
- 📝 How long has the church been observing Lent?
- 📝 How does Christianity deal with biblical criticism related to the Old Testament?
- 📝 How is the 'New Perspective on Paul' different from Catholicism with respect to good works?
- 📝 How do evangelical universalists reconcile their position with the designation for Judas that it would be better if he had never been born?
- 📝 Into how many languages has the Book of Mormon been translated?
- 📝 John 1:18 - "No one has ever seen God" - How do Trinitarians reconcile this scripture with the belief that the Lord Jesus Christ is God?
- 📝 How many languages has the King James Version been translated into?
- 📝 Has the term "born again" always been synonymous with baptism with the Christians of the Early Church?
- 📝 How does the New Testament define a Christian and a non-Christian, a brother in Christ and not a brother in Christ?
- 📝 Have there been any attempt in Christianity to draw a set of rules or principles on how the Bible must be interpreted?
- 📝 How did John Calvin reconcile killing followers of opposing religious views with the New Testament?
- 📝 How is the claim that the doctrine of Papal Infallibility has always existed within the Church substantiated?
- 📝 Have there been such an attempt made to make the comprehensive list of all New Testament scrolls ever found?
- 📝 What arguments have been offered as to how Christianity is incompatible with a system of forced collectivism?
- 📝 How do Evangelicals understand "holy children" in 1 Cor 7:14, with respect to the salvation of children dying in infancy?
- 📝 How many New Testament Manuscripts do we have from the period between the first century and the fourth century?
- 📝 How can we be with Christ when we die, if Christ has a glorified body and we won't until the resurrection?
- 📝 According to Roman Catholicism, can the death penalty for heresy be squared with any New Testament teaching?
- 📝 How does Christianity work with all the biblical covenants?
- 📝 Into how many languages has the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrines and Covenants been translated?
- 📝 How has the ontological argument been used to explain the Trinity?
- 📝 How many times does the New Testament quote the Old Testament?
- 📝 How does the Catholic church deal with the differences between the God described in the old and new Testaments?
- 📝 Does the New Testament have any mention of Kolob and if not, how come?