Should Christians Fight in Wars?

Should Christians fight in their nation’s wars?

Well it depends on whom you ask.

Many Christians believe strongly that it is their responsibility to fight in their nation’s wars in order to protect their freedoms. It’s a matter of patriotic duty and Scriptures are often found to support this position. 

Yet there are those Christians who believe it is morally reprehensible to kill another human being no matter the reason and they too use Scripture to support their view.

Then there are those who fall somewhere in between these two extremes and aren’t quite sure what to believe about Christians fighting in wars.

It’s a tough question. It really is,  since so many assume that we live in a Christian nation.

So is there a Biblical way out of this conundrum? I actually believe there is.

Let's look at a couple of text for guidance: Romans 12-13 and Matthew 5.

Romans 13 is often cited as evidence that Christians are under Divine obligation to support or fight in their nation’s wars, in particular verses 3-4 which are often quoted as evidence for this position: 

“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.”

Read in isolation these two verses seem to suggest that God sanctions rulers to use violence in order to promote good. It is then logically assumed  that Christians are to obey the authorities when ordered to support their nation's wars.

But there is another way to read this text. 

Please note that the original books and letters in the Bible were not divided into chapters or verses. Unfortunately not knowing this can interrupt the natural flow of the narrative and lead one to read a text out of context. This in turn cause serious misinterpretations. This is the case for Romans 13.

Yet if we slide back into chapter 12 of Romans Paul makes it abundantly clear what the Christian response to conflict and war is. Writes Paul:

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Italics added).

Now let's look at Matthew 5 and  Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount: 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”

It seems that Paul and Jesus were operating off the same sheet of music.

So what about Romans 13 then? Well Paul was simply stating the obvious wasn’t he? It is the natural responsibility of rulers or governments to maintain law and order  for those living within their jurisdiction. This is the way the world works. This is the function of governments. 

Simply put, God allows world leaders to operate in such a manner in spite of the heartache they often causes him by abusing their power (viz., Hitler, Stalin, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, etc).

God allows governments or Nation States to exist for the purpose of doing good and unfortunately these governments must sometimes use the “sword” to accomplish this task. This is simply a matter of fact for Paul. Paul was not passing moral judgment on nations or rulers. He was simply stating a matter of fact.

This is the way the world works and God uses these methods for our own good.

So there is nothing in Romans 13 that suggests that Christians are Divinely obligated to fight in their nation’s wars.

So what it boils down to is a matter of personal conscience or conviction. Each Christian must decide what his or her obligation will be when called upon to participate in war. But Scripture must be a major player in helping one make that decision. It’s not just a matter of opinion!

Now some Christians believe that when war is just, then it is morally acceptable for them to participate in war. I would point out that everybody thinks their nation’s wars are just or justified.

So who’s right? Whose war is the most just? 

Once again an appeal to Romans 12 is most significant in my opinion. If there is ever any question as to what you are obligated to do as a Christian then I suggest you prayerfully consider Romans 12:9-21 and Matthew 5:9-12 and 43-46.

Let Scripture guide you.