At the time of this writing, Israel has just been savagely attacked by Hamas — plunging a region characterized by instability into war once again. It’s been nineteen months since Russia invaded Ukraine — triggering a war that has cost the lives of approximately half a million people. And that’s not all.
According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP), there are currently 27 ongoing armed conflicts happening now. The UCDP defines an armed conflict as having at least 25 battle-related deaths per year. The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights defines an armed conflict more broadly. By their measure, there are more than 110 ongoing conflicts around the world as of this writing.
All this makes one wonder…
Is war ever justified?
In the Old Testament, God ordered the Israelites to wage war against several tribal nations, mainly in the land of Canaan. Even after Israel had established itself within the “Promised Land,” wars continued, from the period of the judges (Samson, Gideon, etc.) through the kings (Saul, David, Hezekiah, etc.).
Some Christians argue that this was the Old Testament reality and that Jesus swept all that aside when he ushered in peace and non-violence.
The problem with this view is that sin was not wiped away by Jesus. The price of sin was paid for on the cross (see John 3, Romans 10, Ephesians 2, etc.), but sin itself persists in this present world. And war is among sin’s most grievous consequences.
War is a reality in a sinful world.
And we live in a sinful, fallen world. So, what do we do about this?
According to the Bible, we are to seek and pursue peace…
- Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
- Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
- If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18)
- Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (Hebrews 12:14)
- Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:11)
Of course, peace isn’t always possible…something Paul alludes to in Romans 12:18 (see above).
What then?
This is where the biblical purpose of civil government (in a fallen world) comes in. The apostle Paul tells the church in Rome that the civil authority “does not bear the sword in vain,” but “is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4, NKJV).
It is, of course, true that many civil rulers do not “execute wrath” against “evil,” but are instead themselves purveyors of evil. Paul wasn’t writing that all rulers are good. Rather, he was laying out the purpose of government.
It is the purpose of government to restrain evil and protect the innocent. This is seen again in his letter to Timothy, where he urges his young protege to “pray for those in authority,” so that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (I Timothy 2:1-2, KJV)
In order for the government to provide a “quiet and peaceable life” (I Timothy 2, KJV) for its people and to “execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13, NKJV), the government must “bear the sword” (Romans 13, KJV).
The “sword” represents power, specifically the power to take life. This applies, in principle, to law enforcement, capital punishment, and war.
Therefore, it would seem that civil authorities (and those citizens living under said authorities) are permitted to take up arms in certain situations to restrain evil and protect the innocent. And that’s what led the great theologian Augustine to articulate the “just war theory.”
The “Just War Theory” holds that wars are necessary under certain conditions, but that certain moral guidelines should be observed, among them:
- War must be waged only for a just cause.
- Peaceful means of settling the conflict should first be pursued.
- The war must not target innocent civilians.
- The war should not cause greater evil than that which it is trying to eliminate.
- The war must be waged by a legitimate (or structurally accountable) authority.
There are many variations of the Just War Theory, but the main concept behind it is simple: The government’s authority to wage war (and thus take life) is not absolute but rather hinges on its adhering to certain moral, God-ordained principles of justice.
The Bible does teach that God’s people should pursue peace. And we should see war for what it is — a terrible tragedy brought on by sin. No Christian should be seen as a warmonger. And no Christian should cheer the loss of life. However, there may be times when it’s necessary for God’s people to take up arms and even to take life.
While we are here, let us pray for peace, seek peace, and pursue peace. And look forward to the return of the Prince of Peace.
For more on this topic:
Amen Pastor!
This really hit home as a Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran. I saw the worst of the worst in Nam, so I can attest to war and what it means. No one should ever experience what the military does in the time of war, but someone has to do the job and the experience forever changed my way of life. I was made a real believer in our Lord in that war.