The Christian And War May a Christian scripturally

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The Christian And War May a Christian scripturally function as a punitive agent of

The Christian And War May a Christian scripturally function as a punitive agent of the state?

A Punitive Agent of the State • Military service • Law enforcement • Capital

A Punitive Agent of the State • Military service • Law enforcement • Capital punishment • Security guard • Self-defense

The Christian and War Three Views Pacifist / Non-combatant Selectivist / Combatant Activist /

The Christian and War Three Views Pacifist / Non-combatant Selectivist / Combatant Activist / Combatant 1. Total abstinence “Just war” … killing limited to the evildoer “Total war” … killing all who are in the area 2. Conscientious objector

The Christian and War Non-combatant Position Combatant Position Baron W. Stone Alexander Campbell Tolbert

The Christian and War Non-combatant Position Combatant Position Baron W. Stone Alexander Campbell Tolbert Fanning David Lipscomb H. Leo Boles John T. Lewis Bennie Lee Fudge Foy E. Wallace, Jr. Cled Wallace R. L. Whiteside P. W. Stonestreet G. H. P. Showalter James D. Bales Allan Turner

Activism Defended • “Total war” - any and all means are necessary in killing

Activism Defended • “Total war” - any and all means are necessary in killing the enemy including those around them • There is no biblical justification for this position

Pacifism Defended • All wars are evil; for sinners only • Wars violate “Thou

Pacifism Defended • All wars are evil; for sinners only • Wars violate “Thou shalt not kill…” • Save people, not kill them (Mt. 28: 19) • Spiritual kingdom (Jn. 18: 36) • Be merciful and peaceful (Mt. 5: 7 -9)

Pacifism Defended • Violates the golden rule (Mt. 7: 12) • Love enemies, not

Pacifism Defended • Violates the golden rule (Mt. 7: 12) • Love enemies, not kill them (Mt. 5: 43 -48) • Vengeance belongs to God (Rom. 12: 19) • Peace prophesied (Isa. 2: 4; Mic. 4: 3) • Do not resist (Mt. 5: 39)

Pacifism Defended • War is murdering (Gal. 5: 19 -21) • Put up the

Pacifism Defended • War is murdering (Gal. 5: 19 -21) • Put up the sword (Mt. 26: 52) • Judge not those without (1 Cor. 5: 12 -13) • You may unintentionally kill another Christian

Selectivism Defended • Jewish wars in the OT (Joshua – Judges) • Christ in

Selectivism Defended • Jewish wars in the OT (Joshua – Judges) • Christ in the temple (Jn. 2: 13 -16) • Buy a sword (Lk. 22: 35 -38) • John the Baptist and soldiers (Lk. 3: 12 -14) • Cornelius (Acts 10)

Selectivism Defended • Philippian jailor (Acts 16: 23 ff) • Paul’s use of soldiers

Selectivism Defended • Philippian jailor (Acts 16: 23 ff) • Paul’s use of soldiers (Acts 23 -25) • Render unto Caesar (Mt. 22: 21) • Civil government is “good” (Rom. 13: 1 -7)

Selectivism Defended (Requirements of a “Just War”) • War must be the last resort

Selectivism Defended (Requirements of a “Just War”) • War must be the last resort (Rom. 12: 18) • Only one side is justified in fighting • Adequate cause / motive (Rom. 12: 9) • Legitimate aim • Proper spirit

Selectivism Defended (Requirements of a “Just War”) • Proper authority (Rom. 13: 1 -7)

Selectivism Defended (Requirements of a “Just War”) • Proper authority (Rom. 13: 1 -7) • Just execution: target the evildoer only; reduce collateral damage • Two-fold beneficial victory (1 Pet. 2: 14)

Concluding Thoughts • There is “a time to kill” … “a time for war”

Concluding Thoughts • There is “a time to kill” … “a time for war” (Eccl. 3: 1 -11) • Do not twist the scriptures to defend the noncombatant or combatant position • Agree that the evil must be punished (Eccl. 8: 11) and the innocent protected, (Obad. 1014), and work together with the conscience of your fellow-brother in Christ on the who and the how of this