A Time for War
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
Ecclesiastes was right, and Christian writers
agree.
A Time for War
by Greg A. Tidwell
It was bound to happen; only a matter of months
since Islamic terrorists violated our nation's
security, and yet an antiwar movement is growing.
Since the 1960s, our nation's media elite has worn
a disdain for American institutions, and
especially a contempt for the American military,
as a badge of honor. These opinion leaders were
temporarily silenced by the nation's outrage at
the World Trade Center attack, but have steadily
and stealthily attempted to undermine the
national resolve to seek justice through military
action.
When There Is No Peace
Is war ever desirable? In one sense, no Christian
needs to even reflect to answer. Our Lord is "the
Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Violence is never,
in itself, preferable to peace: "for God is not a
God of confusion but of peace," as the Apostle
Paul noted. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
Sometimes, however, sinful men thrust violence
into human affairs, and integrity requires the use
of force to oppose the force of injustice.
Violence is justified in preventing injustice, and
violence is required in rendering justice in
extreme situations: "Whoever sheds the blood of
man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made
man in his own image." (Genesis 9:6)
A Just War
War, while always regrettable, is often admirable
and sometimes demanded by honor and integrity. God
authorized human government "to punish those who
do evil." (1 Peter 2:14) One aspect of faith
commended among God's people is that they "became
mighty in war." (Hebrews 11:34)
Beyond the clear right of the United States to use
military action in self-defense, she has an
obligation to protect the innocent. Twice in the
last century America went to war in Europe to
deliver nations, notably France and Germany, from
oppression. Ridding Iraq of its evil dictator is a
moral goal, as was freeing Germany from the grasp
of Hitler.
Christians, and indeed all men of good will,
should support the liberation of the Iraqi people
from this cruel tyrant.