Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Paradox of War and Pacifism

Throughout my Christian journey, I have noticed a strange aversion to the conspicuous pacifism of Jesus' life and teachings. Only a minority of denominations seem to take this issue seriously, while others blatantly contradict it, and the majority ignore it altogether. Since pacifism is not listed as a foundational principle of Christ in Hebrews 6:1-2 it should not separate believers. Nevertheless, what the church erects on that foundation is paramount. “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings of Christ and go on to maturity.” (Heb 6:1) Maturity is not selective obedience, it embraces all of Jesus' teachings. There is a judge for the one who rejects . . my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day.” Let me be clear, this is not some innocuous theological exercise. Our grasp of Jesus' non-resistance message has eternal consequences.

Biblical pacifism has been distorted and marginalized because it seems unpractical and idealistic, but ironically it is about to rudely demand our attention. Christians in America will soon be forced into dire situations compelling us to take a stand regarding war, persecution, political oppression and civil disobedience, and we must resolve these issues before it is too late.

THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
The New Testament actually defines itself as “The Gospel of Peace.” (Rom 10:15, Eph 6:15) and loudly proclaims: “Follow after peace with all men.” “Love you enemies.” “Do not use force against an evil man.” “Do not return evil for evil.” “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also.” “Avenge not yourselves.” “Overcome evil with good.” “Why not take wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” “I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefore be harmless.” “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” “He that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” "If your enemy is hungry, feed him . . .etc . .etc... How can you possibly discount such self-evident nonviolence?

The gospel of peace isn't some pleasant sentiment that ceases when your life is threatened. While Jesus was being unjustly crucified, he forgave his murderers. Yes, that was required for our salvation, but it was also an example of non-retaliation. “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. . .When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.(1 Pet 2:21-23)

The “Prince of Peace” described himself as “meek and lowly.” He was introduced to the world as the “Lamb of God,” and contrary to human logic the King of the Universe vanquished evil by meekness. Meekness is power and it's the meek, not the violent, who shall inherit the earth.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE OLD TESTAMENT?
But how do we reconcile the apparent contradiction between the old and new testaments? Under the old covenant, war, blood shed and retribution were sanctioned by God, but in the new covenant we are exhorted to love our enemies, resist not evil men, turn the other cheek and avenge not. How do we explain this if God is unchangeable? It cannot be explained by subverting the new testament's glaring pacifism. Physical nonviolence is a clear imperative that must be integrated into our lives.

Since the Fall there's been an increasing spiritual refinement which will consummate in the fullness of Christ in the church, and the incarnation of evil in unbelievers.(Mat 13:30) The end time church will manifest Christ “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,” (Eph 5:27) and the palpable love and peace of God will be the hallmark of this “holy and blameless” bride.

God has progressively revealed himself to mankind, holding each generation accountable for the light that's available. “Those times when men had no knowledge were overlooked by God; but now he gives orders to all men in every place to undergo a change of heart.” (Acts 17:30 BBE) Because of this evolving revelation of God, the old testament was lenient on man's hardness and depravity. But when the Light of the World appeared, the standard was elevated to perfect love. “You have heard it said of old, 'Do not murder,' but I say unto you do not even be angry...” (Mt 5:21-22)

The old testament is a brighter light than mans' innate conscience, but the brilliance of the new is unsurpassed. We must, therefore, interpret the old in the light of the new, not vice versa. The contrast between the old and new covenants is described as a “shadow” compared to an “exact image” (Heb 10:1) That's a profound difference.

In Jesus, not only do we see the exact image of the Father, but now every believer has access to His supernatural LOVE. This is revolutionary! The love, power and holiness of the kingdom of heaven literally inhabits the believer, something the old testament saints could scarcely imagine. The new covenant is so superior that Jesus made this astounding comparison: “He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than,” the greatest old testament saint! (Mt 11:11)

How could that possibly be? How could the least esteemed weakest christian be greater than the anointed and exalted John the Baptist? What exactly is this staggering distinction? It's the new creation. A miraculous re-birth is everything, religion avails nothing. (Gal 6:15) Old testament believers could be anointed but none were born-again. We now have the very nature of Christ in us, and “As He is, so are we in this world.” (1 Jn 4:17) This is the key to pacifism.

If you are “in Christ” your human spirit literally dwells in God's presence because “He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.”(1 Cor 6:17) Being “seated in heavenly places in Christ.”(Eph 2:6) is not poetic license, it's a transcendent reality. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (1 Cor 5:17) This newness forever separates us from the old covenant, (Heb 8:13) and from this world system. “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.” (2 Cor 6:17) Our citizenship is actually in heaven, and we are mere strangers and pilgrims in this secular world.(Phil 3:20; Heb 11:13)

THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Christians have been translated into another dimension called the Kingdom of God, (Col 1:13) alienating them from this world.(Jn 17:14) This kingdom was the core of Jesus' ministry, the heart of his prayers, his most mentioned topic, and he will not return until it's preached to the entire planet. It's the answer to all problems, seeking it is our ultimate agenda, love is its source, and its only definition is “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.(Rom 14:17) Therefore, participation in killing, violence, and oppression categorically excludes you from God's kingdom.

We must understand that “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Cor 15:50) It's naive idealism to think the church can transform inherently corrupt nations and institutions by flesh and blood. Jesus said, "My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it belonged to this world, my servants would fight.Fighting with the world's principles and weapons is anti-Christ.

Our citizenship in the Kingdom of Peace trumps any earthly allegiance.(Acts 5:29) Peace is the atmosphere of heaven, God's original intention for humanity, and he longs to manifest it on earth through the church.(Eph 1:10) But it comes only as believers refuse to submit to the strife of this world, (Rom 2:12) being harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.” (Phil 2:15)

The kingdoms of this world maintain peace by “rule of law,” but in the kingdom of God it's the “law of Love.” (Jas 2:8) Any action not motivated by love is alien to the Holy Spirit and therefore sin.(Gal 5:6; Rom 14:23) Our participation in this world's system is limited to love.

A HOUSE OF PRAYER
Our primal calling as believers is a “royal priesthood” or “kingdom of priests” and the only Biblical definition of the church is a “house of prayer for all nations.” (Isa 56:7; Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17; Lk 19:46) That's it. It's that simple! Our bodies are now the temple of God and prayer is the main event. Old testament priests were intercessors, not warriors,(Num 1:49; Mal 2) and we've inherited their legacy. The church's essential mission is not to legislate morality or impose a fascist agenda, but to pray! (Mt 21:13; Mk 11:17; Lk 19:46)

God's longing and ultimate intention is to eternally inhabit our hearts.(Eph 2:22) and peace resonates from that holy communion. Peace is so essential to God's true tabernacle (The Church) that David was told, “You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.” (1 Chron 28:3)

All wars are a conspiracy of spiritual entities deceiving and decimating humans. This is why prayer is man's ultimate weapon, and why Jesus gave us “power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy.” We are commanded to pray instantly, always, passionately, without ceasing, and in unity, for all men. The earth is man's domain and God awaits our intercession. (Ps 115:16; Ez 22:30)

Surely the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.”(Amos 3:7) God always reveals his warnings and strategies to those who are listening, so they will PRAY!

Through prayer, the church has a daunting responsibility to intervene in war and national affairs. I believe we will be astonished and horrified when we finally realize how the church's passivity, apathy and distraction has released a flood of evil upon the earth. Failure to intercede for the nations is a mockery of the cross of Christ.

Incidentally, the governmental leaders who wage wars and enforce capital punishment, are of this world and do not represent God's kingdom. (Rom 13) God appoints them based on the prayers and condition of the church. (1 Tim 2:2)

Jesus' war strategy is this: “Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him?. . .I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Lk 18:12-13) Day and night passionate intercession for the nations is the churches' only military role. God, not man, does the avenging. Yet, in the coming flood of darkness many believers will revert to the faithless world of violence, and Jesus will lament, “Why did you not trust me?”

GOD'S JUSTICE and VIOLENCE
God hates war because he is preeminently love, and the cry of his heart is for love to permeate and govern the earth. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” All creation was designed to operate by a love so perfect that evil must be vanquished for the sake of love. Love and evil are mutually exclusive, therefore, God's justice must be satisfied for love to reign on earth. “In righteousness He judges and makes war.” (Rev 19:11)

Jesus came to earth as a Lamb but he's returning as a Lion to forcibly take over, “When he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power “ (1 Cor 15:24; Rev 19:15)

With great anguish God mourns, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”(Eze 33:11) Wicked men are the cause of wars, and their rejection of God's love is a cosmic cancer which must be healed or excised. The mystery of iniquity is embedded in the mystery of free will, and logic cannot comprehend it, but in God's presence all questions are satisfied. “What shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? (I speak as a man)” (Rom3:5)

God's old testament involvement in brutal warfare, and new testament prophetic cataclysms can only be understood from an eternal perspective, because “from the beginning it was not so.” (Mk 10:5-6) This earthly crucible of time is merely a veiled collision of heaven and hell, a transient aberration where God foreknows our ultimate choice and interacts with us accordingly. (1 Pet 1:2) Multitudes are “living” on earth, yet they are actually dead (1 Tim 5:6; Rom 6:13) and God endures their sin for a season, but “My spirit shall not always strive with man.” (Gen 6:3)

We must concede that God's authority and wisdom far surpass man's jurisdiction; only God “is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mt 10:28) Man does not hold the keys to life and death. Only Jesus does. (Rev 1:18) The Lord holds exclusive rights to ultimate judgment and vengeance. (Rom 12:19) One only is the lawgiver and judge, even He who is able to save and to destroy (Jas. 4:12)

When James and John sought to consume offenders with fire from heaven, Jesus sharply pierced their old testament mentality as “He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.” (Lk 9:55) We can cry out for justice, but taking a life is not the prerogative of a Christian. (Rev 6:10; Lk 6:27)

THE REAL WAR
The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.” (1 Cor 15:46) Natural warfare has been preempted by spiritual warfare. In God's kingdom armaments have been replaced by the sword of the Spirit. As long as God's kingdom is under siege he will be a warrior and wage war through his people, the army of God. “Onward Christian soldiers” is more than a nostalgic anthem; it's a mandate to be understood and embraced. Let me be very clear. We are at war and we must fight. Biblical pacifism is not passivity. It's love refusing to be intimidated by evil! We are commanded to “resist” Satan while loving our enemies. (Jas 4;7; 1 Pet 5:9)

The kingdom is preached and “every man enters violently into it. (Lk 16:16) Such violence is certainly not physical. “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.” (2 Cor 10:3-4) That epitomizes the Christian position.

We are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” Wars are energized by a malignant hatred far beyond mans' invention. Such ingenious madness could only have a supernatural source. The satanic forces that enrage and enslave humans are the real enemy.(Eph 6:12) Humans are merely pawns in a spiritual war, because we have no real autonomy. We are designed only to be servants of a higher power, yet, we are accountable for that choice. (Rom 6:16)

Every human has been born into a spiritual war zone, and our primary directive is to recognize it and learn to fight. The vast majority of Christians tragically underestimate the gravity of this inexorable war, and such ignorance will assure your destruction. Jesus warned that few will battle their way to victory. (Mt 7:14) But you don't need to be an eternal casualty. Embrace humility and a radical love for truth, and God will amaze you.

PRAGMATIC NON-VIOLENCE
The Biblical case for non-violence is irrefutable and exceptionally apparent. Yet the question persists, how do we practically apply it?

First, let me emphatically repeat: “We are not fighting against people.”We do not war after the flesh.” and our “weapons are not carnal.” All new testament warfare is limited to the sword of the spirit, the Word of God - the only offensive weapon at our disposal. (Eph 6:13-18) Jesus never assaulted any one, nor addressed the brutal oppressive government of his day. He simply spoke the Word while demonstrating God's kingdom.

God loves all people and his love supersedes all mans' boundaries. Joshua asked the angel of the Lord, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" He answered, "Neither one! I am here as the commander of the Lord's army." (Jos 5:13-14) The Lord is not “for us or our enemies.” God's interest in human strife is radically different than ours. He's not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet 3:9) His heart is to restore mankind, bringing heaven to earth. Our role is to discern his specific will and pray until it manifests.

During WWII a dedicated band of Welsh believers experienced amazing breakthroughs in prayer that undoubtedly defeated the Nazis. Read about it in Rees Howells Intercessor. Under the burden and foresight of the Holy Spirit, these warriors prayed through every strategic battle of the war, resulting in a remarkable series of fatal mistakes by the Nazis.

The intense dedication and self sacrifice of these intercessors resembled that of the ground troops. Rees Howells remarked, “Why should we be freer in our part of the conflict than those who were engaged in the fighting on land, sea and in the air?” This is the call of the church in this last hour of the age. Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim 2:3)

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Ps 20:7 We have a choice. We can dedicate ourselves to prayer or we can embrace armaments. We can fight with the sword of the Spirit or with guns. We can trust in God or we can trust in man, but we can't trust in both. “No man is able to be a servant to two masters: for he will have hate for the one and love for the other, or he will keep to one and have no respect for the other.” (Mat 6:24) A zealous soldier and a bona fide pacifist will respect each others convictions, but like the servant of two masters, inner conflict will arise if you attempt to merge the two.

I have great respect for the U.S. Military. As a draftee during Vietnam, I trained at the infamous jungle infantry school, Tiger Land. Yet, I was terribly disturbed by the prospect of killing, so I requested conscientious objector status. After a meticulous background check my request was granted and I was assigned combat medic training. Once the army concluded that I was a genuine pacifist, they gave me unexpected respect, for which I commend them.

I cannot speak about anyone else. “Who am I to judge someone else's servant?”(Rom 14:4) If you are a Christian in the military or law enforcement I am truly grateful for your service. But I personally cannot incorporate the two roles. Eventually a conflict of conscience will arise. I am no purer than anyone else, but like everyone, I am accountable to God for what he reveals to me, and “To whoever much is given, of him will much be required ” (Lk 12:48)

SELF DEFENSE
Jesus made a bizarre comment contradicting his clear non violent stance. “If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Lk 26:35-38) But, when the eleven disciples disclosed that they had only two swords among them, Jesus' oddly responded, "That is enough." Then, he offered this intriguing explanation: He reminded them of a prophecy that the Messiah would be “numbered with the transgressors.” Possibly he was warning his disciples that they would be unprotected while he was numbered with sinners. God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin.” (2 Cor 5:21)

Whatever this puzzling passage means, we cannot base a doctrine of self-defense on one aberrant verse. Less than two hours later, consistent with his non-violence, Jesus rebuked a disciple for cutting off a man's ear: "Stop! No more of this! Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him.” l(Lk 22:51 NAS) Carrying a sword is not the issue; Jesus is not into control or censorship, but rather self-control and love.

Nevertheless, is there a point where killing in self defense is justified? We tend to visualize alarming “what if” scenarios that justify taking a life, and wonder, Where do we draw the line? The question reveals our carnal craving for rules and regulations. “Just give me a guideline!” There's a legalistic pharisee in all of us looking for security in doctrines, because our flesh is at variance with God and unable to trust Him. (Rom 7:18; Gal 5:17) But thankfully God is not a bureaucrat and the Bible is not a procedure manual. To the contrary, God's interaction with us is intimately personalized and unique. If we walk in the Spirit we have the ability to trust unconditionally. “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Cor 3:6)

I am not prepared to take an absolutely indomitable stand on deadly self-defense. There are horrific moral predicaments that confound all attempts to categorize or preempt them. Out of love for my family I would resort to violence if there were no other options to protect them. Yet, that statement implies a certain distrust of God.

Pacifism seems untenable because we don't want to pay the price of total trust in God. We underestimate the cost of true spiritual power over the enemy: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.(Rev 12:11) Those three things are the key to overcoming all our enemies.
  • The enemy abhors and fears the blood of the Lamb, a spiritual reality that we barely comprehend, yet it's power is absolute! But, the blood of the Lamb only protects those who are walking the light of the Holy Spirit (1 Jn 1:7)
  • The discord between heaven and earth is so vast that, if I seek to save my life I lose it, but ironically if I lose my life for God, I save it.(Lk 17:33) Losing my life is the price of total trust, yet remember,“Though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” (1 Cor 13:3) Many believers are dead to self, but they act like religious zombies, because they're also dead to God and are loveless. We must not only be “Dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ.” (Rom 6:11)
  • True moral authority comes only from direct personal experience with God, which births “The word of your testimony.” If it's not your own testimony then your sword is merely impotent indoctrination and tradition.

CONCLUSION
Believe” and “trust” are the same root word. It's a concept so fundamental to Christians that we are actually defined as “believers” (ones who trust.) This pervasive Biblical theme of trust is not just symbolic or spiritual, it's a basic premise of mans' earthly existence. Pacifism is not listed among the six foundational principles of Christ, but “trust” is, (Heb 6:1-2) and trust inevitably leads to pacifism. “Let all those that put their trust in God rejoice: because He defends them. (Ps 5:11)

In the midst of war, Rees Howell saw the simple down-to-earth domain of trust: “If you can believe that you have been delivered from hell, why can't you believe you have been delivered from air raids?” Our flesh wants to trust in guns, but our heart was designed to trust in its creator. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord” (Ps 112:7)

He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” (Rev 13:10) If we sow violence we will reap violence, if we sow love we will reap peace. Trusting in guns will disqualify you from the race, and abort your destiny because it's a choice of fear over faith. Jesus “entrusted himself to him who judges justly,(1 Pet 2:21-23) and, we his servants, are not exempt. (Mt 10:24)

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” (Rom 16:20) This irony captures the paradox of war and pacifism. The God of peace, not violence, will manifest victory under “your “ feet, as you embrace a life of prayer and trust.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 5:4) Refusal to love our enemies jeopardizes our very son-ship. “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.” Jesus offers no escape clause for loving our enemies.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Gal 5:6)

Copyright 2010 by Hayden Humphrey



















































1 comment:

  1. Hayden, this was Awesome! I've always had an aversion to wars, but at the same time vied some as "justifiable"...in instances like the Revolutionary, where an obviously corrupt power was hindering a fairly God loving and fearing group of people, but I would still question if even in that instance it was right or justified. I know that the Continental Congress at the time spent MANY hours in prayer before during and after everything they did, but have always wondered if war was the only possible course of action left to them and if their decisions were "sanctioned" by God. (on a side note, no such questions arose when President Bush II claimed that "his" wars were the "will of God", that was about as believable as Clinton not inhaling) I've had serious issues with the church for being so behind these pointless and illegal, immoral, aggressive wars...It's nice to know I'm not the only Christian left that sees war as un-Christlike. Thank you so much for this article. Would it be OK if I submitted this link to the Campaign for Liberty, a political group founded by Dr. Ron Paul who is also anti-war and a self professed born again Christian?

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