 |
Has the Church Ever Found An Unjust War?
by Jon Zens, Searching Together ( searchingtogether.org )
I've been thinking for some time, but more pointedly recently, about how
the visible church has an image in the public eye of always approbating
each new war that comes along. As you look back over the history since
Constantine, the church has pretty much put its imprimatur on conflict
after conflict. The obvious disparity between the peaceful Christ who
did no violence, and the war-approving track record of those who confess
allegiance to the Messiah, seems to be questioned by few.
Recently, Sam Duncan wrote to "Baptists Today" and observed, "Lotz also
says that [Billy] Graham is a model of moral integrity since he has not
fallen because of money or sex. But Graham has preached about peace, yet
he seems to have never met a war he didn't like. He has supported every
U.S. President in every war, providing a cover of moral justification for
policies that are far from those of the Prince of Peace. Integrity
demands consistency, not a pick-and-choose mentality" (Feb., 2003, p.8).
All one has to do is read Ray Abrams' chapters, "The Church As Servant Of
The State," and "The Church Contributes To War-Time Hysteria," to see how
quickly and unthinkingly the ecclesiastical realm caves in to
nationalistic agendas ("Preachers Present Arms"). Every time I read
Abrams' material, chills go up my spine, and the churches for the most
part continue to rubberstamp whatever propaganda is doled out by the
civiil authorities.
We live in a fallen order and wars are inevitable. But it is far past
time for the church to be more discerning and to stop being shaped like a
passive piece of clay into un-Christlike images by the powers that be.
Shouldn't eyebrows be raised when the voices shouting loudest for war
originate from Christian leaders? We are so used to keeping in step with
the war-program that it is very difficult for us to say "No!" to the
cultural frenzy for conflict. Why do we forget the axiom of the Master,
"Those who take up the sword will perish with the sword"? Didn't the
Psalmist pronounce a blessing on those who didn't trust in chariots and
horses?
When is the church going to find a war it doesn't like?
For Further Thought:
Ray Abrams, "Preachers Present Arms: The Role of the American Churches &
Clergy in World Wars I & II," Herald Press, 1968.
John Driver, "How Christians Made Peace With War," Herald Press, 1988.
Leonard Verduin, "The Reformers & Their Stepchildren," Eerdmans, 1964.
|
|
