Then said Jesus unto him, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” - Matthew 26:52 KJV
The above comes from the scene in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus is being arrested. He had told his disciples several times that he will be betrayed, handed over, killed, and rise again, yet one of his followers does not understand. Thinking that Jesus needs defending, he pulls out his sword, strikes and cuts off the ear of a slave of the high priest. Jesus intercedes and stops the immediate violence from escalating. Different conclusions may be drawn from this. Some might say that Jesus is prohibiting violence and that would be consistent with others things he says such as turning the other cheek and praying for enemies and persecutors. Others might say that Jesus is pointing to the necessity of his dying as well as the general truth that violence begets violence. With two thousands years for reflection, the conclusions are many more. What do you say?
On a much larger scale, Christians have been confronted with the question “Is it ever morally correct for a Christian to go to war?” There is no single answer to this question but the church has spoken at various times to provide guidance. Several of the early Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr (d. 160 AD), Tatian (d. 185 AD), and Tertullian (d. 220 AD), argued for Christian passivism. Christians should not serve in the military as that could result in taking life. Similarly, serving as a magistrate with authority over capital offenses was also prohibited. Note however, that the Bible points to righteous Roman soldiers - Cornelius the Centurion for example and perhaps both the centurion at Capernaum with the ill servant and the centurion at the cross. It is likely that the real issue was a strongly held belief in the sanctity of life as well as the command to love one another.
Later, Augustine of Hippo (d. 430 AD), drawing upon earlier pagan writing, developed a set of principles that became known as Just War Theory. His argument recognizes that it is morally correct (“just” or “righteous”) to come to the aid and defense of the innocent, and that to do so may require the use of deadly force. His principles are the classic statement on warfare, setting out the standards for a morally justified cause for engaging in warfare and the morally justified execution and outcome of warfare.
These principles came to shape our modern international relations and the Geneva Convention. In short, Just War Theory says that deadly force is a last resort option used to stop aggression against the innocent. It must have peace as its goal, not vengeance nor territorial gain nor enrichment. That force must be proportional and not excessive, differentiating combatants from the innocent, and that only in cases where success is probable is war justified. Lastly, justice requires that resumption of peace, rehabilitation, restoration, and rebuilding, rather than punishment be the outcome of war. One might wonder who is to decide. What do you say?
As we are a nation currently at war, and there are more than 130 active armed conflicts worldwide, I say we pray.
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Peace to you,
Fr. Bill+