Question: “Hello Pastor Craig. What about the war in Iraq? Should we be fighting it?” – William.

Answer: Dear William, War is a horrible situation, no matter how you look at it. It destroys lives, and creates pain and suffering. We cannot minimize the horror of war, even if the conflict is on the other side of the world, and does not affect us personally. Yet, there ARE circumstances that ARE worth fighting for. The “peace at any cost” position is logically ridiculous. Let me illustrate: If someone grabbed your 10-year-old daughter with the intent to do her harm, would you fight to protect her? YOU BETCHA! Even if the girl was not your own daughter, you would be moved to do what you could, resorting to physical force to protect her. No loving person would simply yell, “Peace” and watch as the innocent is harmed. We WOULD resort to force to try to protect the innocent. The same situation applies in any country in the world. The Lord cares about the innocent who are taken advantage of, and He asks us to enforce justice. Yes, there ARE situations that dictate the use of force to stop evil! Edmund Burke said: “All that is necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”

However, rather than present only my own opinions about the current conflict, I will set out Biblical principle, and let the reader draw their own conclusions. These are the principles that should guide us in our positions concerning the use of physical violence, and going to war:

1.) Self defense: We are entitled to defend ourselves, our property and our families from those through lawlessness, who would harm us. This is a truth for us personally, and; corporately as a nation. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8).

2.) Standing against evil: We are commanded to stand against evil, even at cost to ourselves. Our God cares about the innocent, the weak and those who are taken advantage of. We should protect the weak, even with the use of force if necessary. “Depart from evil and do good, so you will abide forever. For the LORD loves justice and does not forsake His godly ones; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” (Psalm 37: 27).

3.) Sacrifice: Jesus said: “Greater love has no one than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). If we know and serve the Lord, we are called upon at times to be willing to give up even our own lives here on earth for the sake of another in the protection of freedom, liberty and righteousness. Obviously, the laying down of our lives involves conflict.

4.) Submitting to governmental authorities: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13: 1). We are called upon to support in prayer, and with our actions those who are our governmental authorities, unless they call upon us to violate scriptural principle.

Lastly, because we are a media driven society, we tend to formulate our opinions by watching the news media. We must remember that no media outlet is unbiased. I contend that we as individuals cannot know all the facts that our governmental leaders have access to. To become an “armchair quarterback,” and to think that we, who are far removed from the decision making process have all the answers, is a dangerous thing. If we spent as much time praying for our Nation’s leaders as we do criticizing them, I’m sure the Lord’s Will would be accomplished!

Blessings! – Pastor Craig