Soldiers, War, and the New Testament
Part 1 | Part 2
Following is a summation of a number of questions from United States Armed Forces personnel in Iraq.
As a “born again” Christian serving in Iraq, how can I reconcile New Testament teaching with my assignment? I have studied much in the Old Testament regarding war and warfare, and I know God used and blessed those who fought for God’s righteous cause at that time. However, the New Testament doesn’t seem to offer much support, direction, or encouragement for soldiers. Can you help me with this dilemma, and remove some of the confusion?
For more information related to this topic, check out Bob Yandian’s teaching series
and/or book entitled One Nation Under God.
It is truly an honor to have this opportunity to speak into your lives. As a veteran of the Vietnam era, I have a deep regard for those in the armed forces. I hope my words can bring the encouragement you desire and need. Your voluntary service to our country is greatly appreciated, even if it is not always recognized. Thank you! You are all constantly in my prayers.
In order to properly address these questions, we must be able to understand the separation between our role as believers (the mission of the Church), and our place as citizens of an earthly government.
The first issue I want to address is one you already recognized as evidenced in your questions. There is definitely a great difference between the way God worked through His people in the Old Testament and the way He wants to use the Church in the New Testament. Our mission, the work of the New Testament believer, is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind. We are building a “spiritual kingdom” in which Jesus Christ reigns as King and Lord.
This differs greatly from the mission, the life—the fight of the Old Testament believer. They were struggling for their physical lives against the forces of this world in order to build a “family”—a kingdom to be used by God in bringing the Messiah into the world. Although Old Testament soldiers had God fighting on their side, they had to fight their enemies according to the principles of the natural world. They used swords, spears, stones—armed warriors—to overcome or to defend. Even during those times when God intervened in their battles, He used both natural and supernatural elements to destroy physical enemies, armies, and strongholds, and through their defeats, taught them obedience and commitment. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were His people and Israel was His nation.
However, the “fight” of the Church today differs from that of Old Testament believers. As Jesus stood before Pilate, He declared His Kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). Previously, He instructed those who tested Him to give Caesar the honor due him as a representative of the Roman Empire while also giving God the honor rightfully due Him (Matthew 22:16–21). The mission of the Church is to proclaim the Gospel—not to conquer nations, subdue people, or bring judgment. My responsibility as a teacher in the body of Christ is to bring people to the knowledge of God’s Word and lead unbelievers to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
This is the mission of the Church—of every born again believer. However, we live in a world that is filled with all manner of evil. The purposes of evil men, oppressive governments, and satanically inspired people must somehow be subdued. The Church teaches/preaches truth, peace, freedom in Christ, but we are not called to subdue the works of evil persons. God has established earthly governments for that purpose. As they fulfill their roles to establish order and earthly justice, the Church and the believers are free to pursue and fulfill our purpose of bringing mankind the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Just as the Church is in a spiritual battle for righteousness, earthly governments are called and appointed by God to establish peace and justice in society.
Romans 13:1-7:
Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. 2) So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God's command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves. 3) For rulers are not [to be seen as] a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. 4) For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. [The] government is [to be] God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong. 5) Therefore, you must submit [to its laws and ordinances], not only because of [the fear of] wrath, but also because of your conscience [as a believer]. 6) And for this reason you pay taxes, since the authorities are God's public servants, continually attending to these tasks. 7) Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)
That’s a long passage, but it is fairly clear in meaning. God has set government in place to be a ”terror” to evil—bringing earthly judgment upon those who live outside the established law. Now, that certainly doesn’t mean all forms, individuals, and governing bodies are godly or righteous, for clearly they are not. Throughout the Old Testament, God used righteous people to subdue evil government. He desires that they rule in a righteous and merciful manner.
The apostle Paul was clearly aware of the tension that existed between his mission to preach the Gospel, and the command to obey civil authorities. A study of his letters to the churches and the book of Acts reveal how well he used his “liberty” as a Roman citizen to gain access to all that Roman law allowed while, at the same time, never compromising his message, even under threat of imprisonment and/or punishment.
My point here is simply this: The peace of Rome was an integral part of the success of the early church to carry the Gospel to the known world. The Roman army is credited for maintaining this peace. They subdued rebels and criminals, established uniform law, enforced civil obedience, and defended the nation against invasion and anarchy. Beyond that, a study of history will also reveal that the armies of Rome were responsible for most of the highways, bridges, aqueducts, and other civic projects. They even assisted local governments and religious groups in building projects as acts of benevolence to gain the favor of society.
Consider:
Luke 7:3-5:
When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. 4) When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy for You to grant this, 5) because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue."
This was not an isolated incident. According to Roman history, the centurions were renowned for these acts of benevolence (yet, it is more common to hear about their brutality). Of course, you and I know not everything they did was of godly character, but it is also evident God used this specific time to send His Son.
Galatians 4:4:
But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law.
God was not only using the Jewish nation and the Old Testament Law to accomplish His purpose, but also the Roman government and its policies. The orderly operation of government was an essential part of the timing for Messiah’s birth.
The military and the law enforcement agencies maintain the civil order in society and the world so we (the Church) can preach the Gospel. As a soldier, you are doing your duty, so we (the Church) can do ours. Many of our military personnel are believers and as believers they pray, witness in word and deed, encourage, and help the oppressed and the poor. As “soldiers” (I use that term as a general reference to all military service personnel), you subdue, defend, rescue, and execute God’s civil judgment. We owe a great debt of gratitude to your sacrifice. Your vigilance and selflessness lend stability and peace to our world and that “peace and quiet” is a necessary element in our presentation of the Gospel.
1 Timothy 2:1-4:
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2) for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3) This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4) who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Paul openly states that prayers of all types are to be made for government so we may live in peace and quiet. Those two words convey a meaning of internal and external peace. The internal peace comes from our confidence that God will keep us safe through any storm. The external peace is the result of believers taking authority through the power of prayer over all that causes trouble in this world. Why is that important? Why does it please God that we live in internal and external peace? God desires all men to be saved. Times of civil unrest and anarchy are not conducive to the spreading of the Gospel. Our prayers are for our “soldiers” (as the enforcement arm of government) to help establish “quiet” in this troubled world; for them to have the strength and wisdom to overcome the strategies of evil men and anarchists; and for the swift execution of justice to subdue those who wage war on society and oppress the population.
That is exactly what you are doing! Your mission as “soldiers” is to establish order. That includes the disarming and removing of elements that are a threat to society, the imposing of civil law and obedience, and the restoration of public services and governmental authorities.
I wish more of the news media would report on the great public projects you are accomplishing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, only those who read the military news sites know what good you are doing, and how well it is being received by the population. These actions can be done in a peaceful manner, or it may require the execution of severe judgment—all depending upon the response of the opposing elements.
This has nothing directly to do with your standing as a believer in Jesus Christ. Believer or non-believer, those involved in righteous civil government are fulfilling God’s purpose, whether they be a member of the military services, the law enforcement agencies, or the judicial system. Certainly, as believers they may gain an added perspective as they do their work as unto the Lord, but all are serving God’s ordained plan.
For example, suppose there is a judge who is a true believer in Jesus Christ. His faith does not alter his judicial duties. He is responsible to judge by the “law of the land”—the Constitution of the United States, and the codes derived from that instrument. As a believer, he is responsible to God for his witness to the salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ. As a judge, he is responsible to United States law.
As a “soldier,” you are responsible for establishing civil obedience. As a believer, you are responsible for living before God in righteousness and faith, and to witness to His Gospel. Your service as “soldiers” brings security and stability to our society. It is easy for us to revel in the liberty and freedom we enjoy, and never recognize the sacrifice that has been and is being made to secure that freedom. The work of defending our nation takes place in faraway places, out of our sight, and usually out of our thoughts. And it is your express desire that it remains that way—yes, our armed forces personnel labor tirelessly, and shed their own blood that they may never fight a war on their native soil. We owe you and all those who have served a very deep debt of gratitude.
In the second part of this response I will address some New Testament passages that use military imagery to teach lessons to believers. I will be focusing mainly on these examples to highlight the positive aspects that the apostle Paul uses as he looks at a successful “soldier” or military campaign. These passages show that there are admirable qualities in military service—principles which we should follow after in our own lives.
I trust these words have helped and encouraged you—you are in our prayers. Thank you!
Geof W. Jackson,
Director of the Grace School of Ministry/Director of Pastoral Care
Copyright 2009 by Bob Yandian Ministries.
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