AN OPEN LETTER IN REPLY TO THE ARTICLE
"SHOULD A CHRISTIAN GO TO WAR?"
PART TWO
"It has been 'supposed' at the beginning of this 'Open Letter' that I am a young Christian man, but actually I am now an elder one, and for many years a Bible student, who ought to be thoroughly familiar with his New Testament and the 'mind of Christ' in it, so let us 'suppose' that I have prayerfully reviewed the article in question, 'SHOULD A CHRISTIAN GO TO WAR?' Perhaps the writer may be mistaken as to what he believes 'is God's will for the Christian.'
"Having read and re-read it very carefully, it seems to me that the whole tenor of the article is that a Christian is to judge what is unrighteous in society in general and among nations, and to join hands with both civil and military powers to 'fight for life and liberty and the protection of kindred and country... to defend our homes, our country, our loved ones, in order that we may worship God according to the dictates of our conscience, in order that there may be "life and liberty for all".'
"It does not seem to me that he is in 'the mind of Christ,' but rather in the spirit of a past dispensation, for he is ready, not only to pass judgment on the world (nations whose conduct he considers unrighteous—to 'defend helpless peoples against a bandit nation as in this present war'), but also to execute judgment by means of carnal weapons of warfare. But God did not send His Son into the world for that purpose: for example, 'some told Him (Jesus) of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, "Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish... "' (Luke 13:1-31There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:1‑3)). Those Galileans were worshipping God 'according to the dictates' of their 'conscience' and Pilate cruelly murdered them. Jesus refused to judge Pilate at that time, for He had not come to 'set the world right;' but He solemnly warned those who advised Him of that terrible act of injustice, that He was looking for 'repentance toward God' in they themselves on account of their own sins, and failing that, of judgment later on.
"The author of this article has things on earth that he values and would fight with carnal weapons of warfare to defend and retain. What fellowship would he have had with those of whom it is written: 'ye... took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in your-selves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance' (Heb. 10:3434For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. (Hebrews 10:34))? He does not appear to be at all of a mind to be conformed to the following as normal Christian experience: 'for Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter' (Rom. 8:3636As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Romans 8:36)), whether husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter, brother or sister.
"And how does his doctrine accord with this touching resume of the sufferings of the worthies of old?—: 'Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.' (Heb. 11:35-3835Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. (Hebrews 11:35‑38)).
"The whole tenor of New Testament teaching, both that of the Lord Jesus Himself in the four gospels and that of His apostles in the Acts and the Epistles, sums up to this: real Christians have been taken out by God from the nations to be 'a people for His Name' (Acts 15:1414Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Acts 15:14)). They are definitely not of the world as a moral system, even as Christ was not of it. He sent them into the world to represent Him, even as the Father sent Him into the world (see John 17:14-1814I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (John 17:14‑18)). They have no portion at all on earth, nothing here to fight for, save to 'earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints' (Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)). Theirs is an 'inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away... reserved in heaven' for them (1 Peter 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4)). Here they suffer even as Christ their Head did (1 Peter 2:21-2321For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:21‑23)).
"Christ never participated in politics (neither He nor His apostles) nor left any instructions for Christians to do so; He was never seen by Pilate or Herod until He was brought before them 'bound.' Then, 'like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened He not His mouth' (Acts 8:3232The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: (Acts 8:32)). His apostles never meddled in politics nor even mixed with the 'accomplished religionists' of their day. No; they suffered as Christ did: the religionists 'stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And... Lord, lay not this sin to their charge"' (Acts 7:59-6059And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59‑60)). The politicians murdered Christ and His 'ambassadors:' 'Herod... James the brother of John with the sword' (2 Cor. 5:2020Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20); Acts 12:1, 21Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Acts 12:1‑2)), and imprisoned Peter. The apostle Paul, 'an ambassador in bonds,' (Eph. 6:2020For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:20)), only appeared before the 'powers that be' in chains. The Roman emperor exiled the apostle John (see Rev. 1:99I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)).
"The inspired historical testimony of the book of the Acts is clearly that of a people completely separated from 'this present, evil world' (Gal. 1:44Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4)), having no part at all in its popular religions nor in its politics, but bearing witness to it of Christ crucified for sinners, ascended and glorified, a present Savior to all who will call upon Him.
"Secular history, the comparatively little that we have of it that is authentic, bears the same witness: the primitive Christians were 'accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Those 'ordained of God' to govern exceeded the bounds of their divinely given jurisdiction and unleashed successive long and relentless persecutions of the 'Christ's ones' who for more than two long centuries had to hide 'in dens and caves of the earth,' among them the catacombs of imperial Rome. Myriads were ferreted out or arrested when boldly testifying to the Lord Jesus Christ, burned at the stake, exposed to be devoured by the wild beasts of the earth, or tortured in the most fiendish ways. They did not resist evil, but prayed for their enemies, and gained some for Christ.
"Another observation that I would make as to the tenor of this author 's article is that he makes a Christian's obligations toward 'Caesar' paramount, and his responsibilities toward God secondary. He first tells us: 'as individual members of the body of Christ, we are not to "avenge" ourselves; but rather, we are to "give place unto wrath." We are to "turn the other cheek," love our enemies, and pray for those who despitefully use us. This should be our conduct as Christians, if we are to bear witness to the love and grace of God before a Christless world. Here are a few of the many admonitions to Christian love:
"'Recompence to no man evil for evil.... If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.... Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:17-2117Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17‑21))....
"But—after this lovely exposition of what is becoming in 'Christ's ones' in this world—the author contradicts it in the following terms: 'No; the Bible does not teach that a Christian should never go to war. On the contrary, it teaches us that we are to defend our homes, our country, our loved ones, in order that we may worship God according to the dictates of our conscience, in order that there may be "life and liberty for all."' He has quoted the Scriptures as to what is becoming in the 'individual members of the body of Christ' but now he gives us his own mind: he will fight, but he does not quote even one Scripture, because... he cannot find one. What the New Testament does teach is that a Christian is never to take the sword.
"Has the writer ever read the following statement?: 'The spirit of Christianity is not narrowly nationalistic, but universally inclusive. When the world therefore organizes itself on the basis of belligerent nationalism, the very genius of the Christian gospel is at stake. Once more we can have our old war systems with their appalling modern developments, or we can have Christianity, but we cannot have both. They worship irreconcilable Gods.
"'When Christianity joined with the state, and forgot its earlier attitudes, it bowed to the necessities of imperial action and became a sponsor of war, blesser of war, causer of war, and fighter of war. Since then the Church has come down through history, too often trying to carry the Cross of Jesus in one hand and a dripping sword in the other; until now when Christians look out upon the consequences of it all—this abysmal disgrace of Christendom making mockery of the Gospel—the conviction rises that we would better go back to our first traditions, our early purity, and see whether those first disciples of the Lord were not nearer right than we have been.
"'We cannot reconcile Jesus Christ and war—that is the essence of the matter.... It is a more blatant denial of every Christian doctrine about God and man than all the theoretical atheists on earth ever could devise.
"'Like gravitation in the physical realm, the law of the Lord in the moral realm bends for no man and no nation: "ALL THEY THAT TAKE THE SWORD SHALL PERISH WITH THE SWORD!" '6
"I search his article in vain for any expression of faith in activity, in dependence upon and confidence in God to see His children through, delivering from dangers if He so wills, or giving more grace to endure suffering here for Christ's sake.
"In another strong affirmation that the author makes, he has erred gravely, for he says that 'God has bestowed two great gifts upon the human race, both of which have to do with the question before us: One is civil government; the other is the Christian church.'
"That God instituted human government in the earth is true, and that the mandate, 'Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man' (Gen. 9:66Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)) is still the mind of the Head over all of the 'powers that be,' is true, as the author adds: 'Every man, woman, and child in the world should know that verse from God's word.' But that mandate does not depend for its validity upon the 'powers that be' being godly, nor on the other hand can the fact that Noah was a godly man be advanced as a precedent for a Christian to be a civil authority. Noah's calling in a past dispensation was not heavenly, but earthly. But Christians are redeemed out of 'every kindred, and tongue and people and nation' (Rev. 5:99And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)) to be a people for God's name, a heavenly people with a heavenly testimony to their fellowmen. God has put government in the world into Caesar's hands and he is a 'minister of God' to God's redeemed children for good, so that they may be free to occupy themselves otherwise, 'always abounding in the work of the Lord' (1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)). When the Lord Jesus foretold of future wars and of nation rising up against nation, He did not instruct His own to take any part in carnal conflict; He viewed them as entirely apart from it.
"Now the author's grave error is his designating the Christian church as God's gift to the human race. No!, a thousand times no! God's gift to the human race is His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ: 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.... Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift' (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16); 2 Cor. 9:1515Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15)).
"The professing Christian church, which now embraces a total of about 1,000,000,000 people, 7 some 75 per cent of them being worshippers of idols, and the majority of the remaining 25 per cent being given over to Modernism, is marked out for divine judgment, for it has utterly failed to truly represent Christ, its Head, on earth, just as Israel of old utterly failed to represent Jehovah among the Gentile nations. Paul, Peter, Jude and John all solemnly warn of the judgments that are going to fall upon the professing church. Furthermore, the seven letters to the seven churches of Asia (see Revelation, chapters 2 and 3) not only express the Lord's moral judgment of their actual state at that time, but that of any church, or group of churches, at any time. It does not require much spirituality to discern from some of these seven letters what the Lord is going to have to do with the professing church: judge it as unfaithful and set it aside entirely. In its lukewarm Laodicean state, 'rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing,'—not even of Himself,— He is presented as being outside, and knocking for admittance! (Rev. 3:14-2014And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:14‑20)). How this author could affirm that the Christian church (which has demonstrated its unfaithfulness to Christ) is one of God's two great gifts to the world, instead of stating that His beloved Son is His ineffable gift, is beyond comprehension!
"Quoting him further, he says that 'there is no excuse for our confusing the Scriptures which have to do with the Christian's personal relationship to God and man with those which have to do with civil government;' of course not! for the simple fact—as we have already demonstrated from Scripture—that God has not called His children to be occupied with civil government, much less with carnal warfare between nations or peoples, be they many or few. 'Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth' (Isa. 45:99Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? (Isaiah 45:9)).
"Our Bible expositor surely ought to possess a comprehensive knowledge of dispensational truth and to be able to rightly divide it (see 2 Tim. 2:1515Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)), making clear the marked contrast between the past dispensation of the law and the present dispensation of grace. God in Old Testament times asserted His title to the earth and executed judgment in righteousness, but in this 'dispensation of the grace of God' (Eph. 3:22If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (Ephesians 3:2)) He is definitely not doing so, but rather is dealing with all men on the ground of pure, sovereign grace. The Israelite went into Canaan—sword in hand—as the exponent of God's righteous government; the Christian goes into the world—his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace—as the exponent of God's infinite grace toward all men. How, then, can the writer be so mistaken as to endeavor, by advocating that Christians should use carnal weapons and/or political means, 'to set the world right' when it is certainly not God's present purpose to do so? Perhaps he will give attention to the following:
" '... You will never set the world right; you have no principles nor power to do it. You can control an unconverted man with unconverted principles, but you can't deal with him as a Christian. If I am to set the world right I must join with the world, and can't have any principles but theirs. Then I must give up Christianity; for they have none to be governed by. You can use gracious influence as Christ did, and that we have to do. The Christian is to let his light shine, and the testimony of what his principles are is so distinct and positive that they "see your good works. " If he joins with an infidel he owns infidelity can set the world right. The Christian by himself has his own gracious godly principles to act on, that the testimony may be there of what his principles can do (Christianity has reformed the world in a sense; for it brought in the pattern of things better, and they are ashamed to do in the light what they did in the dark)...
"'...Now there is a great system of government going on, and God owns it. There were no servants in paradise; there was no stealing.... "Servants" here (Col. 3:2222Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (Colossians 3:22)) is "slaves" and nothing but sin brought in slaves. There would never have been such a thing if sin had not been there; but the apostle does not meddle with it. He does not say he approves of it, but he leaves the government of the world just where it is. If I can relieve bodily wants as a Christian I am bound to do it, or prevent one beating another if I can do it by kindness; but I am to leave the world alone. It is hard to do; in our hearts we don't like it. Suppose a war is going on, we wish success to one side; it was all settled before you ever heard of it. There is a hard-hearted emperor wishing Rome had one neck that he might cut it off, or setting the city on fire, and then accusing the Christians of it; well, you must be subject—"The powers that be are ordained of God."
"Wherever I find real power exercised I find God's authority. If there is a rebellion, and other powers rise up, I am submissive as before. It is my Christian path...' 8
"We hear of the necessity in our day of an international peace (police) force and that Christians should participate in it. The Lord Jesus commissioned an 'international peace force' nearly two milleniums ago: 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature' (Mark 16:1515And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)). Had the world believed the good news, there would be no wars, but it did not, and murdered Christ's ambassadors. There will be no peace till 'the King of kings and Lord of lords' brings it in by power in His time (Psa. 2; Rev. 19).
"The author goes on to verbally castigate 'conscientious objectors,' as follows:
"'Some will ask, "How does all this affect the Christian's attitude toward war?" They go to the extreme of claiming that the Christian should hold no public office, should not even vote in elections, should have nothing whatsoever to do with "the powers that be," should not fight when his country goes to war. "Conscientious objectors," they are called.'
"It is evident that the author has less respect for a Christian 'conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men' than the people of the United States of America, represented by the highest governing authorities, and than the authorities in some other countries.
"One thing is certain: the author is going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Alongside of him may be some erstwhile young Christian men who were misled by his false presentation of the real Christian's position in this world and of his relative responsibilities, and their divinely marked limits, before God and before Caesar, young Christian men who were trained to kill in one or more of the 'kind' and 'gentle' ways hereinabove mentioned, and who did so. There they stand with him before—not Caesar's, but—Christ's judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)) to 'receive the things done in the body.'
"No consistent Christian claims that he 'should have nothing whatsoever to do with "the powers that be" '; on the contrary, his responsibilities toward them are clearly defined and comprehensively detailed in the four passages in question hereinabove cited at length. We have seen that not one of them instructs the Christian to take carnal weapons of warfare.
"The author disdainfully associates 'conscientious objectors' with 'draft-card burners, and the rabble-rousers who are not interested in right or wrong and whose actions in many instances are treasonous and dangerous.' No godly Christian, whether he be a so-called 'conscientious objector' or not, is found in these latter categories of the 'disobedient,' but respects law. One wonders if the writer has ever informed himself about the self-sacrificing and heroic feats that 'conscientious objectors' have performed in saving human life?
"He does not mention at all in his article that in some countries (the United States of America, for example), there are numbers of sincere young Christian men who with all 'good conscience' render service to their respective countries in the medical corps, saving life rather than destroying it, entirely willing to jeopardize their own lives—under fire if necessary—to pick up wounded men from off the battlefields. Has he ever contacted the War Department and asked for the record of performance of these godly young men?
"Just read with me the following extract from a communication from the office of the chief of information of the United States Department of the Army: 9
"'There are more than 4, 500 men in the United States Army who are conscientious objectors.... Many of these men have distinguished themselves....
"'During World War II a conscientious objector medical aidman, Private First Class Desmond T. Doss, earned the Medal of Honor for heroic actions on the island of Okinawa. I am enclosing a copy of the citation that describes this action. 10
"...during the Vietnam War, many have been decorated for valor. The current issue of "ARMY DIGEST" has a story on the training of these men...'
"Now read with me the above-mentioned citation: 'He was a company aid man when the 1st Battalion assaulted a jagged escarpment 400 feet high. As our troops gained the summit, a heavy concentration of artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire crashed into them, inflicting approximately 75 casualties and driving the others back. Private Doss refused to seek cover and remained in the fire-swept area with the many stricken, carrying them one by one to the edge of the escarpment and there lowering them on a rope-supported litter down the face of a cliff to friendly hands. On 2 May, he exposed himself to heavy rifle and mortar fire in rescuing a wounded man 200 yards forward of the lines on the same escarpment; and 2 days later he treated four men who had been cut down while assaulting a strongly defended cave, advancing through a shower of grenades to within 8 yards of enemy forces in a cave's mouth, where he dressed his comrades' wounds before making four separate trips under fire to evacuate them to safety. On 5 May, he unhesitatingly braved enemy shelling and small-arms fire to assist an artillery officer. He applied bandages, moved his patient to a spot that offered protection from small-arms fire and, while artillery and mortar shells fell close by, painstakingly administered plasma. Later that day, when an American was severely wounded by fire from a cave, Private Doss crawled to him where he had fallen 25 feet from the enemy position, rendered aid, and carried him 100 yards to safety while continually exposed to enemy fire. On 21 May, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy tank attack and Private Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the other man.
Awaiting the litter bearers' return, he was again struck, this time suffering a compound fracture of one arm. With magnificent fortitude he bound a rifle stock to his shattered arm as a splint and then crawled 300 yards over rough terrain to the aid station. Through his outstanding bravery and unflinching determination in the face of desperately dangerous conditions Private Doss saved the lives of many soldiers. His name became a symbol through the '77th Infantry Division for outstanding gallantry far above and beyond the call of duty...'
"Finally, read with me a quotation from the above-mentioned 'current issue of "ARMY DIGEST"': 11
"'Cadre View. "We do in six weeks what the average BCT outfit does in eight," says a Drill Sergeant.
(DS), "and we do it as good or better. stack our class averages up against anyone else's."
""Yes, and I'll tell you something else," another DS adds quickly. "I've been around the Infantry for 20 years and have never seen young troops like this. They're good—better than most in regular training outfits. They try harder, and when you talk to them you know you're understood."'
"Then there are other sincere Christians who cannot with 'good conscience' take the oath of obedience to military authorities, but are perfectly willing to render to 'Caesar' good and faithful service that he needs and demands of them. Has the author never inquired of their record with this government?
"Apropos of the foregoing, sometimes—to try and dissuade a sincere Christian who is unwilling to engage in 'human butchery'—the specious argument is advanced that nearly everyone in a nation at war with another is involved anyhow. But there are principles laid down in the New Testament to guide a sincere Christian in every step he may have to take in this world. He earnestly desires to save lives, because he is genuinely concerned—and how much more so his Lord! —for the salvation of men's souls. He has Scriptural warrant for desiring this, which he does not have for killing men. (When the Lord Jesus asked the question, 'Is it lawful to do good... to save life or to kill?', He looked round about on His adversaries 'with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts'—Mark 3:4, 54And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. (Mark 3:4‑5)).
"What 'Caesar' does with men is not the responsibility of the Christian, who may be producing food that will go to feed his army, making clothing to keep it warm, nursing the sick and wounded in hospitals, picking them up off of the battlefield, etc. All of this is to preserve and save life; it is 'Caesar's' responsibility, not the Christian's, what Caesar does with human beings subject to his commands.
"The Christian, however, who works in a munitions plant for good wages to make lethal weapons of war is—morally speaking—in the same position as the soldier who uses them: he is directly contributing to destroying life, not to saving it.
"Passing on now to the Scriptures about 'Cornelius,' the author tells us that 'Peter did not tell him to give up his commission as a Roman officer (see Acts 10:1-481There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 7And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; 8And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. 9On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. 23Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: 40Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:1‑48)).' Of course not! Another has long since answered this specious argument:
"'It is not the way of the Spirit of God to put people under a yoke. He does not say to the newly converted soul, "You must give up this or that." The grace of God meets a man where he is, with a full salvation, and then it teaches him how to walk by presenting the words and ways of Christ in all their sanctifying and formative power.
"'But again it is said, "Does not the Apostle in 1 Cor. 7 tell us to abide in the calling wherein we are called"? Yes, with this powerfully qualifying clause, "Abide with God." This makes a material difference. Suppose a hangman is converted, could he abide in his calling? It will be said that this is an extreme case. Granted; but it is a case in point, inasmuch as it proves the fallacy of the reasoning on 1 Cor. 7. It proves that there are callings in which one could not possibly "abide with God."' 12
"Since the author not only has no respect for 'conscientious objectors,' but also derides true Christians who do not take part—any more than their Lord and His apostles did—in this world's politics, his attention is called to the fact that the eternal, omnipotent and omniscient God, the God and Father of the Christian, is over all things; it is He who ordains the powers that be. Let us look at the original Greek word correctly translated here, 'ordained.' In 'Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament', p. 615, and in 'The Englishman's Greek Concordance of the New Testament,' p. 720, we see that the verb 'tasso' is translated in Acts 13:4848And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (Acts 13:48) and in Rom. 13:11Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1), as 'ordained:' as many as were ordained to eternal life believed;' the powers that be are ordained of God.' The use of 'tasso' in the passage in Acts gives force to its use in Romans: it is God who does the ordaining, not man, whether he be the king on the throne of 'Caesar' begetting a firstborn son or daughter, or the populace electing a president: before either the one or the other had even been conceived, God had pre-ordained them to their office. God is sovereign; we are very slow to recognize this. Furthermore, if the moral state of an empire or a nation—in His sight—demands it, He will ordain over it—not the noblest of men—but the 'basest of men' as a chastisement (Dan. 4:1717This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17)). Would a Christian ever vote for the 'basest of men'?
"It is very important that Christians recognize that it is God who ordains governmental heads. When Jehovah cast out His earthly people, the Jews, from Palestine, on account of their prolonged and persistent disobedience, He ordained Nebuchadnezzar 'a king of kings'... 'the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, strength, and glory,' etc. (Dan. 2:3737Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. (Daniel 2:37)). When God judged the Babylonian ruler, He gave the empire into the hands of 'Cyrus,' whom He had called by name about 150 years before he was born, and some 80 years before Nebuchadnezzar took the Jews captive to Babylon! (see Isa. 44:28; 45:1-628That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28)
1Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; 2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: 3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. 4For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. 5I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: 6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:1‑6)).
"As then, so always, God's providential hand—though unseen—is over all governments, as another has said: 'God's ways are behind the scenes; but He moves all the scenes which He is behind. We have to learn this, and let Him work, and not think much of man's busy movements: they will accomplish God's. The rest of them all perish and disappear. We have only peacefully to do His will.' 13
"Looking at recent national rulers, not so long ago England was a God-fearing nation and He used her to further the spread of the gospel of the grace of God through and beyond her dominions on which the sun never set. God gave England kings and queens who were God-fearing; there was—in the main—peace; many evangelists, pastors and teachers were raised up to go to the regions beyond. What of today?
"There was a day—now drawn to its close—when the people of the United States of America, by and large, were God-fearing. The Bible was respected as the Word of God; it was read daily in the public schools; there was prayer offered; the gospel in its simplicity, grandeur and power was preached everywhere with great blessing. God gave the people presidents and subordinate authorities who were likewise God-fearing men (we do not mean by this qualification, 'God-fearing,' that they were saved, although some were). But what is the spiritual state of the people today? What kind of rulers may God have already marked out—in His ineludible providential government—for unthankful people that even deny His existence, or—'having a form of godliness'—deny the power of it and lead a dissolute life, 'lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God' (2 Tim. 3:4,54Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2 Timothy 3:4‑5))? It would be our wisdom to take to heart this word of the LORD: 'At what instant I shall speak Concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it' (Jer. 18:77At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; (Jeremiah 18:7)).
"How, then, at whatsoever time in the presence of 'Christ's ones' in the world, do Christians discharge their responsibilities to the 'powers that be' according to the mind of God if they are intelligent as to it from His Word? They do so according to the instructions given them in the four passages of the New Testament hereinabove quoted, in the sum total of which there is not a word about taking civil office, much less as to choosing authorities. As to the setting up, or selection of authorities, their prayers can 'move the Hand that moves the world,' for God has told them: that 'first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority...' (1 Tim. 2:1,21I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1‑2)). A godly Christian daily on his knees in this kind of intercessory prayer accomplishes more than a multitude that cast the ballot for the best man' (when it may be God's ordination that the 'basest of men' go into office). How much time does the average 'Christian' spend in persevering prayer for the 'powers that be'?
"The author's allusion to the 'Pilgrim Fathers' can be looked at in a different light. Going back first to the beginning of the populating of the world, when God scattered the sons of men at the tower of Babel, 'He... made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and... determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation' (Acts 17:2626And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; (Acts 17:26)). He gave North America to the Indians. When the white man came, and his descendants multiplied, although they may have carried Bibles under their arms, what did they take? They took the Indians' lands from them and took sword and gun to them! Just read unabridged American history!
"What did the 'man of God,' David Brainerd, take to the Indians? He took the 'gospel of the grace of God,' spent himself and was spent, laid down his life at 29 years of age, that at least some of them might be saved.
"As a final reply to the author's article, 'SHOULD A CHRISTIAN GO TO WAR?', let the reader judge spiritually along with me according to the Word of God whether the following commentary is the truth:
"'Notwithstanding, all obedience in man has its limits. There are cases where the Christian is bound... to "obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:2929Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)).
"'Take a peremptory call on a Christian to fight the battles of his country. If he knows his calling, can he join Christ's name with such unholy strife? If right for one side, it is right for another; or the Christian becomes a judge instead of a pilgrim, and the name of the Lord would be thus compromised by brethren on opposite sides, each bound to imbrue their hands in one another's blood, each instruments of hurrying to perdition souls ripening in sins.
"'Is this of Christ? Is it of grace? It may suit the flesh and the world; but it is vain to plead the Word of God to justify a Christian's finding himself engaged in such work. Will anyone dare to call human butchery, at the command of the "powers that be," Christ's service?
"'The true reason why people fail to see this is, either a fleshly mind or an unworthy shrinking from the consequences. They prefer to kill another to please the world, rather than to be killed themselves to please Christ.' 14