With a new battle raging in Libya, consider these words from Augustine: “War should be waged reluctantly and with tears in one’s eyes.” When is war justified?
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daisymarygoldr on March 22, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Sin is the cause of all wars. It causes collateral damage in terms of death to innocent lives that are wiped out by massive bombings. The wounds of war cannot be healed for soldiers and civilians who are left to endure a post-war holocaust of nightmarish PTSDs. The toll in suffering and sorrow can never be tabulated. Clearly, there is no reckoning the cost.
No one wants war. Everyone longs for peace. To bring justice to the poor and oppressed, people including Christians rally for peace to be achieved without war. God however, says “if we want peace, then get ready for war”. He calls people to convert instruments of peace—plowshares and pruning hooks into equipment of wars—swords and spears (Joel 3:9-10).
Today, Nations war against another to enlarge their territories or for an economic purpose like gaining wealth and oil. Some terrorist countries wage jihads to acquire nuclear weapons. Without a doubt, the underlying motives of war are evil. In His wisdom, God chooses to use this evil to bring about His own good purposes—to judge wicked regimes, stop injustice, punish idolatry, and crush rebellion. War is a necessary evil and is the only way to destroy evil dictators like Hitler and Hussein.
The bad news therefore is: war is inevitable and there will be more of it (Matt 24). The good news is—that is not the end of the story. If there is a time for war, then there is also a time for peace (Ecc 3:8). The Bible tells us of a future period of peace when all nations will come under the rule of Christ and there will be no more wars. This time of peace is not based on some elusive thoughts expressed in the psychedelic song of a dreamer. It is a reality which God has promised His people.
In the last days the Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. The swords and spears of war will be re-hammered into plowshares and pruning hooks of peace. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore (Isa 2:2-4). According to His Word, someday God will surely bring it to pass.
zero_g on March 22, 2011 at 8:02 pm
Seeing what is happening in Libya makes me more grateful for the country I live in. It makes me thankful for all those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. God Bless America!