Peace or War?

I was reminded this morning that Saturday is Veteran’s Day. And November 11th is a fitting day to remember those who have served and survived their time in the service. It was the day an armistice was signed to end a portion of the war to end all wars. For some reason, those who fought in World War I, who lived to see such horror, thought that war would have to be the last. Surely there would never be a need to fight again. That having a whole lost generation because of the death toll might be enough to dissuade others from ever taking up arms again against friend or neighbor, but if you paid attention in history class, you know World War I was the beginning of almost a century of war, not the end.

And as followers of Christ, as peace loving people, war is not our aim. Turning swords into ploughshares, laying down arms, turning the other cheek- scripture is littered with references to the end of a physical fight. But also tells us we need to be covered with the armor of God. That we will need to fight the good fight.

This is one of those topics that feels like I flip back and forth as I examine every little however. In theory, I am a pacifist. Fighting is not my forte and not what I think Christ would do.

However, are there ever situations where fighting would be the right choice? I think of instances of violations of human rights like the imprisonment of people in any sort of internment camp or prison camp based on their cultural identity, political or religious beliefs, or other status and wonder if I shouldn’t be finding some way to fight against such things. It happens way too frequently, especially in our modern world where someone ought to be paying attention. But I think I’m as guilty as the next believer of hearing of someone’s plight, expressing sorrow, and going right back to whatever I was doing.

And having seen so many horrors on the nightly news, especially in the last few weeks, I sometimes wonder what would make me angry enough to fight. If the bombing of civilians isn’t enough to do it, what will be? Would I be willing to lay down my life if I felt that a war was a just war? Because you know that theologians have argued out the 7 criteria that have to all be a yes before they consider a war to be justified. You can read more about that theory here. Also, if you find you want to read the original writing by Aquinas, please know I can probably dig up the instruction sheet from seminary on “how to read Aquinas” because the Summa Theologica takes special instructions.

And all this back and forth about war has a purpose here. When I was in college and considering medical school (and how to pay for medical school) I briefly looked at joining the military. Knowing myself now, that may not seem like that could ever be a possibility, but I had a lengthy discussion with my uncle who was in the service. He let me know that the discipline and the physical demands would be tough, but when it comes to those things, you never know until you try. But there was a question I was going to need to answer if I was seriously considering this. Even if I thought I was going to go in as a medical person who would never take up arms, I would need to think about this. He asked me if I thought I could kill another person.

How do you honor those who served in an institution that ultimately asks the question “would you be able to kill another person” in church? Is that the right time and place to lift them up? How do you balance their sacrifice, honor, and duty, especially considering that religious freedom is heavily tied to our government which isn’t what we worship on Sunday mornings, with not lifting up war? Easy and not easy. I do not wish to honor or lift up any war, the things seen in war, or the innocence lost to war. These are not things that honor God. But I can honor God’s creation in the people who made a choice to serve. To hear the veterans of Korea and World War II speak, when it is you and God in the foxhole, God is so much more real.

I hope that if you are worshipping with us this Sunday you’ll join me in taking a moment to honor those who have served. To thank them for being willing to sacrifice themselves to defend the lives of others. Because in so many ways, there is no more direct, physical way to be like Christ.