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What Does the Bible Say About War? – Viral Believer
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What Does the Bible Say About War?

Introduction

War has been a reality of human history since the beginning of time. From ancient battles fought with swords and arrows to modern conflicts fought with advanced technology, war has brought both victory and defeat, destruction, and pain.

As Christians, it is important to understand the biblical perspective on war, as it can guide our actions and attitudes toward war.

The Bible contains several accounts of wars, both in the Old and New Testaments. While some of these wars were sanctioned by God, others were not.

There are different interpretations of the biblical view of war among Christians, with some advocating for pacifism and others supporting the Just War Theory. It is important to understand the context of these different perspectives and how they apply to our modern world.

In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible says about war. We will begin by examining the Old Testament view of war, including God’s commands to the Israelites about war and the criticisms of this view.

We will then look at the New Testament view of war, including Jesus’ teachings on nonviolence and the early Christian beliefs about war.

We will also explore the historical and cultural context of the biblical view of war and how it applies to our modern world.

Finally, we will discuss how Christians can apply the biblical view of war today and work toward peacebuilding.

war in the Bible

Old Testament View of War

In the Old Testament, we see several accounts of wars that were fought by the Israelites. These wars were fought for various reasons, including self-defense, territorial expansion, and the desire for power. While some of these wars were sanctioned by God, others were not.

God’s Commands to Israelites about War

When God commanded the Israelites to go to war, it was for their protection or to carry out His plans.

In Deuteronomy 20:1-4, God told the Israelites that when they went to war against their enemies, He would be with them, and they should not be afraid. He promised them victory and assured them that He would fight for them.

God also laid down rules for war. In Deuteronomy 20:10-15, God instructed the Israelites not to harm women, children, and animals during the war. He also instructed them to offer peace terms to their enemies before attacking them. If the enemy accepted the peace terms, the Israelites were to spare them.

Criticism of the Old Testament View of War

The Old Testament view of war has been criticized for being too violent and harsh. Some have argued that God’s commands to go to war and kill people go against the biblical principle of loving one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44).

However, it is important to understand the context of these commands and the reasons behind them.

New Testament View of War

Jesus’ teachings and the early Christian beliefs about war differed from the Old Testament view of war. Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and to turn the other cheek when someone wronged them (Matthew 5:39).

The early Christians believed that war was incompatible with the teachings of Jesus and that Christians should not participate in wars.

Early Christian Beliefs about War

Early Christians were pacifists and believed that it was wrong to kill anyone, even in self-defense. They believed that Christians should follow Jesus’ example of nonviolence and love their enemies.

Just War Theory is the belief that war can be justified under certain circumstances, such as self-defense or to protect innocent people from harm.

Some early Christian theologians, such as Augustine and Thomas Aquinas, developed the Just War Theory. They believed that war could be morally justified if it met certain criteria, such as a just cause, a legitimate authority, and a reasonable chance of success.

Modern Christian Interpretations of the New Testament View of War

Today, Christians have different interpretations of the New Testament view of war. Some Christians believe in pacifism and refuse to participate in wars or support them in any way. Others believe in the Just War Theory and believe that war can be morally justified under certain circumstances.

Understanding the Context of Biblical View of War

To understand the biblical view of war, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which the Bible was written.

Historical Context

Warfare practices in ancient times were different from modern warfare practices. Ancient armies fought hand-to-hand combat with swords, spears, bows, and arrows. The use of modern technology, such as firearms and missiles, was not available.

The Israelites lived in a violent and dangerous world where wars were common. God used wars to protect His people, punish their enemies, and carry out His plans.

God’s commands to go to war were specific to the Israelites and their unique situation. It is important to note that God’s commands to go to war were not meant to be universal principles for all Christians to follow.

Cultural Context

The biblical concept of peace is different from our modern concept of peace. In biblical times, peace was more than the absence of war. It was a state of well-being, security, and prosperity. It was a state of shalom, which included spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness.

The political and social factors of the time also influenced the biblical view of war. The Israelites were a small nation surrounded by powerful enemies. They needed to defend themselves and maintain their existence. God used wars to protect them and establish them as a nation.

Applying the Biblical View of War Today

In our modern world, war is still a reality. As Christians, we need to understand our responsibility in times of war and how to apply the biblical view of war today.

Modern Warfare Practices

Modern warfare practices are different from ancient warfare practices. We have advanced technology that allows us to fight wars from a distance. However, modern warfare still results in death, destruction, and suffering.

Christian Responsibility in Times of War

As individuals, we need to follow Jesus’ example of nonviolence and love our enemies. We need to promote peace and work toward reconciliation. We should pray for our enemies and seek to understand their perspectives.

As citizens, we have a responsibility to promote peace and justice. We should work towards peaceful solutions to conflicts and support diplomatic efforts. We should also support our military personnel and pray for their safety.

Biblical Perspective on Peacebuilding

The Bible teaches us that peace is more than the absence of war. It is a state of well-being, security, and prosperity. As Christians, we should work towards peacebuilding by promoting justice, reconciliation, and healing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the biblical view of war provides a complex and nuanced understanding of this difficult topic. While the Old Testament view of war may seem violent and harsh, it is important to understand the context of God’s commands to go to war.

The New Testament view of war emphasizes the importance of nonviolence and loving our enemies. As Christians, we have a responsibility to promote peace and work toward reconciliation, both as individuals and as citizens.

It is important to remember that the biblical view of war is specific to the time and culture in which it was written.

We must consider the historical and cultural context of the Bible when interpreting its teachings on war. In our modern world, we must also consider the impact of advanced technology and the political and social factors that contribute to conflicts.

Ultimately, the biblical view of war teaches us that peace is more than the absence of war. It is a state of well-being, security, and prosperity.

As Christians, we can work towards peacebuilding by promoting justice, reconciliation, and healing. By understanding the biblical view of war and applying it to our modern world, we can work towards a world where peace and justice prevail.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.