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God bless America and Iraq
By David Overdorf
I'll never forget watching Ted Koppel's interview of General Norman Schwarzkopf shortly after the conclusion of the first Gulf War. Schwarzkopf described his abhorrence of military conflict. His voice cracked. "I would never want to serve under a general who enjoyed war." I agree. I wouldn't want to serve a God who enjoyed war, either. God hates war. I'm certain of it. Children lose parents. Parents lose children. Husbands and wives lose their mates. People suffer when nation rises against nation. My loving God simply couldn't, by His nature, enjoy such devastation. Yet the Bible is filled with instances of God not only sanctioning but actually commanding His people to wage war. God established human authorities to maintain order and administer justice, and they "do not bear the sword for nothing" (Romans 13:1-5). As much as God hates the suffering and pain caused by war, certain occasions require governments to bear the sword. What circumstances render war necessary? It's not an easy question. Sixteen hundred years ago the theologian Augustine considered the matter. His study and teaching led to "The Just War Theory." Christian leaders across the world accept Augustine's views as the standard on this topic. Augustine ruled out such motivations as revenge, revolt, or "the lust for dominating" as acceptable reasons for military aggression. Instead, he taught, there are only three just causes for war: defense against wrongful attack, retaking something that was wrongly taken, or the punishment of evil. Our President and his advisors, when making the case for war with Iraq, have consistently cited the first of these three justificationsdefense against wrongful attack (with some reference to the third, as well, referring to Hussein as an evil man with evil intentions). Based on his history and his connections with terrorists our leaders believe that a Saddam Hussein who possesses weapons of mass destruction poses a serious threat to the United States, and to others around the globe. Some agree with our leaders. Others disagree. Some protest. Others support. As a Christian, particularly as a Christian leader, what should I do? First, I should submit to the leadership of our nation unless and until this requires me to compromise my Biblical integrity. The Bible teaches, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1). (Lest we think this applies only in situations where we agree with our leaders, keep in mind these words originally instructed Christians in ancient Rome to submit to an emperor whose track record would make Saddam Hussein blush.) I won't protest, I won't question, I won't doubt motives. I will trust our governing leaders unless I am Biblically compelled to do otherwise. Second, I should pray. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyonefor kings and all those in authority" (1 Timothy 2:1-2). I will pray for our President and his advisors. I will pray for the protection of military personnel and their families. I will pray for peace. I pray God will bless America. I also pray God will bless Iraq. God's love expands beyond American borders and American citizens. Ours should too. "For God so loved the world" Therefore I pray for minimal loss of lifeon both sides of the battle lines. I pray for a quick resolution to the conflict. I pray that as Iraqi citizens embrace political freedom, they'll also embrace spiritual freedom. I pray that post-war Iraq will provide a ripe harvest for Christian missionaries. Ultimately I pray the words of Alcuin of York, who lived in the eight century AD: "Christ, why do you allow wars and massacres on earth? By what mysterious judgment do you allow innocent people to be cruelly slaughtered? I cannot know. I can only find assurance in the promise that your people will find peace in heaven, where no one makes war. As gold is purified by fire, so you purify souls by these bodily tribulations, making them ready to be received above the stars in your heavenly home." [Daniel Overdorf is the Sr. Minister of Fayetteville Christian Church, located at New Hope and Hickory Roads in Fayetteville. He may be heard each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as a part of the church's weekly worship. Daniel may be contacted at the church office770-461-8763, or at fayettevillechristian@juno.com]
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