Can A Christian Serve in the Military?
There is a controversy among members of the church as to whether a Christian can serve in the military and fight in war. Many who support this position turn to passages such as 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" Often, they will point to the fact that Christianity allows no hatred, or physical retaliation (Galatians 5:14, Romans 12:17-21,13:9) and that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19).
First, we need to understand that in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 Paul is speaking of our spiritual warfare against the spiritual forces of evil. Temptation, false religion, the lusts of the flesh, etc. In that war, our weapons are not carnal, because it is not a carnal war. Physical warfare will not defeat spiritual foes. This passage does not even address physical war among nations.
With regard to the second argument they are right about that fact that Christianity allows no hatred at all nor does it allow retaliation on an individual basis. That is what Romans 12 teaches. Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Vengeance belongs to the Lord. That is why we are not to seek personal vengeance.
The Lord executes vengeance and punishes evil doers. How does He do this? In many cases, through the ministry of civil government. God allows civil government to rule over the nations, Romans 13:1 "Let 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 13:4 says, "For he" (the ruler / agent of civil government) "is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" [Emph. mine]. Civil government is authorized by, and used by, God to execute His wrath upon those who do evil. It executes this wrath both domestically with its Police force and abroad with its military force.
If the civil government's use of force is authorized by God, and it is, then Christians are authorized to participate in it. If non-Christians can serve as police or in the military without sinning... If non-Christians can use carnal weapons to fight in carnal warfare as authorized by civil government without sinning, then so can the Christian. We are all under the same law! If it is sin for the non-Christian, then it is sin for the Christian. If it is not sin for the non-Christian, then it is not sin for the Christian. There is not one law for the Christian and a separate law for the non-Christian.
There is a controversy among members of the church as to whether a Christian can serve in the military and fight in war. Many who support this position turn to passages such as 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" Often, they will point to the fact that Christianity allows no hatred, or physical retaliation (Galatians 5:14, Romans 12:17-21,13:9) and that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19).
First, we need to understand that in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 Paul is speaking of our spiritual warfare against the spiritual forces of evil. Temptation, false religion, the lusts of the flesh, etc. In that war, our weapons are not carnal, because it is not a carnal war. Physical warfare will not defeat spiritual foes. This passage does not even address physical war among nations.
With regard to the second argument they are right about that fact that Christianity allows no hatred at all nor does it allow retaliation on an individual basis. That is what Romans 12 teaches. Romans 12:19 "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Vengeance belongs to the Lord. That is why we are not to seek personal vengeance.
The Lord executes vengeance and punishes evil doers. How does He do this? In many cases, through the ministry of civil government. God allows civil government to rule over the nations, Romans 13:1 "Let 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 13:4 says, "For he" (the ruler / agent of civil government) "is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" [Emph. mine]. Civil government is authorized by, and used by, God to execute His wrath upon those who do evil. It executes this wrath both domestically with its Police force and abroad with its military force.
If the civil government's use of force is authorized by God, and it is, then Christians are authorized to participate in it. If non-Christians can serve as police or in the military without sinning... If non-Christians can use carnal weapons to fight in carnal warfare as authorized by civil government without sinning, then so can the Christian. We are all under the same law! If it is sin for the non-Christian, then it is sin for the Christian. If it is not sin for the non-Christian, then it is not sin for the Christian. There is not one law for the Christian and a separate law for the non-Christian.
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