Article - War and Christian Soldiers
The Bible teaches that Christians are not to win converts for Christ’s kingdom/church by waging religious wars (John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). However, secular war or a Christian functioning as a soldier in secular war is not in and of itself wrong for the following reasons: (1) God ordains the secular governments as His “ministers” to bear the sword (through police, soldiers, executioners, etc.) to execute wrath/justice on those who practice evil. Since Christians are to be subject to their government, they are authorized by God to be drafted or to volunteer as soldiers. Christians are also to pay taxes to their government, thus supporting their protection, including wars, capital punishment, etc., Romans 13:1-7 (Even the Holy Spirit through Paul did not object to the government executing judgment, Acts 25:11); (2) Soldiers mentioned in the New Testament were not commanded to give up their occupation; instead, they were commended so long as they were content with their wages and continued to fear God and keep His commandments (Matthew 8:5-13; 27:54; Luke 3:7-8, 14; 23:47; Acts 10:1-2, 22, 44-48; 16:22-34); (3) Under the Old Testament God commanded His children physical Israel to utterly destroy nations (if they did not, they sinned against God, Exodus 17:13-16; Deuteronomy 7:1-2). By faith, Israel pleased God and received a good testimony for subduing kingdoms, being valiant in battles and turning to flight the armies of the aliens (Hebrews 11:6, 32-34, 38-39); (4) Sometimes God personally accomplishes His will through secular armies (God destroyed the disobedient Jews and their city Jerusalem through the Gentile Roman armies in A.D. 70, Matthew 22:1-7; Luke 21:20-24); (5) If God and Jesus deemed all wars sinful, They would not have destroyed all evil humans in the flood nor would They “make war” against angels or humans and destroy all disobedient in the Final Day. Yet, They did and They will (Genesis 6:5-7; 7:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2 Peter 3:5-7; Revelation 12:7-9; 19:11-21).
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