Amazing Grace
Puritan Board Junior
WHat are your thoughts on 2 Chrstian Nations fighting against one another in a war? IS it Biblical or not?
Christian vs Christian War
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I would propose that if one accepts the notion that there is a "christian nation" (which I do not, but I recognize that some nations have more Christians than others) then I would claim that this could be so, but that usually one side's soldiers would be guilty of sins, based on whether their side was morally right or not.
For instance, "christian" USA fought "christian" Germany in WWII. I would claim that German soldiers, unless they were completely without the news, would be guilty of aiding and abetting evil and that they could not have served in the German Army and especially the SS without moral stain, unless in some sort of hospital or chaplain capacity.
If the US were to engage in an unjust war, then christian soldiers would be forced to refuse to participate or else they would be committing the sin of aiding an unjust cause.
For instance, "christian" USA fought "christian" Germany in WWII. I would claim that German soldiers, unless they were completely without the news, would be guilty of aiding and abetting evil and that they could not have served in the German Army and especially the SS without moral stain, unless in some sort of hospital or chaplain capacity.
If the US were to engage in an unjust war, then christian soldiers would be forced to refuse to participate or else they would be committing the sin of aiding an unjust cause.
Amazing Grace
Puritan Board Junior
I dont know. For instance, would the USA and Britain wage war against each other?
Ditto.
To simplify the issue, I think it is helpful to avoid the "Christian nation" issue entirely, and bring it to an individual level.
In that instance, the principle would be: Any time two Christians are on opposing sides in battle, at least one of them is in very grave sin.
Biblically unjustified killing is the definition of murder. And war is killing. Therefore, fighting in Biblically unjustified wars is murder.
At least one of the Christians has a Biblical duty to lay down his arms and refuse to 'serve his country.'
In today's sin-ravaged world, most times both sides are unjust, and neither Christian belongs on the battlefield.
I'm not sure if I diverted the thread too far from its original purpose, but I think it speaks to the same issue in an easier way. At least one side will always be unjust in a conflict. If the people as a whole in these "Christian nations" cannot rightly discern when to kill, then I think their status as a "Christian nation" is highly in doubt. So, no, Christian nations will never fight each other. Both may claim that status, but one (or both) will be wrong about their identity and the conflict itself.
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They did. 1812.
If a "Christian Nation" can, indeed, exist - would the leader need to be a Christian, or just the majority of its populace?
I suppose an evil leader could take power in a Christian nation and start a war and the citizens fight it out with another "christian nation" under an evil ruler.
I suppose an evil leader could take power in a Christian nation and start a war and the citizens fight it out with another "christian nation" under an evil ruler.
I don't believe in the term "Christian nation." That said, there are nations who have a rich history of Christian faith. Using that as a criteria, there have been many wars between nations with rich histories of Christianity. What conclusion are we to reach about this? That nations do not have an identity of themselves but derive their identity from their leaders and citizens.
Presbyterian Deacon
Puritan Board Graduate
And then once you have defined that..go ahead..find me two! Where are they?
Presbyterian Deacon
Puritan Board Graduate
ecpt
I would agree with the sentiment expressed in the post above.
I would agree with the sentiment expressed in the post above.
RamistThomist
Puritanboard Assessor
Moot question. Well, I do hold the hope for a renewed Christendom so I believe in the validity of Christian nations. With the exception of Serbia, I can't think of any Christian nations today. Russia will soon be one, by the grace of God.
Anton Bruckner
Puritan Board Professor
Two christian nations can engage in a war. Didn't Israel and Judah fight wars against each other?
Because we as Christians still have the remnants of sin remaining in our body, we do sin and we are blinded by pride. For this reason many Christians are to be chastised and admonished. So it is with the individual, likewise so it is with nations. As a fellow Christian can wrong another Christian and be stubborn about it, likewise a Christian nation can wrong a Christian nation and be stubborn about it. And it is because of this stubbornness, the nation that was wronged does have the national right to go to war in proportion to the wrong.
Because we as Christians still have the remnants of sin remaining in our body, we do sin and we are blinded by pride. For this reason many Christians are to be chastised and admonished. So it is with the individual, likewise so it is with nations. As a fellow Christian can wrong another Christian and be stubborn about it, likewise a Christian nation can wrong a Christian nation and be stubborn about it. And it is because of this stubbornness, the nation that was wronged does have the national right to go to war in proportion to the wrong.
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