490 Clothman On War Part 3
There were only two kinds of people that dad didn’t like: pastors and draft-dodgers.
The perfect storm hit our home when mom invited a youth pastor over for dinner. While eating, the youth pastor proudly announced that if he was drafted for Vietnam he would head for Canada. Dad lunged over the table, grabbed the bug-eyed youth pastor by the collar and told him in flowery logger language to get out of our house five minutes ago and never come back.
I’ve been wondering how dad and Jesus would get along if the topic of war came up. Would dad toss the Son of God out of our house? Or might they find common ground?
In an attempt to find common ground between the non-violent message of Jesus and the apparent need to wage war, Christians have generally adopted the just war theory. This theory goes back to Aristotle, Cicero and Augustine; however, it has been fine-tuned by many for centuries on end.
The just war theory authorizes a nation to take up the sword under seven strict conditions: 1) a just cause for the war; 2) a legitimate authority declaring war; 3) a formal declaration of war; 4) the goal is a return to peace; 5) war is the last resort; 6) a reasonable hope of success and 7) the means is proportional to ends. The just war theory also demands that: a) noncombatants must not be targeted; b) prisoners must not be mistreated and c) international treaties and conventions must be respected.
The just war theory elicits intense debate; as World War II (WWII) revealed.
Zealots were easy to talk into war – they were ready to fight before it became a world war. They think millions of lives could have been spared had we engaged Hitler as soon as he invaded Poland.
Realists agreed to war but only after Pearl Harbor convinced them there was just cause. They don’t think anything but war could have stopped Germany and Japan.
Pacifists never agreed to war saying it is intrinsically wrong and only perpetuates itself. They see WWII as an aftershock of WWI that led to the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Cold War and host of other conflicts, including the Middle East.
Where would Jesus have come down? Most Christians believe Jesus was a realist and that after Pearl Harbor he would have authorized the United States to enter the “just war.” I used to believe that; however, I can’t substantiate that from his words or actions.
Like it or not (and this has been a tough pill for Clothman to swallow), Jesus clearly identified himself as a pacifist. Actually, I call him a militant pacifist because he was extremely aggressive in the way he challenged evil. Consider these profound words:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-45).
I can’t see Jesus agreeing to enter WWII or any armed conflict, including the Iraq War. I’m certain Jesus would not agree with the just war theory – every country feels their wars are just.
Still, I think Jesus and dad would have found common ground. Instead of dodging the draft Jesus would have taken provocative and effective steps to confront the evil of Germany, Japan and yes, the United States. Sadly, few nations have ever explored what those non-violent steps of confrontation might have been because few have ever taken Jesus serious.
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