Should a Christian Join the Army and Fight in a War?
Introduction
When a Christian considers joining the military, they must wrestle with two powerful, seemingly conflicting biblical mandates: the command to love one's enemies and practice non-violence, and the command to submit to and serve the governing authorities who are tasked with maintaining justice and order. Historically, the Christian Church has addressed this tension through two main ethical positions: Pacifism and Just War Theory.
1. The Biblical Foundation: Two Competing Mandates
The Bible establishes the tension by demanding both submission to the state and radical love for enemies.
The Mandate for Love and Peace (Pacifism): Jesus's teaching emphasizes non-retaliation, radical forgiveness, and the pursuit of peace. Christians are called to be "peacemakers" and not to return evil for evil. This perspective leads many Christians to believe that any participation in violence, including war, is fundamentally incompatible with the Gospel.
Scripture Says: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." (Matthew 5:38–39).
The Mandate for Governing Authority (Just War): The Bible grants governing authorities the specific role of maintaining order and restraining evil, even authorizing them to use force ("the sword") to do so. Christians are commanded to submit to and serve these authorities. This perspective sees participation in a just war as a necessary, if tragic, form of public service to restrain great evil.
Scripture Says: "For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4).
2. The Just War Tradition (The Majority Position)
Most Christian traditions (Catholic, Orthodox, and major Protestant denominations) operate within the Just War framework, which allows a Christian to participate in war, but only if strict moral conditions are met.
Purpose: War is permissible only as a last resort to defend the innocent, restrain tyranny, or right a severe wrong (a defensive, not aggressive, purpose).
Motives and Conduct: Even if the war's purpose is just, the Christian soldier must conduct themselves ethically (e.g., distinguishing between combatants and non-combatants) and maintain a heart of love and mercy, not hatred or revenge.
Service as Vocation: Under this view, joining the army can be seen as a legitimate vocation or calling—a way for a Christian to serve society by upholding justice, even if it involves the tragic necessity of force.
3. The Pacifist Tradition (The Minority Position)
The Pacifist tradition, strong in groups like the Mennonites and Quakers, believes the commands of Christ to love enemies and renounce violence are absolute, overriding the state's authority to use force.
The New Covenant Standard: Pacifists argue that Jesus raised the moral standard beyond Old Testament justice and that the ultimate priority for the Christian is to bear witness to the peace of Christ, even if it means suffering injustice.
Participation in Sin: They argue that all war involves unavoidable sin (indiscriminate killing, hatred) and that a Christian cannot participate without compromising their witness and their obedience to Christ's non-violent life. This position often leads Christians to serve in non-combatant roles (e.g., medics or chaplains).
4. The Individual Christian's Duty
Given these two valid, Christ-centered traditions, the individual Christian must prayerfully decide, seeking counsel and clarity.
Prayerful Conscience: The decision should be made under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with a clear conscience (Romans 14:5). The believer must determine which mandate (peace or defense) is the higher calling in that specific circumstance.
Commitment to Purity: Whether serving in combat or non-combat roles, the Christian must commit to moral purity, ensuring their actions are always governed by the highest ethical standards, refusing to commit atrocities, and maintaining love for the enemy even amidst the fighting.
Conclusion
A Christian may join the army and fight in a war, provided they sincerely believe, after prayerful discernment, that the conflict meets the criteria of a Just War (defending the innocent and restraining great evil) and that their service is a legitimate vocation to uphold the order God established.
Conversely, a Christian may choose Pacifism, believing the absolute call to peace and non-violence is the highest form of obedience.
In either case, the ultimate duty is to honor God and maintain the love and character of Christ, even when facing the tragic necessity of force.
