Under What Circumstances Would God Authorize War, by Mutungi Kenneth

Mutungi Kenneth.
J05B11/1355
Journal Entry: Under what circumstances would God authorize war?


A war that is sanctioned by God. God allows it for a special reason. He determines when and why to go to war.
This argument is completely un biblical.
we have heard, "Eye for eye" and "tooth for tooth" But Gods scripture tells us not to resist an evil person, that if some one strikes you on the right chick, turn to him the other also.
we have also heard that, "love your neighbor and hate your enemy" But the scripture is clear. It says; 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." {Mathew 5:38-39,43-44, NIV}
The word of Jesus seems crystal clear. He calls his followers to refrain from fighting enemies under any circumstances. Surely, then, he calls his followers not to participate in war.
However, throughout history, the majority of Jesus' followers have not taken this command seriously. They have found ways to justity taking part in war. The turning point came in the fifth century when Augustine of Hippo formed the doctrine of "Just war". Since then countless wars have been rationalized by Christians as "Just wars."


Arguments by Augustine as regards the doctrine of "Just war" led me to examine quite a number of questions. Thus:
1. "What about war in the old testament."
2. "What about soldiers in the new testament"?
3. "Paul in Romans 13 says we must obey the state"
4. "What about conducting war to defend ones country"
In responce to these questions, I found out that, they were very weak. And they can not justify war under any circumstances.

Many Old Testament practices are superseded in the New Testament. So we can not use the Old Testament alone for forming our doctrine of war.

Soldiers are followers of Jesus. For example the soldiers who came to be baptized by John the Baptist, the centurian who had great faith {Mathew 8:5-13, Luke 7:1-10},
In no case is there a hint that they were fighting battles. Soldiers also fulfilled peace keeping roles, akin to modern police. So this case does not carry much weight.

Since when did the law of the state take precedence over the law of God?
"We must obey the laws of God, not men". if the laws of the state conflict with Gods laws, we are called to disobey the state. Christians have no hesitation in saying that we should go aganist state laws on issues like abortion or racism. So why not war.?

The problem is; what is ones own country?
In Northern Ireland, both Repulicans and Unionists passionately believe that Northern Ireland is part of their country. In Palestine, both the Israelis and Palestine believe that the same part of land is "theirs".
Almost any war can be justified in defending someones' country.


I believe that, just like Jesus calls all people to follow him, so he also calls upon people to renounce war. Firist and foremost this is a call to all Christians, those who claim to follow Jesus to take the lead. As Christians we should ask our selves whether we have honestly followed his teachings.