Just Warfare
By Dr. Derek Carlsen
Just warfare is firmly grounded in Scripture, however, many Christians have a fuzzy view of the topic. In passing, pacifism is an idea that is as out of touch with the full teaching of Scripture as it is with our real-life experiences.
Nations
Scripture everywhere acknowledges the existence and legitimacy of nations and their borders, for example, Moses was tasked by God to take the nation of Israel beyond Egypt’s borders (Exodus 5:1) and lead them to a designated land while passing through other nations on the way. Moses asked these nations for permission to pass through their territories, thus acknowledging the existence and legitimacy of their borders (Numbers 20:17).
Governments
God ordained the need for nations to have a form of government while also revealing the necessity that the governed grant their consent to the governors; God Himself exemplified this principle (Exodus 24:3). Moreover, God laid down very limited responsibilities that governments have in their nations, namely, they are God’s servants to uphold, for the sake of the people, God’s definitions of good and evil (Romans 13:4)—rewarding those who do good and punishing those who practice evil.
Keeping Society Viable
A government’s task is to provide the law and order that makes social life possible for the people within its borders—that is the extent of its calling and responsibilities. People grant the government authority over themselves in order to protect the peace and prosperity of their national existence.
Duty Toward Citizens
A government’s duty is limited to its citizens because its authority is derived from them, thus, a nation’s borders define the extent of its jurisdiction. This means that the government of one nation has no God-given jurisdiction over the government or people of another nation.
Responsibility to Defend
Every government has the obligation to defend its citizens from both internal and external enemies, that is, from direct threats against their person and property, and when detected, such threats need to be neutralized.
Taxes and Services
The government’s services of maintaining law and order are paid for through taxation; citizens in a nation pay for these services. Tax collectors were told not to take more from the people than they ought (Luke 3:13) and Jesus said it is right to pay for services received, in this case, reliable money (Matthew 22:17-21).
Life, Liberty, and Property
War is waged by a nation at the expense of its citizens. A just war is a nation defending the life, liberty, and property of its citizens when these are threatened by another nation. The people in a nation have to consent to go to war and their consent has to flow out of their God-given right to defend themselves by sacrificing their lives and wealth. War is costly, but slavery is more so.
Jurisdiction Ends at the Border
Every nation’s authority and responsibilities end at its borders (a pre-emptive strike beyond one’s borders, that is clearly done in self-defense, is legitimate). Individuals can sacrifice their own lives and resources for any cause in other nations, but the government of a nation cannot decide to sacrifice the lives and resources of its citizens for the sake of another nation.
Alliances
Most, if not all, nations believe that their safety necessitates alliances, however, it is obvious in Scripture that alliances are an alternative to trusting and serving the true God. It is God who secures a nation’s borders with peace (Psalm 147:14); He gives peace to a nation so that they fear no one, but rather crush any enemies that come against them (Leviticus 26:6-8) because righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs 14:34).
Citizens and National Policy
The citizens of a nation are meant to keep a check on their government’s policies and activities through vigilance, elections, and open communication. However, these citizens have no ability to keep a check on the policies and actions of an ally. A nation might easily provoke a war through its policies or even clandestine actions, forcing the citizens of an ally to come to their defense and sacrifice their lives and wealth. Nations find their security, not in allies, but by serving the Lord (Psalm 2:10-12).
Become One Nation
If a nation is, for some reason, too weak to defend itself, then it has an option to become one with another nation by submitting to its constitution and laws.
Conclusion
Total war in the Older Testament, where cities were entirely wiped out, came about due to very specific revelation coming through God’s prophets. We no longer have such prophets and thus, the only 'just war' today, is a defensive war, whereby the citizens of a nation defend life, liberty, and property within their own nation. It is right and good for a government to call upon its citizens to give their lives and wealth for this cause. Serving the Lord though is a nation’s surest protection.