I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. PSALM 91:2-6 (NIV)

Dear friends,

As I have followed with interest the events of the past several days I have been quite uneasy. I must confess that I am torn and feeling much like one without a clear sense of what is right and what is wrong related to the crisis in Iraq. It would be easier for me if I simply had the luxury of an absolute opinion on the conflict. Perhaps then I could be like those who passionately take to the streets in protest of perceived injustice by inciting lawlessness and incivility. Or perhaps I could posture myself at the other end of the spectrum and demonstrate my undying patriotism with stereotyped satirical bumper stickers, buttons and t-shirts all dressed in red, white and blue and thus ease my conscience about nameless, faceless people dying in terror half a world away.

I am torn. Deep inside I am quite uncertain whether this war is or is not truly just in the eyes of my God. For you see, as it is in the eyes of God, so then it should be in ours and we should then respond appropriately.

Just-War?
A little over a year ago when the war against terror began in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld asked a handful of religious leaders to brief him on "just-war" doctrine. This was not a new question to the world. The issue of a "just-war" has been a topic of much debate and considerable thought for Christians throughout the centuries. Saint Augustine deliberated and wrote on the subject at length 1600 years ago. Thomas Aquinas discussed it in his Summa Theologica-however, not in the section on justice, but in the section on charity (meaning the love of God). Christian scholar Darrell Cole summarizes a point of his writings as such:

"The Christian who fails to use force to aid his neighbor when prudence dictates that force is the best way to render that aid is an uncharitable Christian. Hence Christians who willingly and knowingly refuse to engage in a just war…fail to show love towards their neighbor as well as towards God."

Aquinas wrote that a "just-war" should meet the following criteria: It must be conducted by a proper authority with just cause, right intentions, a reasonable chance of success, and using means proportional to the ends. In the war against terror in Afghanistan most of the world gave high marks to the Bush administration's efforts to meet "just-war" standards. However, even then some were asking, "How would this administration justify a preemptive strike on Iraq?"

Just over one year later, the question is no longer hypothetical. Now the church must face the question squarely. There can be little doubt about a reasonable chance of success, nor means proportional to the ends in this conflict. The question of authority in this global community of the 21st century is a quagmire that history will have to judge. The real question before us, then, is can this preemptive strike be morally justified? Every follower of Christ must ask this question. Pursuing the answer is not a matter of loyalty or patriotism, rather a matter of faithfulness. We must first acknowledge that no one deserves our unquestioning loyalty other than God himself, and that all other loyalties must be tested by Biblical norms such as justice, mercy, and generosity of spirit. For Christians to feel that they must minimize honest reflection on such troubling developments in the name of patriotism risks idolatry of the state and grave disobedience to our Lord Jesus Christ. Friends, in times such as these, patriotism is indeed a noble quality, but not the highest quality.

Please make no mistake about my own patriotism. I contend without apology or excuse that the United States of America is the greatest country in the world, not just now, but ever. Read your world history and you will have to agree. I thank God for the immense privilege to raise my family in this country and believe that defending this country and defending my family are synonymous.

For our question of a "just-war", history provides some insight to the issue. During the rise of Nazi Germany and the years leading up to World War II, a minority of world leaders, such as Great Britain, argued that Hitler should not be appeased. However, other world leaders, interestingly enough nations such as France and Russia, engaged in extraordinary diplomatic efforts to avoid war. Efforts in that case that proved to be counterproductive. As Hitler expanded Germany's military presence throughout Europe these same leaders looked almost solely to the League of Nations - a pre-World War II version of the United Nations - to deal with the growing threat out of Germany. In hindsight the answer is clear. Had the allies possessed the military intelligence and weapons, a preemptive strike against Nazi Germany would have been justified before they had overrun Poland and occupied much of France. Instead, Russians died by the tens of thousands to liberate Poland while the shores of France were littered with the bodies and blood of American, British, and Australian soldiers. History, then, teaches us that preemptive force against a known evil that is a demonstrated threat is not only just, it is in fact charitable and merciful just as Aquinas had suggested.

So then, is this a "just-war" as well? The first response from the church worldwide has been largely negative. U.S. Catholic bishops oppose the attack. One hundred Christian ethicists around the world announced their opposition; so did the general secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches. The new Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope John Paul II both expressed opposition. Moreover, our perceived moral standing in the world has never been more precarious. Our ties with many historic allies have been badly damaged. Our relationships with significant nations with whom we must deal-like Russia and China-have worsened. International institutions such as NATO and the United Nations have been weakened.

However, many others have drawn the parallels between Hussein and Hitler. More than 45 countries have chosen to stand with the Unites States and confront Hussein with preemptive force. If all that we hear about atrocities, chemical weapons, nuclear capabilities and an oppressive government turn out to be absolutely true, then this is certainly a "just-war." It is believed by many that not all is even known yet on the massive abuses and atrocities this man has committed against not only foreign enemies, but against his own people.

So then, confidence in all of this assumes trustworthy military intelligence and the goodwill of the United States and other coalition leaders. Indeed, I find it hard to believe that any President, aware of the awesome consequences of his decision and of the certainty of second-guessing in a liberal democracy, would act recklessly with such high stakes. For the time, I tentatively presume that our government has acted justly and pray that my presumption will not be disappointed.

Peace
Meanwhile, in the midst of these events I am only certain concerning that which will never disappoint: The peace of Christ.

Operation "Iraqi Freedom" proposes to force a regime change that will presumably liberate the Iraqi people and usher in an era of freedom and peace formerly unknown to the Iraqi people. Let us not be naïve. There is no lasting peace that our government or any government can offer the Iraqi people. Again, history is our teacher. Many historians suggest that in the past 5600 years of recorded history the world has known only about 290 years of peace. There will always be wars, corruption, disease and senseless death. There is no lasting peace to offer the Iraqi people apart from the incomparable peace of Christ reigning in the hearts and lives of the Iraqi people amidst the terrors of this fallen world. True peace exists not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of God.

This has always been true. In the time that Jesus walked this earth there was, in fact, an oppressive occupying government in Jerusalem. That government took much of the resources of the Israeli people for its own purposes. Summary executions of dissidents were commonplace. The head of state, Caesar, was to be revered as "god-like." The "peace" was kept through threat of military reprisal. The Israelis of that generation desperately desired and often sought liberation. So, when this radical, new teacher came on the scene, and as people began to flock to him, many believed that this Jesus would incite a revolution that would exact sweeping political and social change. Instead, after three years of public ministry and His subsequent execution at the hands of the government, the immediate measurable impact of Jesus' ministry was the changed hearts and lives of little more than a dozen followers. Not exactly a revolution by most standards. Even as Christ miraculously arose from the grave, these few faithful followers struggled to understand their new shifting paradigms of liberation, freedom and peace within the context of the kingdom of God. Before ascending to heaven Jesus offered his followers these parting words:

"I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn't like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27)

As followers of Christ we not only enjoy the benefit of this great peace, but we also bear the responsibility as ambassadors of this same peace. And while I have suggested that for the sake of justice we need consider honestly the issues of a "just-war", the response of greater significance to the current crisis relates to the message of true, eternal peace that we bear. The night Jesus was born, the angels declared, "Peace on earth, goodwill to men." This was not the promise of the absence of conflict, but a declaration of the institution of a new era of peace between God and mankind. This declaration was made certain on the cross. So the issue of war begins with mankind and our rebelliousness and ends with God and His provision of peace.

While I personally do not command hundreds of thousands of troops, nor do I persuade military policy, with Christ as my example I can be an agent of change in people's lives. Our ministry is essentially unchanged, only the current context has changed. As Christ's ambassadors of peace we need not take to the streets with banners nor make concerted displays of patriotism. Rather, I see our ministry of peace as three-fold:

1. The ministry of humanitarian service
The church, not the government, should be the first to rise up and meet the needs of those who are hungry, sick, hurt and homeless. In the aftermath of the current crisis there is no doubt that the need will be great. To that end I will endeavor to present practical opportunities to this local body of believers to participate in meeting these needs.

2. The ministry of physical presence
Both at home and abroad we are the physical presence of Christ to a dark and dying world. Our neighbors, friends, co-workers and family are watching the same news broadcasts we are. They too have someone they know in the midst of the battle. We must always be mindful of our role as ambassadors of Christ and the message of true peace that we carry and share it freely to those in need around us.

Some of us may actually receive a call from God to go personally to Iraq and offer physical assistance. My prayer is that God will allow that very thing to happen in our midst and that some sitting here will have the opportunity to be God's instruments to bring real peace to the Iraqi people.

3. The ministry of prayer
We ought to always be in prayer. In these days we are reminded daily of the many specific things for which we can be in prayer. We cannot allow ourselves to become so absorbed in the amazing media coverage of these surreal events as to prevent us from approaching the throne of God and seeking His will. Pray for government leaders, soldiers, Iraqis, our military chaplains and the many families around the globe impacted by this crisis.

In closing, I recognize that many are frightened during these uncertain times and find that they themselves are searching for the peace that Christ offers. For you, I submit this from God's Word for your encouragement:

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39)

May the peace of Christ reign mightily in the hearts and lives of all those who serve Him.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

OTHER ISSUES

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