War:  What is it good for?  --- Joshua B

What do you think of war?  Is it ever legitimate?

What would you be willing to die for?

For what would you kill someone?

Can academics decide this issue? 

War 4 views: Non-resistance

Mat 5:39:  turn the cheek;

Peter uses sword rebuked Mat 26:52-54; 

Love neighbor not = killing (?) [murder]

Separation of church and state (Jn 18:36 If my kingdom were of this world my servants would fight)

Christ’s dying for others example

Problem with Non-resistance

Dualism:   spiritual / natural world;  do you eat?

Dual citizenship

Other Scriptural remarks:  Matt 10:34;  Lk 22:35-38—I did not come to bring peace but the sword…

What if you saw someone being raped, would you not act forcefully? Dialogue?

Pacifism:

Mic 4:3  beat swords into plowshares

Kingdom of God:  lion laying down with calf (Isa 11:6-9)  Shalom rules

Passive resistance:  dying / self-sacrifice

Possibility of individual calling (diversity)

Beware of flag burners, spitting on Vets

Caution Prophets of Shalom: Jer 6:16/ 8:11; 23:17

Just War theory

Go to war for good cause

What constitutes a good cause? 

Joshua – some wars are right—War is never the answer? Is that true?

Eccles 3:8  -- a time for war

God portraying himself as a warrior
     (Exod. 15:3; Ps. 18:8ff.).

  Jesus too (SM versus Revelation on Scripture
       twisting, Rev. 19:15, 21 )
       —sword out of mouth=justice/peace?

How does one fight a good war?

Biblical reasons for going to war:

land, --Og

divine command, --Jericho

moral violation, --Gibeah & concubine

insult, --Rabbah & David

defense, -- Sennacherib

oppression, -- Gideon

helping others – Gibeonites &Joshua

Preventive War

First strike to avoid latter conflict or prevent damage

What do you think?

Future problems:  nukes in cities; blackmail, no national entity—ideological groups of individuals not nations

Final Thoughts

Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful. 1:8

Beginning Prophets-Josh 1:8, Kethubim Ps. 1:2 same idea

Covenant renewal at Shechem 24:25f—adds to the Book of the Law-

Final call to decision: 24:15 as for me…