Does the church you attend approve of joining the Military?

Question

If it does, how can that be following Jesus' command to love your enemies?

Answer 1

What scriptures have always had a bearing on the attitude of true Christians toward participation in carnal warfare (Military service)?

Matt. 26:52: “Jesus said to him: ‘Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword.’” (Could there have been any higher cause for which to fight than to safeguard the Son of God? Yet, Jesus here indicated that those disciples were not to resort to weapons of physical warfare.)

Isa. 2:2-4: “It must occur in the final part of the days that the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains . . . And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.” (Individuals out of all nations must personally decide what course they will pursue. Those who have heeded Jehovah’s judgment give evidence that he is their God.)

2 Cor. 10:3, 4: “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things.” (Paul here states that he never resorted to fleshly weapons, such as trickery, high-sounding language, or carnal weapons, to protect the congregation against false teachings.)

Luke 6:27, 28: “I [Jesus Christ] say to you who are listening, Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you.”

As to serving in the armed forces, what does secular history disclose about the attitude of early Christians?

“A careful review of all the information available goes to show that, until the time of Marcus Aurelius [Roman emperor from 161 to 180 C.E.], no Christian became a soldier; and no soldier, after becoming a Christian, remained in military service.”—The Rise of Christianity (London, 1947), E. W. Barnes, p. 333.

“We who were filled with war, and mutual slaughter, and every wickedness, have each through the whole earth changed our warlike weapons,—our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into implements of tillage,—and we cultivate piety, righteousness, philanthropy, faith, and hope, which we have from the Father Himself through Him who was crucified.”—Justin Martyr in “Dialogue With Trypho, a Jew” (2nd century C.E.), The Ante-Nicene Fathers (Grand Rapids, Mich.; reprint of 1885 Edinburgh edition), edited by A. Roberts and J. Donaldson, Vol. I, p. 254.

“They refused to take any active part in the civil administration or the military defence of the empire. . . . it was impossible that the Christians, without renouncing a more sacred duty, could assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes.”—History of Christianity (New York, 1891), Edward Gibbon, pp. 162, 163.

Has the neutrality of Christians meant that they are not interested in the welfare of their neighbors?

Certainly not. They know well and conscientiously endeavor to apply the command repeated by Jesus: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:39) Also the counsel recorded by the apostle Paul: “Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.” (Gal. 6:10) They have been convinced that the greatest good that they can do for their neighbors is to share with them the good news of God’s Kingdom, which will lastingly solve the problems facing mankind and which opens up to those who embrace it the marvelous prospect of eternal life.

A recent book on Christianity made this observation: “The withdrawal of Jehovah’s Witnesses from political, military and social involvement has been interpreted by their enemies as misanthropy, and has been the chief cause of the outrageous persecution which has often been inflicted upon them.”—American Christianity, An Historical Interpretation.

In the Italian church magazine Andare alle genti a Roman Catholic nun wrote the following about Jehovah’s Witnesses: “They are worthy of our admiration for the way they refuse any form of violence and without rebelling put up with the many trials inflicted on them because of their beliefs . . . How different the world would be if we all woke up one morning firmly decided not to take up arms again, whatever the cost or the reason, just like Jehovah’s Witnesses!”

Answer 2

The church I belong to not only believes we should join the military, but supports and defends the constitution. We believe the founders of the United States were influenced strongly by God, to create an atmosphere where christianity could prevail. A Place that will influence freedom all over the world. It is working. 30 years ago, many people on earth were under the rule of Communisim. Communism was growing. In the past 40 years, there have been fewer countries under Dictator countries, where religion and growth of Christianity was stopped. Those countries now are receiving the true gospel (good news) and are becoming christians, Soon we will have the 2nd coming of Christ who will rule the world for 1000 year. Satan will be bound and the earth will be cleansed and receive its paradiscal glory and return to the way it was during the garden of Eden. "The lamb shall lay down by the Lion" There will be peace on earth for 1000 years. The murder's etc will be held in spiritual prison for those 1000 years and then the people of the earth will be judged and receive their promised rewards.

Answer 3

Sorry Martin, I plagurized a bit. So "Saddam & The Taliban", rec'd their authority from God. That explains why the Americans are having such a hard time. And China also, Cuba, and all the time we in the west have been defying God's orders. I guess we will have a lot of answering to do after all. Twist your Bible anyway you want. Jesus is opposed to war. Nobody said being a Christian was supposed to be easy. If you break one part of the law, you are guilty of breaking it all. You cannot pick and choose. THE LORD WILL NOT BE MOCKED.


"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Romans 13:1-6

Answer 4

Wow good deep question.

Yes, My church does believe in joining the military, In fact I'm serving now. We do because it is the act and responsibility of protecting your home and family that comes to play. And the best way to do that is to fight with the country protecting you.

"Saints and Soldiers" is a good Religious war Movie. What's best is that although you might guess the soldiers religion, they don't say it out right.

Loving your enemies is taking pity on them. "for they know not what they do". It's also being merciful when ever possible. but if it's a choice of me killing one person, or some one killing my family, I'm sorry, I'm taking them out.

P.S. Utah has the highest Mormon population per capita, not total. Look at California for that. And I don't see many military members from the Dakotas or Montana, (OK, bad example.)

Answer 5

maximum look authentic, although the "can't be friends with nonJW" is, a touch awesome. I have 2 friends, one an exJW and one a JW. i have been informed horror thoughts about the JW. A boy replaced into molested through an elder. you realize what occurred? They dis-whatevered the boy for gay acts and the elder replaced into kept away from for a month yet allowed back in with all his rights. they are very strict, yet from what i have been informed it is better than strict at cases and is down proper mind washing. you may examine a section 5 cases, alongside with the watchtower? and then you may answer questions about it infront of a classification. As for the saving of souls, i replaced into informed it really had to ensue once, earlier you grew to develop into an entire JW, a door to door vacation to keep souls. It occurred to me once, they requested me who the Lord replaced into and that i almost retorted till I known the undesirable boy searching very embarissed behind his mom. So I replied "Jesus" took the pamphlet and on the prompt requested the lady to depart. i do not position self assurance in Jesus. i'm very, very mouthy even as it is composed of Jesus yet to keep the boy embarassment i replaced into keen to keep my mouth close. If it is an entire crew of adults i do not carry back and ask them to depart and in the journey that they don't need then i'm getting mouthy.

Answer 6

I read a statistic that the state of Utah has the least number of people joining the military. Utah still has the highest population of Latter Day Saints in the US.

Answer 7

yes. there is much confusion on this topic.

while i am not a doctor of the faith....i do believe there is nothing ani-christian or anti biblical about joining the service to defend your country.

as a christian, forgiveness most certainly comes first. but God does not expect you to let evil people just kill you and take over the world. it is a sin for good people to do nothing. unfortunately, many of the people in the world today do not want forgiveness or love....so how then can it be offered???? terrorists do not desire peace nor forgiveness.

if some lunatic broke into your house and tried to kill your children at night.....what would Go expect us to just let them???

If you need a scripture reference to feel better, there is one in Luke 22:36. "if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one"....words of jesus himself. (must be pretty important)

Answer 8

Because the church I attend understands that when Jesus told individuals to love their enemies He wasn't making a statement about governments or government officials. The Bible is very clear about the role of governments and war.

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Romans 13:1-6

Here is what Jesus is going to do to his enemies when He comes back as the righteous judge and conquering King.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. Revelation 19:11-21

Answer 9

You sound like Jehovah's witness. why not fight for the freedom and welfare of your country, your religion and family as long as we are not guilty of the first and second offence? would you let someone kill you or your loved ones when you can protect them?

In some countries you have to be in the military for a certain time, you still need to follow the law of the land.

Answer 10

I do not belong to any church I worship Jesus on my own and read my bible on my own. Jesus hasn't had any problems with me serving my Country for the last 20 years so I guess he wont have any problems with me now that I have retired.