Does Jesus approve of war?

Question

Does that idiot not know that "Onward Christian Soldiers" is a metaphor?

Answer 1

yes, Jesus drives too so he needs oil just like anyone does!

Answer 2

No, I just cannot see Jesus taking up a weapon and killing anyone.
In the Old Testament, the only times when God was in favor of war was in the case of the Children of Israel taking the land that was promised to them, or when they were being attacked and God wanted to spare them. The reason that God wanted to drive out the other societies including getting rid of all of the women and children was to create a place where other religions and practices would not influence his people. If you look at the kings after David and Solomon, many of the kings refused to remove the false idol altars and "high places" which kept people from worshipping God.

However, when the Israelites, such as King David went to war for personal glory, God did not honor that request. But he did protect the children of Israel many times against more powerful armies.

In the New Testament, theh principles we are to live with are love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperence (self control). Does that sound warlike to you? Also, the Bible says if someone takes something offer them kindness. I know I'm paraphrasing here, but my point is that God does not want us to hate one another.

So, I do not see Jesus or God approving of war. Because the war is for personal gain (as in the case of the Crusades).

Answer 3

Onward, Christian Soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.



Christ, the royal master,

Leads against the foe.

Forward into battle,

See His banners go.

Onward, Christian Soldiers,

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.


>>>Yes, this "idiot" realizes that the song is a metaphor...does that idiot realize that a warlike metaphor sung to honor the "Prince of Peace" is somewhat ironic? Tsk tsk...name calling....it's like being in third grade in here.<<<

Answer 4

The Bible says that after Satan rebelled against God, there was war in heaven. Hmm. Interesting huh? There are two sides to this coin so you'll have to come up with something a little stronger to bait the Christian. War is not God's preference. He created man in a state of peace, on a peaceful planet. War did not begin to ravage the planet until man chose to rebel against God. So in that sense man is the cause of war. In another sense, look at the history of Israel. Whenever Israel rebelled against God, GOD brought foreign armies against her and then used other armies to destroy those armies. War is God's instrument of justice. Before you can rightly condemn God for allowing war or even causeing war you need to establish that God's case against us does not warrant that kind of judgement. But no one can really do this unless they take God at his Word when it says the wages of sin is death. We do not think that is ethical because fallen man has a anthropocentric worldview. We believe we are the center of all meaning and the arbitrators of justice. But that is first father Adam talking through us. He thought he should be able to rule his life without God which was the beginning of a man-centered worldview. Where did war come from? Did not Cain kill his own brother Abel? In conclusion we have to see that there is a sense in which Jesus does approve of war and another where he doenst. Final example...the cross. Did God approve of the death of his Son? Yes and no. Yes because He purposed the cross in order to save many people. No because the death was undeserved, Jesus was righteous, not criminal.

Answer 5

War is never a good thing, but many times a necessary evil. His word instructs us to obey the governing authorities, because "they do not bear the sword in vain..." (Romans 13)

I'm sure that Jesus doesn't approve of war, but has told us that there will be wars and rumors of wars. It's a fact of life, and always will be until He returns to end all wars.

Answer 6

Jesus is Divine, he became One with God. Nothing that happens in the world happens against the Divine will.

Another question may be whether Jesus likes the war, of course, he does not.

War is something that people are inventing, for greed, for money, for hate, for intolerance. God allows it to take place, for it is a lesson and a form of purification. In the suffering, people get closer to God, and those responsible, earn themselves their punishment. War is a catalyst in the spiritual sense, as painful as it may be for Jesus to watch it, something good comes out of it, on the Soul plane. That is why it is allowed, and from the cosmic perspective, it is even inevitable.

Answer 7

In the book of Joshua, God commanded the Israelites to go into the city of Jericho after the walls fell and to kill every man, woman and child with the exception of Rahab and her family (because she helped Joshua and Caleb when they came to spy out the city). It's a recurring theme in the Bible that God will eventually get to the point where He unleashes His wrath against all wickedness and unrighteousness. It's also a common theme that good, represented by God and His Son Jesus Christ, is in constant conflict with evil, represented by Satan. So in the context of good vs. evil, where Jesus is the judge of which is good and which is evil, I believe He does approve of war.

Answer 8

Wow, I have read this again and again, along with all the answers so far, and cannot believe some of the answers you received...
No, I do not believe Jesus would approve of war. In his sayings, he continually speaks of turning the other cheek, of rendering unto Caesar that which is Caesar, etc. No where do I read that Jesus said to fight.
Now, for the other answers, you have got to be kidding me...

Answer 9

Does Jesus even exist?
I'd say, unlike the OT God, the Jesus character would not approve of war....Very much the opposite of his 'war-mongering' father/other self

Answer 10

I would have to say yes. There are many times in the Bible followers of God entered into war. It is most appropriate in defense of freedom, for that ability to be able to believe and worship how you wish, and for the ability to provide for your family and raise them in the word of God. Even Christ had to go into the Temple and cause trouble when the Temple was being defiled. In sum, it all depends on the cause.

Answer 11

He must approve. His followers have been waging wars for a couple thousand years.