How can someone who is a christian also be a soldier?

Question

I am just curious if anyone knows how this might be justified? I believe it says "Thou shalt not kill".....period. So how would someone justify, even to themselves, killing people while in the military? Any thoughts here?

Answer 1

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!

Refrain

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Refrain

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Refrain

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Refrain

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Refrain

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain

Answer 2

You obviously are not acquainted with the Old Testament. There's a lot of precedent for righteous killing in the bible. Thou shall not murder is the commandment but killing in war is considered a righteous act which is applauded by man and God.

Answer 3

There are legitimate reasons to be a soldier. Defense of your country is a valid cause to be in the Armed Forces. And Jesus Himself praised a soldier for his faith:

Matthew 8:8-10

The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

"For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, "Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel."

And as someone else pointed out earlier, the actual translation of "Thou shalt not kill" is actually closer to "Thou shalt do no murder." Taking another life in defense of your country and your fellow soldiers is not a willful act of murder.

I know that there are a lot of grey areas and questions when a soldier is faced with reconciling his job and his faith. But God doesn't condemn the men and women who serve Him and their country with right motives.

Answer 4

I'm glad I saw this one. I AM a soldier in the US Army. Honestly, I try not to think about it. I HOPE, I never have to kill, I don't WANT to kill, but make no mistake. If I feel that my crew is in danger, I will kill without hesitation. Ask for forgiveness later. Maybe not the best thought process in the world, but it got me through Iraq.

Answer 5

sure. i'm a Christian Soldier. on a daily basis is a clean conflict with sin. on a daily basis i could take in my bypass and slay my dragons. I try this with the word of God and via His authority.

Answer 6

IT IS THOU SHALT NOT MURDER!!! NOT KILL, MURDER!

Killing is justified, murder is not. I'm sorry people don't know the difference, thankfully the courts and God does, though. Every Christian has the duty and obligation to defend their country and faith to the death.

Answer 7

If you look at the ancient Greek and Hebrew translations of that specific part of the Old Testament, it actually translates to "Thou Shall Not Murder". It would be quite contradictory of God to say "Not Kill", when he condoned quite a lot of wars with the Israelites.

Answer 8

People can justify anything. Try to imagine Jesus killing Iraqis. It's a little hard, isn't it? Murder is murder. There's always a reason for it. I don't blame the troups, they don't really have any say these days. But it isn't what Jesus would do.

Answer 9

Killing comes naturally to Christians just ask the Native Americans.

Answer 10

becouse the BIBLE says GIVE UNTO GOD WHAT is GOD'S it also says give unto cesear what is ceaser's which means if THE COUNTRY says give your life for it weather or not you believe in the mission you do it becouse you are not acountable for it unless you do something illegal than you are acountable you as a soldier must obey GOD than country period THAT WAY YOU HAVE HONOR in life as a soldier !!!! you are not mudering people that is on the countrys hands if you obey them ....besides if you if you are a CHRISTIAN you are a soldier `