Dear Reader,

Make no mistake about it, we live in a world that is involved in constant warfare somewhere or another. With electronic communications, and the ability to transmit pictures around the world in seconds, we can be brought into close proximity with warfare in ways that were never possible before. Have you ever wondered why there were so many wars? Perhaps you have also wondered, “What does God think about war?”

Anyone who reads the history recorded in the Bible comes to the conclusion that God did indeed use war during that era to punish and/or correct a people group who had disobeyed His commandments. The Children of Israel, the ancestors of present-day Jewish people, were often afflicted by war when they drew away from God and ignored the relationship they were to have with Him as His people. When they cried out to God against their oppressors, and turned from following the wicked practices of the nations around them, God would send a deliverer, who often was used of God during battles and warfare tactics to bring peace and freedom back to God’s people. One item of note, however, is that God often did things that caused the enemy to be defeated, that could not have been done by human strength or ingenuity. They were supernatural acts that helped the people understand that their enemies were not routed or overcome by their might and power, but rather by the fact that God actually aided them. Therefore, they could take little or no credit for themselves; it was God who “fought” for them. You can read many of these stories in the books of history in the Old Testament, from Genesis through the books of Chronicles.

As we move into the New Testament, however, we notice a change that occurs in and through the teachings of Jesus, and, later, the Apostles. Jesus spoke about returning good for evil, going the second mile, and turning the other cheek. He spoke about loving those who treat you wrongly, and those who persecute you (read the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7). The Apostle James tells us in the book that bears his name, chapter 4, verses 1 and 2, that wars come because of greed, envy, and covetousness. We come to the point of recognizing then, that war is not an option that is open to us as believers to make things right in the world. Specifically, we believe that Christ calls us to nonviolent means of the dissolution of our problems, at every level. We recognize that warfare affects more than an opposing army. It destroys houses and lands, but, more than that, it destroys families, and livelihoods. Wars affect economy, and often bring shortages of food, water, medical supplies, facilities, and personnel, and many other things that are necessary for normal living. War brings division rather than unity, and more strife rather than peace.

Then, too, Jesus gave us a divine mandate that we call the great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20. In it, we are told to go and teach, not go and conquer. In summary, then, we believe Jesus wanted His disciples to practice loving others as He did, even to forgiving those who were His enemies, regardless of whether they asked or not. The apostles tell us to pursue and seek peace (Romans 14:19; I Corinthians 7:15; Colossians 3:15; II Timothy 2:22; Hebrews 12:14). And lastly, part of the fruit of the Spirit is peace (Galatians 5:22).

One may ask, “Well, if God used war back then, won’t He use it now?” The question is valid, and my only answer can be, “Perhaps.” However, no matter which way the answer falls to that question, I believe that, as a Christian, I cannot participate. May God help us to follow Him as He leads us.

Thanks for reading,
Pastor Ritchey