I am thankful that I was never called upon to kill in warfare. Others have expressed similar appreciation. Were we selfish, the beneficiaries of the sacrifices of others who had no recourse in duty? An understanding of the issues might assist in the treatment of veterans who have been mentally and emotionally broken by the horrors of warfare, in the distortion, suffering, denial and death. War’s horror in the cruelty and violation of humanity devastates many. The observation of Solomon that there is a time for war does not imply approval of war. He knew there occurs what historians have called irrepressible conflicts. Solomon did not fight wars. His father, David, did. David was limited by God for it. Isaiah encouraged readers about the future: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:4 – KJV) Resources will be turned to constructive purposes. War will be ended. (Psalm 46:9 and Jeremiah 42:14)
My feelings do not grow out of fear of death. I have faced that challenge on several occasions – three bouts with cancer, a disgruntled student with a gun in his hand, accident experiences on the road, and other dangers. One of God’s gifts to me is freedom from fear. Further, the thought of killing another person contradicts my life context, although I would defend to my death or another’s, the safety of my family – likely by offering myself in substitution. As ugly and depraved as war is, it is obvious that God permits warfare, with its excruciating costs and suffering – as he permits pain in childbirth, or jungle conduct where animals kill other animals, or pandemics that devastate populations, or storms and highway accidents that take more lives than warfare. Scripture parable relates warfare as reflective of personal inner warfare in us. (James 4:2) It relates to all issues. Even as a sinner, I could not throw the switch at an electrocution, or trip the door at a hanging, or order painless death or execution. For that deliverance I must work for peace.
Human nature insists on war. It is our habit. Depravity does that to us. Do wars accomplish anything? They do. They force change (a depression is ended, minority interests are advanced); animosities are shifted (former enemies become allies); and, achievements in technologies are passed to civilian uses. The story can be extended. Do they destroy? They do. Millions of human beings die, or health is wounded in aftermath. There are losses of careers, of resources, of civility, of culture, of other values in society. Responding to my draft board, I signed up for the draft in my freshman year in College in late 1940. My note to the board was that although I was a new theological student I did not wish that status to deter me from obligation. I was sent a 4-D deferment, common for ministerial students at the time. War came. The deferment remained. Though lacking education, I was willing to go as a chaplain or medic. The draft board did not respond to my note. Now old, I am grateful that I was never called to take an enemy life. Certainly, I believe in serving my country. There is a burden to bear for those called for duty and country. We ought to yearn, work and pray for peace. Nations betray civilization and God in the sin of war. As the prophet Micah put it, I am a man averse to war. (Micah 2:8) God asks prayer, always for peace. It is a command with promise – prosperity, perhaps also peace. My question to any person running for public office is: What is your program to promote peace in the world among nations? I believe that is part of my Christian duty and if required to serve in the event of armed conflict I would do anything to aid my country, except pull a trigger. The voices of peace and good will may fail, but sometimes they win, and constitute what is part of the duty and merciful concerns of the Christian – public and private. Peace! *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020