Does the Bible say anything about war?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible addresses war. In the Old Testament, God sometimes used war as a tool for justice against evil nations (Deuteronomy 20:17–18; 1 Samuel 15:1–3). His mercy is also seen in giving evil nations time to repent (Genesis 15:16). Too, there is a provision in the Mosaic law for the Israelites to offer peace to enemy nations (Deuteronomy 20:10). While war is described in terms of spiritual warfare rather than physical warfare in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 10:3–5; Ephesians 6:12), it also assumes that there will be wars in this world (Matthew 24:6–7). Despite this, God calls believers to be peacemakers and to live in peace as much as it depends on us (Romans 12:18). Ultimately, there are three approaches to war: activism, pacifism, or selectivism. It appears that selectivism is the view that best aligns with biblical principles, defending the innocent and upholding justice.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• After the Noahic flood, God established the death penalty for murder (Genesis 9:5–6). In doing this, He reaffirmed that humans are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and upheld the sanctity of human life (Psalm 139).
• Exodus 1 shows that it is wrong to take the life of an innocent even if the government commands it.
• The Ten Commandments, foundational to the Mosaic law, commanded against murder (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17).
• The Old Testament contains many examples of God using armies and war as His tool for justice against evil nations (Exodus 15:3; 1 Samuel 15:3; Joshua 6). Even in this, it seems God followed a “just war” approach. Many times God told the Israelites to first offer a peace treaty to enemy nations, but if they refused peace, then war was granted (Deuteronomy 20).
• The writer of Ecclesiastes says that there is: "A time for war, and a time for peace" (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In Matthew 5:39, Jesus instructs His followers to turn the other cheek instead of seeking revenge.
• In Matthew 24:6–7, Jesus warns His followers that "wars and rumors of wars" will be prevalent as signs of the end times, but He encourages them, telling them that they should not be alarmed, as these events are part of a greater unfolding plan. Luke 21:7–11 also discusses these occurrences, indicating that they are accompanied by various disasters and serve as indicators of significant prophetic events​.
• In Matthew 10:34, Jesus indicates that He did not come to bring peace but rather a sword, highlighting that His message would cause division, even among families, as individuals choose to follow Him.
• Ephesians 6:10–18 addresses the topic of war primarily in the context of spiritual conflict rather than physical battles.
• Romans 12:18 calls us to live peaceably with all, so far as it depends on us.
• Romans 13:1–4 explains that governing authorities are established by God. War may sometimes be a part of that governance.
• Second Corinthians 5:18–19 speaks of believers as "ambassadors for Christ," tasked with promoting peace and reconciliation rather than conflict.
• There will be a final war one day. The war of Armageddon, described in Revelation 16:16, represents the final battle between God and the forces of evil, culminating in Christ's ultimate victory over His enemies. With His word, Jesus will defeat and judge Satan and the beast, establishing His kingdom (Revelation 19:11–21).
• Revelation 20:7-10 mentions a war of Gog and Magog, which takes place after Christ's millennial reign, symbolizing the final rebellion against God before Satan's ultimate defeat.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Normally when a person asks what the Bible says concerning war, the questioner typically wants to know whether it is right to participate in war. There are basically three views constructed to answer the question:

1. Activism – Christians should participate in all wars entered into by their government

2. Pacifism – Christians should not participate in war because it involves the killing of people

3. Selectivism – Christians should participate in "just wars"

Activism says that government has been ordained by God and that to disobey one's government (and its command to go to war), is disobeying God. The standard set of verses cited to support this view is: "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" (Romans 13:1–2). Scripture appears to reject the concept of total activism. There are numerous Biblical cases of believers disobeying government when its commands are contrary to God's moral laws (e.g. Daniel, Peter, and John). History also appears to demonstrate the rejection of activism. For example, the Nuremberg trials showcased that blindly obeying the government is no excuse for taking the lives of innocents.

Pacifism generally puts forth three arguments. First, they wrongly quote the eighth commandment as "you shall not kill," when the actual verse says "you shall not murder ," which is different (Exodus 20:13). The pacifist also usually quotes one of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount statements: "But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39). In doing this, the pacifist fails to realize: (1) the slap on the face in the first century was an insult and not a threat of bodily harm, death, or confiscation of freedom or personal goods, and (2) it is a command directed to individuals and not nations. Lastly, the pacifist says that war is always based on greed, in one form or another. But history shows this to be false. As an example, the United States did not enter World War II because of greed but because the country was attacked and because its allies were being threatened with loss of life, freedom, and property from several dictators.

Selectivism says that Christians should participate in what is called a "just war". There is no single verse in Scripture that defines a "just war," however an attempt at a definition would be a war that:

• Is fought in the defense of the innocent

• Is fought to execute justice

• Is fought by a just government

• Is fought in a just manner (e.g. no children strapped with bombs)

There are a number of biblical examples that appear to support the just war concept. For example, Abraham's battle against the kings of Genesis 14 (and his blessing by Melchizedek) lends support to the conclusion that unjust national aggressors should be resisted and fought.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible acknowledges war as part of life on earth after the fall.
• God has used war to enact justice, but war is also sometimes just the result of sinful humanity.
• Three views on war are activism (supporting all government wars), pacifism (opposing violence entirely), and selectivism (participating in "just wars" that protect the innocent and uphold justice).

REFLECT

• How do you reconcile the concept of God using war for justice with His call for peace and reconciliation in our lives?
• How can we actively pursue being peacemakers in our communities while understanding the complexities surrounding war and conflict?
• When have you needed to stand up for justice? How does God’s character shape how and when we stand up for justice?

ENGAGE

• What biblical principles guide our understanding of when war might be necessary? How do those principles compare to contemporary views on conflict, including political conflict?
• How can the example of God offering peace before war (as seen in Deuteronomy 20:10) inform our approach to resolving conflicts in our own lives?
• How does understanding the spiritual aspect of warfare (Ephesians 6:10–18) shape our responses to physical conflicts and societal issues?