Christians And Combatant Military Service ?

[Scott Hutchinson]

Is it wrong for Christian to join the military and take part in combatant military service or if a Christian is in the military must he only serve in noncombatant duty ?
What say ye ?
What do the scriptures teach about the subject ?

Just don't ask Moses... his ideas might be a little too barbaric for us. lol.

[Sam]

When Jesus quoted what we call the "thou shalt not kill" commandment, He quoted it as "thou shalt do no murder" (Matthew 19:18). That's the way the NKJV translates it in the list of the "10 commandments" in Exodus 20. God made "murder" illegal, but He authorized taking a life in war and taking a life in capital punishment. He also made a difference in what we today would call "manslaughter" and "murder."

As far as UPC, this is in their Articles of Faith:..I see (1940) there, does that still apply?

CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES

We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our Government; however, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms or the taking of human life.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct us as follows: ".. that ye resist not evil. . ." (Matt. 5:39): "Follow peace with all men..." (Heb. 12:14). (See also Matt. 26:52; Rom. 12:19; James 5:6; Revelation 13:10). These we believe and interpret to mean Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life.

Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens, but are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of human life.

Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union, boycott, or organization which will force or bind any of its members to belong to any organization, perform any duties contrary to our conscience, or receive any mark, without our right to affirm or reject same (1930).

However, we regret the false impression created by some groups or so-called "conscientious objectors" that to obey the Bible is to have a contempt for law or magistrates, to be disloyal to our Government and in sympathy with our enemies, or to be unwilling to sacrifice for the preservation of our commonwealth. This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to any patriot. The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man. It also commands us that first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country. We, therefore, exhort our members to freely and willingly respond to the call of our Government except in the matter of bearing arms. When we say service, we mean service-no matter how hard or dangerous. The true church has no more place for cowards than has the nation. First of all, however, let us earnestly pray that we will with honor be kept out of war.

We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in certain noncombatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms. (1940).

We further believe that our military personnel must live in a manner consistent with the Articles of Faith.

[RevBuddy]

Sarah...

I am a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and ordained UPCI minister, so I do have a personal perspective on this issue.

I believe the particular section of the Articles of Faith you have referenced is being completely ignored for the most part in the last 15-20 years. Many of our churches are located near major military bases and have large memberships and ministers who are active duty military personnel. In some cases, UPCI executive officers have pastored churches with extensive military membership and military members holding ministry positions in the assembly.

There is a clear and distinct principle in scripture that allows both a society and an individual to defend hearth and home as well as defend country in time of war. Years ago, young ministers were encouraged to register as conscientious objectors...however, now, as with many church issues that are being examined carefully in light of scriptural foundation and reference, the military issue has died from neglect...

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by SarahElizabeth

As far as UPC, this is in their Articles of Faith:..I see (1940) there, does that still apply?

CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES

We recognize the institution of human government as being of divine ordination, and, in so doing, affirm unswerving loyalty to our Government; however, we take a definite position regarding the bearing of arms or the taking of human life.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, we believe in implicit obedience to His commandments and precepts which instruct us as follows: ".. that ye resist not evil. . ." (Matt. 5:39): "Follow peace with all men..." (Heb. 12:14). (See also Matt. 26:52; Rom. 12:19; James 5:6; Revelation 13:10). These we believe and interpret to mean Christians shall not shed blood nor take human life.

Therefore, we propose to fulfill all the obligations of loyal citizens, but are constrained to declare against participating in combatant service in war, armed insurrection, property destruction, aiding or abetting in or the actual destruction of human life.

Furthermore, we cannot conscientiously affiliate with any union, boycott, or organization which will force or bind any of its members to belong to any organization, perform any duties contrary to our conscience, or receive any mark, without our right to affirm or reject same (1930).

However, we regret the false impression created by some groups or so-called "conscientious objectors" that to obey the Bible is to have a contempt for law or magistrates, to be disloyal to our Government and in sympathy with our enemies, or to be unwilling to sacrifice for the preservation of our commonwealth. This attitude would be as contemptible to us as to any patriot. The Word of God commands us to do violence to no man. It also commands us that first of all we are to pray for rulers of our country. We, therefore, exhort our members to freely and willingly respond to the call of our Government except in the matter of bearing arms. When we say service, we mean service-no matter how hard or dangerous. The true church has no more place for cowards than has the nation. First of all, however, let us earnestly pray that we will with honor be kept out of war.

We believe that we can be consistent in serving our Government in certain noncombatant capacities, but not in the bearing of arms. (1940).

We further believe that our military personnel must live in a manner consistent with the Articles of Faith.

My father served in the US Army during WWII, as a noncombatant medic, served on the front lines and treating the wounded in the middle of combat all without any weapon of his own. He was preserved by his faith, and was a true testimony of honor and courage to his fellow soldiers. He received not a scratch in some of the heaviest fighting in the Philippines and afterward in Japan. Except for God's protection I would not be here today.

My older brother served in Vietnam, in the same manner. He however, did get injured when the jeep he was riding in hit a big bump and the surgical scissors in his back pocket were impaled into his rear end. Otherwise, he also received perfect protection.

I believe the individual must have a deep faith and conviction to pursue these paths, otherwise you better have the weapons. I believe there is a difference between murder and service to preserve one's country.

[Pragmatist]

My grandfather and great uncles were told to register as conscientious objectors during WWII. Grandpa worked as a dental assistant in Georgia, never left the US. One of my uncles was either a cook or a medic, don't know which story is right. The other two got medical exemptions.

My dad is a WWII hero...I don't feel comfortable posting all of the things about him on this forum, but he was a very brave soldier and won numerous awards. My dad has never been UPC.

Originally Posted by RevBuddy

Sarah...

I am a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and ordained UPCI minister, so I do have a personal perspective on this issue.

I believe the particular section of the Articles of Faith you have referenced is being completely ignored for the most part in the last 15-20 years. Many of our churches are located near major military bases and have large memberships and ministers who are active duty military personnel. In some cases, UPCI executive officers have pastored churches with extensive military membership and military members holding ministry positions in the assembly.

There is a clear and distinct principle in scripture that allows both a society and an individual to defend hearth and home as well as defend country in time of war. Years ago, young ministers were encouraged to register as conscientious objectors...however, now, as with many church issues that are being examined carefully in light of scriptural foundation and reference, the military issue has died from neglect...

[Falla39]

Originally Posted by crakjak

My father served in the US Army during WWII, as a noncombatant medic, served on the front lines and treating the wounded in the middle of combat all without any weapon of his own. He was preserved by his faith, and was a true testimony of honor and courage to his fellow soldiers. He received not a scratch in some of the heaviest fighting in the Philippines and afterward in Japan. Except for God's protection I would not be here today.

My older brother served in Vietnam, in the same manner. He however, did get injured when the jeep he was riding in hit a big bump and the surgical scissors in his back pocket were impaled into his rear end. Otherwise, he also received perfect protection.

I believe the individual must have a deep faith and conviction to pursue these paths, otherwise you better have the weapons. I believe there is a difference between murder and service to preserve one's country.

Crakjak,

I might add also that Dad came home, raised a small army himself. He

and Mom raised a family of eleven children (Seven sons and four daughters)

and founded a work for God the same year our youngest sibling was born.

He pastored this work for over thirty years before God took him home 17

yrs. ago. Mom followed ten years later. We eleven siblings remain as a

testimony to a just man and his wife whose spirits have been made perfect.

Dad's faith wasn't only in the army. He and Mom trusted God for just about

everything. And God certainly honored their faith in many ways. I thank

God for allowing us to be raised in this God-fearing, God-loving home.

Blessings,

Falla39

[jwharv]

Where is Bro Strange when you need him...................