The War on Terror for this Seminarian

Not so long ago, I was asked a question that I had hoped to avoid. Sometimes being known as a seminarian is not exactly what I thought would be. It all started when one of my best friends, who is a fairly recent convert to Christianity, asked me why I had abandoned my support of Mike Huckabee. I commented that my doubts had begun when he announced that he wanted to close Guantanamo. Then came the question: "How can you, as a Christian, support this war and a place like Guantanamo?"

Then I saw a guy named Hal on the comment spots on here today. He was asking what Jesus would do about all of this. These two topics are closely linked. So now I guess, having mulled this over for a while, I think that I have an answer, but not an easy one.

I am convinced that Mike Huckabee is right in one regard: This is a theological issue. How one views religion will lay the groundwork as to how one builds one's own stance on the war and terrorism. If one accepts that we are infidels for our majority's rejection of Mohammed's claim to be God's only prophet -- which is generally the view among the Islamic terrorists -- then we deserve this treatment. Besides, if they die in this jihad of the all-out slaughter of non-believers, they are guaranteed a spot in the Muslim version of Heaven. This is not only their duty, but it is also their inextinguishable zeal to give their all for the cause.

How Christians (even the sociological "Christians" who have never had a personal experience with Jesus) view their religion, and Christ in particular, will shade their respective views of the war. If one sees Jesus as primarily a peacemaker, then it follows that this one would proclaim that we should bring all of our forces home now. This is particularly true if He is not seen as divine. If one is of the opinion that Jesus would approach the terrorists as He did the moneychangers in the temple, then we should go over there, Ann Coulter-style: " We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity... That's war. And this is war."

(Source: http://www.nationalreview.com/coulter/coulter.shtml "This is War" Sept. 13, 2001)

Admittedly, I am much closer to Miss Coulter's position, so that may color my attitude here. But here is my stance on the war from a Biblical stance: Since I believe that Christ was indeed God, His perfect love and His perfect justice must both be satisfied. His justice is always tempered with His mercy. Yes, He would stop the violence, but I do believe that He would keep the unrepentant in a place where they could do no more harm. And remember that He did have people reject Him: the rich, young ruler who could not give up his possessions (Mark 10:17-22), the crowd at the synagogue when He read from the book of Isaiah (Luke 4:16-22), and , of course, Judas Iscariot. Can I support the war as a Christian? Yes. Can I support our country having a place like Guantanamo? Absolutely. We confine our sworn enemies for the same reason that we confine rabid dogs: for the public good. And not just our public, either. The world as a whole is safer because Guantanamo exists. I am opposed to torture, but if it saves American lives, it should be an option for those of higher ranks whom we detain.

Of course, Jesus would never have been in the position that our President finds himself. That's because He was neither a military nor a political leader and He had perfect knowledge. He was the propitiation for the sins of the world (I John 2:2). We will never know what He would have done, though He could have called legions of angels to enforce His will had He so wanted. But He didn't. I am first a follower of Christ. Then I am an American citizen. There is very rarely any conflict between them. Should there ever be, I must choose my Lord over my political leaders, or anyone else for that matter. Lastly, I am a conservative out of my moral stances on several issues and my beliefs in small government (on all levels) and in a strong military as well. Reagan was right on so many points, but the one we need the most right now is "peace through strength." The Great Communicator was himself a Christian. Let us now recall and appreciate his wisdom in this powerful quote:

"They tell us that by avoiding a direct confrontation with the enemy he will learn to love us and give up his evil ways. All who oppose this idea are blanket indicted as war-mongers. Well, let us set one thing straight, there is no argument with regard to peace and war. It is cheap demagoguery to suggest that anyone would want to send other people’s sons to war. The only argument is with regard to the best way to avoid war. There is only one sure way –- surrender."
- Ronald Reagan, 1964

"Replace the Soviet enemy of the Cold War with the Islamo-fascist enemies of today, and his words still strike a chord."

(Source: Fraley, Is the Reagan Philosophy Dead? http://www.dailytakes.com/?p=1148)

Perhaps Mr. Huckabee could use a refresher course on conservatism.