Jus Ad Bellum (Part 4)

As you can probably tell by the title, this is my fourth entry about the Justice of War. The last post primarily dealt with the spheres of authority and how some nations view it as within their realm of authority to exercise control or dominion over other countries. The objection I often get to this is that Saddam was a terrible man, did great evil to his people and meant for great evil in the area and the world. In this post, I would like to offer further clarification of MY OPINION (which I happen to believe is based on scripture)

I liken the above scenario with Saddam to a more domestic situation (and objectors tend to agree with this likening). Lets us suppose my neighbor and his wife have not been getting along. Then let us further suppose that I see bruises on her face someday and she confides to me that she has been beaten by her husband. What moral authority do I have in this situation? Do I have the moral authority to stop it and keep it from happening again? If so, what measures are appropriate? Do I have the moral authority to punish the man?

Scripture clearly teaches that we are to care for the oppressed and to help them and love them. As a neighbor, I have a moral (and probably legal) obligation to see that this situation is rectified, that the woman is protected, the man is punished, and that it the situation does not repeat itself. Justice demands it and justice must be served. BUT, Justice will only be served justly. If I attempt to serve justice in an unjust manner, then justice will be demanded for me.

If I went into the man's house and gave him bruises in the same way and manner he gave them to his wife, that would be clearly wrong. Why? Paul tells us in Romans, that God has given the sword (and perhaps we can also add the whip) not to men as individuals, but to those who govern. The governing authorities must intervene in the lives of their 'subjects' to protect and punish as is their responsibility. God has granted that authority to the state/nation/governor. It is my responsibility to assist them and notify them and even to hold them accountable.

Now, how does this relate to sovereign nation/states? When a dictator or regime or political system of a nation/state commits wrong or evil upon its own citizenry, what is the responsibility of the neighboring states/nations (in our small world, its an easy case to say all nations neighbor each other)? In the domestic situation described in the previous paragraphs, the neighbor had the responsibility to care for the oppressed and assist her in her plight. The neighbor also had the responsibility of entrusting the matter to the governing authorities. So also in this case. The difference, however, is that the governing authority here is the One who is sovereign over all creation, the One who establishes nations and their boundaries and their governing authorities. The neighboring countries must offer shelter to the oppressed and then entrust the matter to the vengeance of God.

Let me conclude with this small note. When the authorities of a sovereign nation commit a crime against another nation or its citizenry, then it is the responsibility of the victimized nation to retaliate and punish and perhaps even conquer the guilty country. The extent of the punishment must be fair and proportional, worth the money and lives/blood spent, and must be carried out by the proper channels of authority. This however is another subject for another time (known as Jus In Bello as opposed to Jus Ad Bellum).

The point of this post, and the previous, was to show from a biblical perspective the unjustness of the current doctrine of foreign policy of the United States, i.e. that of intervening in the internal affairs of other nations. It is not about the justness of the current conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq. We did not go to those countries, as some claim, to settle their own injustices, nor would it be right for us to have done so. Our reason for going to Iraq was altogether different, but I disagree with that reason also and will blog about it another time.

Busy

I've been planning on blogging for quite some time now about several different things and finally have the time and can't remember what i was going to say :S

i guess i'm getting old. I will share some exciting news. The Driscolls are now debt free. I paid off the house Monday! :) Now where going to use all that extra money to fix the house we own.

I am also excited about starting to get back into shape. I went running for the first time in 7 or 8 months yesterday. I believe that to be the longest 'no run' spell of my life. I ran two miles in 14:31. i'm happy with it, but i'm sore today. i over stretched and strained a back muscle. another hint at the old thing.

Also, i should be receiving my new (to me) road bike in the next hour or so. hope to get into shape on that thing as well.

This has been an unusual 2 weeks for me. i met with my dad about two weeks ago and we talked and he gave me this simple little prayer that i believe God has been answering positively in my life. That is, "Jesus, help me to live out the fruit of the Spirit who lives in me with the fruit of 'self'-control. needless to say, its been a much better two weeks as far as my self discipline has gone. i've been reading some history, theology, and/or missiology almost everyday and my prayer time has been more intimate and growing as well.

So that's my life lately. Had a great Good Friday/Easter weekend with my church family and my extended (in-laws) family. Driving track bus often and planning for an olympic themed Camp of the Master this year.

i hope i can blog more later
Micah

The Blah Blog

Yesterday, i got hit with a bug that took me out. today, its still hanging around but i think i got it licked. My wife says she's been feeling some of the effects of this for the past couple of days as well. Enoch has seen the most damage from it, actually loosing his breakfast Tuesday AM. Hopefully we're all finishing up with it now. JT has a wrestling tourney tomorrow and i hope he's well enough to go. He missed the last one because he was sick with a cold and there is only one more yet this year. Soo.... i feel blah, hence the title of this post.

article viii

Article VIII of the EFCA statement of faith states that we believe "that the true Church is composed of all such persons who through faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head. Here is the first draft of my ordination/licensing paper about this point.

The word church has several meanings in the English language. On the other hand, in scripture there is only one meaning, that is ‘called out ones for the purpose of assembling.’ The use of this word sometimes is different in its scope, but not in its meaning. In the larger sense of the word, church refers to the body of believers in Jesus Christ, not subject to a particular location (Matt. 16:18, Acts 9:31, Col. 1:24). The Church consists of all those that are born again (Tit. 3:5), being redeemed of God (Acts 20:28), saved from His wrath by their savior Jesus (Eph. 5:23). The True Church is all believers, everywhere. This understanding has often been called the true Church, the universal Church, the catholic Church, or the worldwide Church.

In scripture, there are several metaphors used to describe The Church, however, two are primary. The first it is the Body of Christ and the second is the Bride of Christ. The Church, as The Body, belongs to the Head, which is Christ. He, Christ, being the Head, has authority and control over the Body, His Church and the Body has its whole being through the Head (Eph. 4:16, 5:23-24). This is also true for The Church as The Bride of Christ. As the husband is the head of the wife, so Christ is the Head of the Church. He loved the Church and gave Himself up for her on the cross. The Church then is subject to Him as a wife is to her husband (Eph. 5:22-32).

The True Church is one with each other and with Christ. He, as the Head, has called us out from the darkness to assemble together in His marvelous light (I Pet. 2:9). The unity of the Church is spiritual (I Pet. 2:5), yet real, and only because of Him. There is only one body, one Spirit and one Lord. He prayed for this (John 17:22) and presumably still does (Rom. 8:34).

The True Church is central to God’s plan. It is the tool by which God has chosen to make known His manifold wisdom to the rulers and authorities of the heavenly realms (Eph. 3:10). It is the pillar and support of truth (I Tim. 3:15). In Colossians one, Paul lists attributes of the supremacy of Jesus Christ. One item in this list is that Jesus is head of the body, the church (Col. 1:18). The Church is the means by which God wants missionaries commissioned (Acts 13:1-14:28), leaders trained (II Tim. 2:2, Tit. 2:1-5), believers encouraged (Heb. 10:25), and instructed in sound doctrine (I Tim. 4:13, Tit. 1:9).

The early church was devoted to the apostles teaching (i.e. the scriptures, both old and new) and to fellowship (the sharing of material things as well as spiritual encouragement), to the breaking of bread (the celebration of the Lord’s Supper) and to prayer (Acts 2:42). The Church is God’s temple (I Cor. 3:16), consisting of individual living stones being built up into a spiritual house (I Pet. 2:5). Jesus said that God’s house should be called a house of prayer (Mark 11:17). As the church is central to God’s plan, prayer, scripture, fellowship and communion must be central to the Church.

Quote on authority

Government Authority Limited by God

"Because all things do not fall under the authority that God gave to government, it has limited powers and cannot interfere with those things which belong to the church, the family or the individual (I would add 'or other nations' here). A candidate who does not understand God's ultimate jurisdiction over government will tend to allow government to infringe upon the realms of the church, the family and even the individual, resulting in tyranny." Judge Roy Moore

Friendship

Recently, actually, just two days ago, i had one of my best friends for the last 9.5 years tell me he was through with me and never wanted to talk to me, see me, or hear from me again. I was completely shocked. I admit, I wasn't a very good friend lately and last time I spoke to him, it was kinda out of turn, but i didn't expect this. I apologized and said i wish i could take it back, but this friend reiterated that we were through.

This got me to thinking. I have had several other friends lose friends like this and now i understand a bit of what they are going through. Hopefully, that person will forgive me someday and we can continue our friendship. Meanwhile, i guess, i'll keep praying for that fried of mine, not so much that we'll be friends again (although i would love that) but that he will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He's a great guy, would give you the shirt of his back a thousand times and he's in a really rough time and place, and i didn't care enough for him during this time. I only occasionally left him notes and never wrote a letter. Not until this happened did i realize my mistake and how hard it was for this person right now. I talked to a family member who explained a lot and made me realize, that part of being a Christian, is not just loving the people in front of you, but also reaching out to those who are far and being disciplined in contacting them regularly. That's probably what the apostle Paul did with Timothy and Titus and in the rest of his letters. He maintained communication and kept encouraging them.

Father, help me to focus on You and not be so self oriented. May I love as You have loved. May the knowledge of Your Son Jesus overcome me and my friends.
Amen

Jus Ad Bellum (Part 3)

This is the third time i have addressed this subject this month I believe. But i have more information or scripture actually that i wish to put forward. You can find my first entry here and my second entry here.

One of the biggest objections I receive, and one of the most common misunderstandings of the doctrine of just war, is the idea of unjust dictators/regimes like Saddam Hussein or President Robert Mugabe or President Omar al-Bashir or Kim Jong-il and what moral responsibility we have as the United States (the most powerful nation on earth) to unseat them or cause regime change. (Notice, I didn't say the 'greatest' nation on earth, although there may be a case to make for this as a separate issue, but the most powerful, which is relatively undisputed).

I finally found some beneficial reading on this subject, not online, however, but on paper of all things, and from a great Bible teacher and scholar of the real sorts, the Rev. Dr. Ron Merryman.

The question about moral responsibility can really be brought back to the question of authority. The question would then be phrased, "Do we, the United States of America, have the authority to say who can govern other nations, what territory those nations can govern, and what system or style of government they can have? Can any nation dictate to any other nation these things?

The history of Israel in the Old Testament gives some background on this. First, we notice that in order for Israel to become a nation, God planned (not just allowed) for them to be subject in Egypt. He then also caused their own destruction by the King of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. One does not have to read too carefully to realize that neither of these rulers where just or righteous, yet God used them to accomplish His purposes. From this we see that unjust rulers have their place, not that they are to be desired or sought after, but rather, God, in His sovereignty, appoints them for certain times, places and peoples to accomplish His purposes (2 Chronicles 36:20-21).

Did Nebuchadnezzar have the authority to take over the nation of Israel? Was his conquering and war with Israel just? The answer is no, but God used him to bring Israel to justice for neglecting the ordinances of God. This is where the real difficulty lies. Was it a just war or not? It brought justice to Israel, but through an unjust ruler/nation.

I believe the solution is fairly simple and easily discernible in scripture. Jesus said in Matthew 28 that all authority had been given to Him. He then delegates certain authorities to certain social spheres. For example, the family has the responsibility/authority for procreation and the up-bringing of children, their social, educational, spiritual, and physical formation. These areas of responsibility are often times usurped or re-delegated but nonetheless, belong to the family. Other areas of where authority is given are the church (I Tim 5:17), the individual (II Peter 1:6), and also the state or civil government (Romans 13).

These social institutions are limited in their authority because Jesus alone has been given all authority. When a nation starts to restrict a family on the education of their children, that nation is over stepping the bounds of its authority and the family can justly disobey (and face the consequences). It is unjust of the one autonomous institution to exercise power over another autonomous institution because by doing so, they are overstepping the bounds of their authority, which was given to them by God and did not originate with them.

An example of this would be if my neighbor came into my home and started saying i had to buy this car, and plant this tree, and paint my house this color, and pray this way. That neighbor is clearly overstepping the bounds of the authority God has given him of his own home by trying to do the same over mine. (One could address the idea of civil codes and laws here but that is not the point of this post). The same principle in the example above can be applied amongst sovereign nations. We as the US can not dictate to other nations their system of government, their boundaries, nor their leaders. We have tried to do this with money, calling it foreign aid, and guns, calling it a peace keeping mission. This is an arrogant position and an attempt at playing the part of God. It is not in our jurisdiction to tell the Iranians what to do and what not to do. We can talk to them. We can encourage them. We can trade with them. But we cannot boss them around like some playground bully and not expect retaliation. {As an aside, this is known in the political world as blowback. (Here is an excellent video describing that idea)}.

i think thats all for now, if anyone reads this and has comments for discussion, please post em.

Jus Ad Bellum (Part 2) - more a rant than thoughtful dialog

Recently I blogged about jus ad bellum here and have continued to read and study the issue, specifically as it relates to the current (beginning 2003)war in Iraq. What I find interesting, or maybe troubling is the comments of several Christians who discussed this very issue but before the invasion. I guess it's not their comments so much as change in their thinking that has happened since that time. For instance, Chuck Colson, wrote that preemptive strikes do meet the requirements of the Christian Just War Doctrine.

It is interesting to note that in Colson's article and in this article there are several assumptions made about Iraq and also several statements beginning with the word if. Now, of course, it has been shown that those assumptions were false and the "ifs," were not met.

Yet, in spite of this, many Christian leaders today still hold that the war was just, However, their reasons for declaring it so are different. Primarily, the cruelty of Saddam Hussein to his own people is laid out as worth the invasion and secondarily, his harsh vocal critiques of the US is also given as a support for the supposed 'justness' of the Iraq war.

The second should be thrown out with the trash because harsh critiques are (probably) never deserving of punishment nor do they constitute any real threat. The first, although grave and terrible, also falls short of meeting any criteria laid out in the doctrine of Just War.

As one evaluates the proponents of this doctrine laid out by Christians before the war began, one finds that today's knowledge and circumstances ALL point to the unjustness of the Iraq war, not one of the criteria for a war to be just was met. In other words, this war has failed to meet the guidelines set ahead of time and as a result, many Christian leaders have changed the guidelines. I find this political pandering to the republican party, distasteful. I am a republican based on principles of limited federal government, individual freedom, states rights, and local control. If republican no longer believe in such things, it is not me who left the party, but, as has been said many times, the party left me.

I've rambled quite a bit. I hope all this makes sense.

You can find several of the proponents of the Just War Doctrine in the articles linked above.

ouch

yesterday was one crazy day. We had to wake up early and leave for Fargo to get fingerprinted for the adoption. We tried to leave at 6:30 but didn't get out of town till just after 7. and that with a low tire. i had tried to air it up at the gas station but their air chuck was frozen. We drove to the next town and they didn't have air so we drove another 30 miles on a very low tire. tried to air my tire up in glenwood and their air chuck was frozen so all i did was let still more air out of my tire. i forgot to say it was 25 below our with a slight wind chill. I decided that we couldn't leave glenwood with that little air pressure so we drove to yet another gas station as found one more frozen air chuck. however, they nice lady working there directed us to a tire shop about 3 blocks away and they served us up right. Finally on our way. NOPE, by this time Karna was car sick so we had to sit on the side of the road for a bit so she could recover and not loose what little she had already eaten. Once we got going, the rest of that trip was fine, actually good, met a bosnian family working on LEGAL immigration and got to take shelly J out for lunch. then the 3.5 hour drive home, if you include my little cat nap on the side of the road.

now for the really painful part. trying to get the fire going when we got home, i had a heavy log spring loose and roll over on my thumb, momentarily trapping it against the side of the steel furnace door (not hot yet) and creating a 1/2 dime size blood blister under my thumb nail. Then we went to youth group and i left right a way for a serious head on car accident about a block or two away. One fellow was trapped in his pickup and not doing well at all while the other driver was suffering from painful but minor injuries. After that, i got back in time to say good bye to the youth group kids as they went home, and i was starting to get sick from being out side with out a hat.

so anyway, where your seat belt!

Burr...

It's cold outside. 13 below with winds at 23 mph for a feels like -41 F. Ouch. and tomorrow my family and i are to drive off at 6:30 AM for the north (Fargo) to get fingerprinted. I really hope my van starts.