22) On War and Peace

I always found the idea of peace interesting, to say the least. On its own, it is a perfectly good idea. However, when it spawns rebels and popular slogans, its value to the Christian ought to be questioned. “Give peace a chance!” Scream posters, remnants of the hippie movement. This idea of no war is not a bad one, but due to mans fallenness, war is necessary. Peace is fine, but the goal to be pursued is the life eternal of man, not life temporal. Even the Bible never attacks the notion of war and destruction. The Israelites waged several holy wars against surrounding tribes, and they were led by God. Even the phrase “love your enemies” does not say that one ought not to have enemies. As Christians, our enemies are those who would suppose that Christ never rose again. This does not mean that we should never speak to those who suppose this. Peace is biblical, as is war. What matters the most, though, are the spiritual battles for the souls of men.