Ethics - War, Peace And Justice Flashcards
JOSHUA 8:1 – ‘then the Lord said to Joshua, do not be afraid, take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hands the king of Ai, his city and his land.’
Violence is sometimes acceptable if it is used in self-defence or as a last resort to achieve peace.
JOEL 3:9 – ‘Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war, rouse the warriors, let the fighting men draw near and attack’
There are many examples in the Bible where violence is allowed and even promoted.
Exodus 20 - 10 Commandments: ‘DO NOT MURDER’
Some may argue that killing in a war is not murder.
OT - MICAH says, ‘Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore’
This suggests that there will be a time where there is no more need for fighting - world peace
In the NT, Jesus used violence to turn over the tables of traders in the temple who he thought should not be making money in the Lord’s house.
Christians can use violence to fight for they think is right, may be interpreted differently - Hitler was a Christian
Matthew: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven’
Do not fight or make war with anyone so that everyone can get to heaven.
Matthew: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God’
Those who try for peace will be rewarded after they die.
‘If any of you are without sin, let him be the first to cast the stone’ - Jesus
Everyone makes mistakes, so long as they are truly sorry and repent, there is a chance that they will be forgiven by God.
OT - ‘whoever kills a man shall be put to death’
Capital punishment is permitted in the Old Testament
The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Good Samaritan was the only one who helped the man beaten up by robbers and so he earned a place in heaven.
“An eye for an eye”
If you kill someone, you should also be put to death as revenge.
‘Those who draw the sword shall die by the sword’ - Jesus
If you fight in a war and you die, the only one to blame for your death is you.
Exodus: ‘thou shall not kill’
God said this to Moses, even though the Old Testament is full of examples of God justifying killing.
‘Turn the other cheek’ - Jesus
Even if someone wrongs you, they should be forgiven rather than punished, as God will judge them himself on Judgement Day.
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ - Luke 6:31
Treat people as you would like to be treated yourself.
