Should Christians Go To War?: For

Question 1

What are four points?

Answer 1

It is a necessary evil (The Just War Theory)
Jesus shows that Christians should stand up for what they believe in (e.g. The Cleansing of the Temple)
St Paul states that Christians should follow a governing authority’s orders
Examples of Christians who have felt it necessary to fight e.g. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Question 2

It is a necessary evil. The Just War Theory

Answer 2

All Christians are against the idea of war. However, some Christians accept that sometimes it is necessary and acceptable under certain conditions
These conditions are set in the Just War Theory, such as having a Just Cause and War being a Last Resort
Sometimes violence may be necessary

Question 3

Jesus shows that Christians should stand up for what they believe in (e.g. The Cleansing of the Temple)

Answer 3

Jesus showed he was willing to fight when he overturned the tables in the temple
Christians should follow the example of Jesus

Question 4

St Paul states that Christians should follow a governing authority’s orders

Answer 4

“Everyone must obey the state’s authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God.” (Romans 3:1)
If the government goes to war then Christians should obey the law
The state is acting as an agent of God and on his authority, so it must be permissible

Question 5

Examples of Christians who have felt it necessary to fight e.g. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Answer 5

“The failure to act is simply to condone evil.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Lutheran pastor who abandoned his pacifist mindset which was taught by Jesus to fight against Hitler