The following excerpt has been edited and reformatted from lesson 4 of the new Men’s Bible Study from RBP, A Man and His Country by Allen Ferry. For ordering information, see the bottom of page 6.
A Man and His Country Lesson 4: Should a Christian Go to War? Preface I wrote most of this book while deployed with the 42nd Infantry Division, United States Army, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I was over six thousand miles from home and family. Why was I there? Patriotism! Yes, I love my country, and I have personal convictions regarding my responsibilities as a citizen. As men, we must shoulder our citizenship responsibilities. My hope is that as you progress through this study, the Word of God will stir your heart and you will develop Biblical discernment to enable you to differentiate good practices from unbiblical ones that will diminish your testimony for Christ. The Word of God speaks clearly. So let’s get started. Pro Deo et Patria! For God and Country! *** Before the Declaration of Independence was written, Americans were fighting for freedom. They were not soldiers by trade, but to protect their homes, they became “Minutemen,” ordinary colonists who could be called upon at a minute’s notice. The spirit that compelled those settlers to become “citizen-soldiers” has become an American heritage. American citizen-soldiers were the backbone of the fight for independence at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. They scaled the cliffs of Normandy, France, penetrated the jungles of Vietnam, and are now enduring the rocky terrain of Afghanistan and the heat of Iraq. Today, patriotic Americans volunteer to join the military—ordinary citizens who, like their forefathers, are prepared to keep their nation free. Should you participate? Here are seven questions to ask yourself.
Seven Questions #1—Am I a patriot? A patriot stands ready to serve and protect his country. 1. a. How do you describe a patriot? b. Do you consider yourself a patriot? Explain. 2. Do you place high value on the military as an extension of civil government? Why or why not? Jesus had an encounter with a centurion (Luke 7:1–10) and called that soldier a man of great faith.
Notice that the centurion was a generous patron of both Rome and Judah. His Jewish friends said, “He loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” Patriotism and personal faith are not exclusive. In addition to recording incidents that commend soldiers, the Bible uses military metaphors to illustrate the life-and-death struggle against spiritual enemies. 3. What did Paul call Epaphroditus and Archippus (Philippians 2:25; Philemon 2)? Fellow soldiers have carried the same gear, breathed the same foul air, seen the same wounded bodies, and buried the same buddies. Fellow soldiers—in a physical battle or a spiritual one—know how to depend on one another.
#2—Do I respect soldiers? The apostle Paul validated and elevated the profession of soldiering as he challenged Timothy, his ministry protégé, to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). By this analogy Paul taught that a good minister must be like a good soldier. The implication is twofold: a good soldier is an example to follow, and hardship is expected.
#3—Do I have the qualities of a good soldier? Good soldiers are serious. Veterans know that each generation depends on the previous generation. Paul depended on Timothy to take responsibility for the next generation of Christians (2 Timothy 2:1, 2). The result of our Christian mission will impact generations to follow. Likewise, can our country’s next generation depend on us to maintain their freedom? 4. a. Humanly speaking, does the battle against evil ever end? Explain. b. Can any generation afford to cease vigilance? Explain. 5. Do adults have the responsibility to protect their families? Or does the responsibility belong to someone else? According to 1 Timothy 5:8, whose responsibility is it to provide for a man’s household? Good soldiers are objective. The U.S. military, for example,
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JULY 2007