Center for Creative Ministry A research organization and research center for Seventh-day Adventist pastors and their congregations
The Conflict Behind All Conflicts
The Just War Theory is a tradition of military ethics, designed to guide the principal actors in any military conflict in determining if, when, and how to conduct warfare.
The first criterion considered is to establish if a nation has the right to go to war. It includes these four items:
Item #1: Is the war declared by a duly constituted public authority?
Item #2: Is there a reasonable probability of success?
Item #3: Is war a last resort, after all other options are exhausted?
And item #4: Is there a just cause (e.g. to protect or preserve lives)?
The 1989 invasion of Panama was marketed as “Operation Just Cause” with the Just War Theory in mind.
The next consideration concerns how the war is conducted. Warfare must be targeted toward enemy combatants, not innocent civilians. Direct harm to civilians and property must not be excessive, but rather proportional to the military objective. There must be fair treatment of prisoners of war. And, no terrorizing civilian populations or using weapons whose effects cannot be controlled, such as chemical warfare.
Unfortunately, very few, if any, combatants today even consider Just War Doctrine. One reason for this is outlined by Robbie Hughes, Deputy Editor in Chief at the Diplomacy Journal. Hughes says that oftentimes state actors engage in warfare with non-state actors. “Nowhere is this more evident than in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas,” reports Hughes. “The shifting boundaries between military and civilian targets, the asymmetry of power, and the question of proportionality complicate the ethical guidelines that have traditionally governed war.”
“This moral dilemma is not confined to Israel,” continues Hughes. “The global rise of terrorism has placed non-state actors at the forefront of international conflict, forcing states to grapple with their ambiguous, ever evolving tactics. The U.S. interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan faced similar challenges, as insurgents blended into civilian populations. The War on Terror was waged on an idea–terrorism–not a state.”
Hughes concludes with this challenge to warring combatants today: “If we are to preserve any semblance of justice in this new era, we must acknowledge that the battlefield has changed, and so too must our thinking.”
Some suggest adding a third consideration to Just War Theory—the victors must develop plans to rebuild devastated communities at the conclusion of military conflicts. God even provides for that consideration by promising us “a new heaven and a new earth” in Revelation 21:1.
But the rebuilding of devastated communities didn’t always happen in the stories of the Bible. And many times the Israelites can seem cruel to their non-Hebrew neighbors; it’s easy to question the Israelites’ invasion of Canaan. In response, we can apply the Just War Doctrine criterion. Did they really have the right to invade this sovereign nation? What made this poorly-armed rabble think they had any chance of success? On the surface, it seems there is no just cause for this incursion, as Israel’s invasion of Canaan appears to be an unjustified land grab.
Behind the scenes, however, people of faith can see the bigger picture: God’s hand at work.
We can even see the four items come into play.
Item #1: God, as Creator of heaven and earth, is the duly constituted sovereign of the universe and does have the right to declare war.
Item #2: Since God is omnipotent, we should expect a 100% success rate in such cosmic conflicts.
Item #3: We understand the phrase “their cup of iniquity was full” [1] to mean that God gave the Canaanites every opportunity to repent of their crimes.
And item #4: Since the peace and harmony of the entire universe is at stake, there is a just cause for God to wage this war.
This cosmic conflict began in heaven, long before Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River, and will continue until God wipes every tear from our eyes in the kingdom (Revelation 21:4). We, as the foot soldiers in the great controversy between Christ and Satan, are called to faithfully follow our Commander until that day, when God will restore peace and justice to the universe.
The Just War Theory provides more evidence that our God is a God of both love, and justice.
For Reflection
Connecting: Have you, or someone you know, experienced combat first-hand? How do you think warfare affects a person emotionally, relationally, and spiritually?
Sharing: This world is a mess because of the war that began in heaven, as described in Revelation 12:7-9. Why do you think God shifted the battlefield from heaven to earth?
- God needed to contain the infestation of evil before it spread further
- God never intended for the battle to go on as long as it has—it should have ended at the tree in the garden, had Adam and Eve obeyed God
- Because of NIMBY—why keep the battle in heaven if you don’t have to?
- It was the best way to remove Satan from heaven without destroying him outright
- No matter the reason, Revelation 12:12 is sadly accurate: “Rejoice you heavens, but woe to the earth!”
- Other:
Applying: We, as Seventh-day Adventists, have traditionally advocated for non-combatant roles for our members who serve in the military. Is that position still viable? How would you advise a young person considering military service? What resources are you aware of to support them, no matter what decision they make?
Valuing: When hard times come to you—illness, hunger, interpersonal conflicts, etc.—do you always recognize that this is your life’s lot in the great cosmic conflict? Do you sometimes blame God for your struggles? How can you keep the big picture in mind during these times?
~ Chuck Burkeen
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