November 11th Christian attitudes to Conflict

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November 11thChristian attitudes to Conflict
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A Century of conflict

• Stretcher Bearers at Pilkelm Ridge,
  Passchendaele, 1917

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D-Day landings, June 6th 1944
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Auschwitz
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Mushroom Cloud over Hiroshima
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Communism
The Berlin Wall
The Gulag
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9/11 and Abu Ghraib
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Iraq and Afghanistan
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Never Again?

• Lions led by Donkeys?
• Pointless slaughter?

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To remember those who died for our freedom?

• This was their finest hour - Churchill

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A Vision of Peace

• Every man will sit under his own vine and under
  his own fig tree, and no one will make them
  afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.

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Isaiah Chapter 9

• And he will be called Prince of Peace.
• Of the increase of his government and peace
  there will be no end

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Just War? Romans 13

• Everyone must submit himself to the governing
  authorities, for there is no authority except
  that which God has established. For he the
  authority is Gods servant to do you good. But
  if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear
  the sword for nothing.

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What makes a just war?

• For a just cause
• Fought in a reasonable hope of success
• Civilians should have immunity
• Destruction should be proportionate

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What should Christians do?

• Pray
• Work for understanding
• Show practical compassion
• Oppose evil

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A vision of peace

• They will beat their swords into ploughshares and
  their spears into pruning hooks.
• Nation shall not take up war against nation, nor
  will they train for war any more
• Micah Ch 4, verse 3