VETERAN'S DAY IN THE U.S.A.

Following World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as Armistice Day.  On June 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower officially changed Armistice Day to Veterans Day in order to celebrate every American soldier, whether on active duty, discharged, retired, living or deceased.  Currently, Americans commemorate this day with official ceremonies, the laying of memorial wreaths, speeches, parades and religious services.

As a veteran of the United States Army, it certainly pleases me that our nation reserves special tributes and ascribes high honors to those who have served in our armed forces, many of whom have surrendered their lives in the process, the ultimate sacrifice.

Nevertheless, even though I am an Army veteran, I remain profoundly ambivalent regarding my feelings about our national involvements in war, itself. 

With respect to the believer’s mandated response to violence, the teachings of Jesus are challenging, to say the least.  Consider Christ’s words.

Matthew 5:38-39

³⁸ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

³⁹ But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

An important question is begged, in connection with this scripture:

Does The Holy Bible promote or mandate absolute pacifism? 

According to Dictionary.com, pacifism is 1) opposition to war or violence of any kind; 2) refusal to engage in military activity because of one’s principles or beliefs; or 3) the principle or policy that all differences among nations should be adjusted without recourse to war.

To wit, if Christianity does demand pacifism, ‘What should be our personal response to home invaders who threaten the security and safety of our families?’  A logical extension of that same thought is ‘What should be our nation’s response to invading enemies who threaten the security and safety of our government and citizens?

Please note that my ambivalence concerning warfare is directly related to the underlying reasons and motives for military actions.  Recent history reveals a global tendency to resort to warfare for economic or abstract reasons, i.e. the acquisition or the security of non-renewable commodities (such as oil) or the ideologues’ requirements for certain nations to adhere to other nations’ governmental systems, standards or norms.

I am not naïve.  Clearly, warfare will persist on Planet Earth until the return of the Prince of Peace who “shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)  The second coming of Jesus Christ will radically transform our world and world system.

For now, however, there are times when evil must be directly confronted.  Augustine and Aquinas fostered the concept of a just war.  Augustine’s scriptural basis was the writings of the Apostle Paul, which suggest that it is entirely ‘Christian’ to enforce law and security via “the sword.”  The Apostle Paul describes such a person as “the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Romans 13:4)  Augustine held that failure to defend one’s nation or one’s self in the face of any attack that could only be stopped by violence would be a reckless sin, in and of itself.

Thomas Aquinas taught that a just war can only be waged by proper authorities, such as state or nation.  Secondly, it must occur for good and just purposes, as opposed to sheer power or self-gain.  Thirdly, its ultimate goal must be a return to peace for all parties.  Israel’s right to defend itself from nations who overtly threaten its extinction would be an example of a just war.

Throughout world history, colonial empires had as their primary motivation the acquisition of lands, human resources, and/or precious gems and metals.  These empires sought global domination fueled by ambition, power or greed.  Contemporary nations are not nearly as ‘naked’ in their imperial pursuits.  Question: Are we acting in just ways as proper citizens of the world community (or) are our actions merely extensions of nation-building or empire-building? 

It is not the intent of this devotional to deflate or elevate any political party or nation.  However, it is the responsibility of every American (and certainly every Christian) to critically examine our policies and our politics to assure that they are in alignment with the global good, and ultimately with the will of the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Happy Veterans Day to every current and former service person!  Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!