A JUST WAR?
We are eyewitnesses to the fulfillment of Christ’s
end-time prophecy issued in The Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24),
that the last days would be characterized by “wars and rumors of wars.” Mortal conflict reflects the sordid history
of our collective rebellion against God and man’s inhumanity to man. Our collective costs, in terms of both human
and economic capital, are staggering indeed.
A group of academics and historians compiled the
following information: Since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 years of
peace! During this period there have
been 14,351 wars (large and small) in which 3.64 billion people have been
killed. The value of the property
destroyed and money spent is equal to a golden belt around the world 97 miles
wide and 33 feet thick. Since 650 B.C.,
there have also been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which have not ended in war. The remainder were the beginning or ending of
the economic collapse of the nations involved.
In the 13th century, St. Thomas Aquinas penned
the “just war” theology that attempts to reconcile three things: that taking
human life is wrong, that nations have a duty to defend their citizens and
justice, and that protecting life and moral values sometimes requires force.
The modern-day definition of a just war has evolved to
include the following: The war must be for a just cause. It must be lawfully declared by a lawful
authority. The intention behind the war
must be good. All other ways of
resolving the problem should have been tried first. There is a reasonable chance of success. The means used must be in proportion to the
ends that the war seeks to achieve.
Using these criteria, are the wars we typically wage or
support just? Think. You decide.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and
please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
No comments:
Post a Comment