Chapter 5: Foreign Policy and War

I think it is safe to say that no one thought foreign policy would be an issue this election.  We are out of Iraq, the plan is being followed through to withdraw from Afghanistan, and outside of that, Americans just don't care about anything foreign at near the same level as we worry about the economy.

Then there was September 11 and Libya.

And suddenly, people were paying attention to a (not-so) little operation called Fast and The Furious as well.  Sure, it had been floating around for a while, but not really in the news.

It seemed the more the stories unfolded, the more questions arose.

So, now people are asking the question of which candidate is better than the other on foreign policy.

And I am asking the question of how does a Christian look at foreign policy?

It's hard to determine.

Foreign Policy
Arguably, the most "foreign policy" gets covered in the Bible is in the Old Testament.  That policy looks almost like a "scorched earth" approach that is not exactly copacetic with Jesus more recent teachings.  It's basically kill any nation that worships another god.  It sounds harsh to us today, but remember, God speaks to us where we are.  The people then equated the power of their god with the success of their army.  Your army wins, your god is bigger.  So, God spoke their language, as barbaric as it seems to us.

For we Christians today, I think that is a good policy for us, too.   Not the "scorched earth" thing, but the "speak their language" thing.  We need to try to understand cultures that differ from us.  Missionaries do it all the time- immersing in a culture to "Be all things to all people."  I argue for diplomacy, for talking things out with other nations.  For trying to understand where they are coming from by "walking in their shoes."

But as Christians, we can never compromise what we believe in Christ.  Notice I said, as Christians- for America is NOT a Christian nation.  Yes, there are many Christians.  Yes, historically we are founded on many Judeo-Christian themes.  But our government is atheistic- because it is not a theocracy.  America's government's god is freedom- as it should be.  Because it is a nation, not a human.

But the principle of "love your neighbor" still applies.  America should be concerned about taking care of other nations- we should shed tears at the genocide in Darfur, we should be concerned about nuclear proliferation, we should speak out against governments that seek to halt freedom.  But should we send tax-payer money to these nations?

It's not unlike welfare, except that these are nations that are often given to corruption, so the money probably never gets to those who need it.  So, if the government gives aid, I propose it goes to American organizations who are going over to help.

And I propose we as individuals adopt our own "foreign policy" and look for ways to help ourselves.

Now, when there are issues of commerce- for example China's sketchy economic practices- yes, the government should step in.

And heaven forbid the call rise for war- what should we as Christians do?

(And as far as Libya and the Fast and the Furious go- I feel (personally) that there is a need for answers.  I know there are investigations ongoing, but there needs to be answers as to why one narrative was clung to about a video for two weeks despite the mounting evidence that there was at the time abundant evidence to the contrary.  As for the Fast and the Furious, why are there roadblocks to getting all the information about a government action that lead to our guns being used to murder a border agent and dozens of teenagers at a party- just to name a few.)

War

³⁶ He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. ³⁷ It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’^[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.”

³⁸ The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”

“That’s enough!” he replied.---Luke 22:36-38
If you read only the Old Testament, war is condoned.  If you read only the New Testament, you get this passage and "turn the other cheek."

So, are we for or against war?

Yes.

Yes, we are against war.  We want peace- swords into plowshares and all that jazz.  We want everyone to get along, we are called to be peacemakers.  To exhaust every effort to live at peace, as much as it is up to you.

But if war finds you, if it threatens your home, if it threatens the peace of others, I believe we are for fighting back.

We can never be war-mongers.  Never choose war as a first choice- it must be last.  And even then, it is a personal decision of whether you fight or not.  I must say, I think this verse can apply here:Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.-  John 15:13
Be prepared for, Jesus says about having a sword.  But don't proliferate.  As a Christian, I want a strong military- I want to be safe and I want to be a part of a nation that makes the whole world safer.  Having a potent military doesn't mean we are a bully- it means our threat holds weight.  It means if push comes to shove, we have our sword, and that may be all we need to rescue a nation.

Was it unholy that the Allies liberated Europe and especially the Jews from the Nazis by force?  Was it unholy that Dietrich Boenhoeffer- a follower of Christ- plotted to assassinate Hitler to save millions?

Or is it sometimes worth it to save lives?

I don't know exactly how God looks at war these days.  I definitely don't know what God thought of Boehoeffer's failed plot.

But I know God is a God of grace, and I know God wants people to be free.

Perhaps we can apply that here.