---

Pro-War Christians Should Come Clean
Leading up to the war in Iraq, evangelical Christians became perhaps the most enthusiastic advocates of imperium. Though politicians have often abused "Just War theory," it is still an integral part of Christian ethics when examining issues of war and peace. Thus, one must ask, was the Iraq war "just" based on the criteria of historic Just War theory?

Lets look at a sampling of comments proffered by Evangelical leaders leading up to the war.

Henry Blackaby told Agape Press, "those who oppose the war to liberate Iraq need to read God's Word." Blackaby said, "There is no question that the current war to liberate Iraq is a 'just' war – according to biblical standards." Blackaby went on to say that those who stand in opposition to the president were courting the very judgment of God.

Writing in defense of preemptive military strikes in Christianity Today, Chuck Colson argued for a less restrictive understanding of Just War theory in the face of the terrorist threat. Remarkably, Colson writes that, "out of love of neighbor, then, Christians can and should support a preemptive strike" when an attack is imminent. Try not to snicker, but Colson also wrote the following:

"Of course, all of this presupposes solid intelligence and the goodwill of U.S. and Western leaders. I find it hard to believe that any president, aware of the awesome consequences of his decision and of the swiftness of second-guessing in a liberal democracy, would act recklessly."

Now then, I love Colson, but given that he believes in the total depravity of man and considering that he did time in the pokey for doing Nixon's dirty work, wouldn't you think he might be a bit more circumspect about executive branch power, and the abuse thereof? ...

... In a sermon at his Atlanta church, Charles Stanley defended the "war on terror." Stanley said that, "Throughout Scripture there is evidence that God favors war for divine reasons and sometimes uses it to accomplish His will. He has also given governments and their citizens very specific responsibilities in regards to this matter."

Naturally, Stanley did not try to justify this particular war and again directed his listeners to Romans 13 and demanded they be good boys and girls. He asks, "How can we justify the protests and marches against war? I understand that, in America, for example, we have a right to express our different opinions. However, there comes a time when our personal opinion is not a priority. The only reason we have the freedom to protest in this country is because thousands were willing to die for that liberty in the past." Rather than relying on Scripture, Stanley resorts to vulgar patriotism here. ...