Ten months home from deployment, I was asked to give a presentation to a group of students. The topic was to cover my involvement during the war in Afghanistan. In preparation for my lecture, the students had sent me a number of questions that they hoped to have answered. One of the questions had to deal with religion and the justification of war. It was a topic that I had not actively thought about since my return to the United States.
I knew that there had to be something in the Bible to answer this question. Time and time again I was steered by readings and theology to Romans 13:1: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
From my own personal moral convictions and my rather rudimentary study of the scripture, I was able to come to a “Just War Theory” that was reminiscent of the works of Calvin and Locke.
Both in theory and in historical statement, then, the key thesis of the just war theory is that on the basis both of Scripture and natural law, government (and only government) has the right to use armed force, and then only in the defense of peace and justice and with severe limitations on both the ends and the means adopted. In as much as Christians participate in government and serve as government’s official agents, then, they may however regretfully and with however much moral caution fight.{2}
I thank you that those in authority are servants of your kingdom, Lord, whether or not they know you. Please cause them to do what is right and what will bring glory to your name.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong…. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.” (Romans 13:1–5)