Making sense of how Christians differ on military intervention.

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Overview

We may feel that God is on our side in military conflicts, but that view is difficult—if not impossible—to substantiate from the Bible. If that’s so, why do so many Christians support war efforts? On what do they base their beliefs? In this study, we’ll explore five possible responses to war and some biblical texts that seem to support two opposite conclusions. How should we react to military intervention?

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 14:13; Isaiah 10:1–11; Amos 5:24; Matthew 5:39; 24:4–8; John 14:27; 15:13; 16:33; Romans 12:21; 13:1–5; Colossians 2:15; James 4:1–6

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • Identify the Current Issue

    • Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: Christians have always differed in their approach to war.

—Teaching point two: The changing nature of war may be changing the rationale for waging war.

—Teaching point three:We must work for peace in this world; however, war is inevitable.