Patriot of an invisible Realm

Newsletters
April 2001

Our Story

Pacifism

Photos

Psalm 23

Salvation

Secret of the Strength

Sermons by Eli Hofer
03/14/01
08/22/01
08/11/02

The Writings of Ulrich Stadler
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4

Things Hutterite

To Vote or not to Vote

Way of the Lord

Which Kingdom?

Patriot of an invisible Realm

Here is a letter that Kevin Brendler wrote in response to an article by a man named Kevin Benderman on the subject of war.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mr. Benderman wrote: “I have come to the conclusion that there are no valid arguments for the destructive force of war. . . . we could, and should, consider better ways to solve our differences with other people in the world.”

Authentic Christians should not use this "we" language when it comes to the State actions of their host countries. The State has every right to engage in a war which it deems to be in its self-defense. The followers of Jesus recognize this God-given right of every State government. We, the followers of Jesus, do not criticize the State for adopting violent means to secure what it feels to be necessary for its own preservation against malignant forces.

What I write here is not to be taken as a justification for the particular military engagements in which the United States is presently occupied. I am only concerned that Mr. Benderman has not rightly grasped the distinctly Christian reason why the followers of Jesus do not take up the carnal weapons of this world and fight. It is NOT because there are no valid arguments for the destructive force of war. Of course there very well may be such legitimate arguments, on occasion, if you are the Secretary of Defense or a State military official of some sort. There are, in fact, some "differences with other people" that a State power can settle in no other way than by violent measures. The followers of Jesus concede that such use of violent force is the State's prerogative and binding upon all those employed by the State as soldiers.

Our complaint is not that the State goes to war, but that the professed followers of Jesus have voluntarily entered the ranks of the soldiery and bound themselves over to State interests. This is the truly inexplicable thing and shocking incongruence. Not that a nation goes to war, but that the professed disciples of Christ are nationalists.

There are plenty of legitimate arguments for the destructive force of war, but none whatsoever for Christian participation in the destruction. Mr. Benderman needs to make these distinctions and present his case for the renunciation of violence with a sharp Christian edge. For though we have repudiated the use of carnal weapons, we are never to relinquish our Sword.

I trust you won't mind too terribly this venting of some emotional energy which Mr. Benderman's piece evoked within me.

Patriot of an invisible Realm,

Kevin Brendler

See Don Murphy's related article
Home

Last updated 03/02/2005