Describe Christian attitudes towards war (6)
Christians may feel uncomfortable with the idea of war because although the Bible teaches war is
unacceptable, it may be necessary as the greater of two evils. Psalms 82:3 “Defend the weak and the
fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” outlines that it is our duty as
representatives of God’s kingdom to ensure that all people have the opportunity to receive God’s
grace and love through Jesus-reflecting actions. Catholics believe that the use of wars in order to
combat acts of terrorism fulfils the requirement of a just reason for war, protecting others, in the Jus
ad Bellum, making it controversially acceptable. This demonstrates Jesus’ teaching to actively
exercise our faith by upholding God’s justice which may take the form of Christians participating in
the army. As a result, Christians today may not support the decision to go to war but acknowledge
that it is an attempt to maintain the freedom and dignity of the people.
Christians may also feel a responsibility towards preventing wars through prayer. Matthew 5 “Pray
for your enemies and those who persecute you” outlines that it is one’s choice to unconditionally
love others, regardless of their wrongdoings. This is reflected through dedicated prayers such as
rosaries that Christians may offer to ask for God’s intercession towards the decisions made by
political leaders both of their country and rival countries. In addition, these prayers may include
forgiveness towards past leaders who have encouraged war as Christians believe that it is one’s right
to have the opportunity to receive God’s grace as all of mankind is sinful. Through these prayers,
Christians amend their relationship with God and seek refuge in God’s strength to prevent future
wars. Therefore, Christians today may feel responsible for modern wars due to their lack of discipline
and demonstrated love through prayer.
Finally, Anglicans may feel regretful with the idea of war as it implies that peaceful methods such as
negotiations have failed. Matthew 21 “My house… called a house of prayer but you are making it a
den of robbers” outlines that anger or lack of kindness may be a righteous response towards global
suffering. According to the Jus ad Bellum, one requirement states that war is only applicable as a last
resort. On one hand, Christians may feel regretful at their lack of ability to prevent war, however,
others argue that this is God’s way of fighting for the justice of His people against evil and God’s way
to show His unwavering love and compassion towards us which may have been an inevitable
outcome. This may reassure Christians that war is not a result of man’s incompetence but part of
God’s wider plan to ensure a better future for all, mirroring Noah’s Ark. Consequently, Christians
today may regret their weakness in carrying out God’s will but will trust in God’s decision and anchor
themselves to God’s plan throughout this period of unrest.
Christians may feel uncomfortable with the idea of war because although the Bible teaches war is
unacceptable, it may be necessary as the greater of two evils. Psalms 82:3 “Defend the weak and the
fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” outlines that it is our duty as
representatives of God’s kingdom to ensure that all people have the opportunity to receive God’s
grace and love through Jesus-reflecting actions. Catholics believe that the use of wars in order to
combat acts of terrorism fulfils the requirement of a just reason for war, protecting others, in the Jus
ad Bellum, making it controversially acceptable. This demonstrates Jesus’ teaching to actively
exercise our faith by upholding God’s justice which may take the form of Christians participating in
the army. As a result, Christians today may not support the decision to go to war but acknowledge
that it is an attempt to maintain the freedom and dignity of the people.
Christians may also feel a responsibility towards preventing wars through prayer. Matthew 5 “Pray
for your enemies and those who persecute you” outlines that it is one’s choice to unconditionally
love others, regardless of their wrongdoings. This is reflected through dedicated prayers such as
rosaries that Christians may offer to ask for God’s intercession towards the decisions made by
political leaders both of their country and rival countries. In addition, these prayers may include
forgiveness towards past leaders who have encouraged war as Christians believe that it is one’s right
to have the opportunity to receive God’s grace as all of mankind is sinful. Through these prayers,
Christians amend their relationship with God and seek refuge in God’s strength to prevent future
wars. Therefore, Christians today may feel responsible for modern wars due to their lack of discipline
and demonstrated love through prayer.
Finally, Anglicans may feel regretful with the idea of war as it implies that peaceful methods such as
negotiations have failed. Matthew 21 “My house… called a house of prayer but you are making it a
den of robbers” outlines that anger or lack of kindness may be a righteous response towards global
suffering. According to the Jus ad Bellum, one requirement states that war is only applicable as a last
resort. On one hand, Christians may feel regretful at their lack of ability to prevent war, however,
others argue that this is God’s way of fighting for the justice of His people against evil and God’s way
to show His unwavering love and compassion towards us which may have been an inevitable
outcome. This may reassure Christians that war is not a result of man’s incompetence but part of
God’s wider plan to ensure a better future for all, mirroring Noah’s Ark. Consequently, Christians
today may regret their weakness in carrying out God’s will but will trust in God’s decision and anchor
themselves to God’s plan throughout this period of unrest.
