The Mind of Christ Versus American Foreign Policy
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It’s quite apparent to me that most conservatives and Republicans have one goal in mind when it comes to the presidential race that will conclude with next year’s election–get Obama out of office. It doesn’t appear to me–for many anyway–the mission goes much deeper than that. I’ve heard it said time and time again our country cannot afford four more years of Obama. Maybe that true, but aren’t there other things to consider?
Keep in mind, I’m not an Obama supporter. This is not by any means an effort to rise to his defense. However, I’m no fan of most of the Republican candidates either. Frankly, outside of rhetoric, I’m failing to understand the difference between most Republicans and Democrats.
Foreign policy is what I have in mind. It’s not the only issue to consider, but it’s a big one for me.
Let me read from an article recently published by Pat Buchanan.
Is a vote for the Republican Party in 2012 a vote for war?
Is a vote for Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich a vote for yet another unfunded war of choice, this time with a nation, Iran, three times as large and populous as Iraq?
Mitt says that if elected he will move carriers into the Persian Gulf and “prepare for war.” Newt is even more hawkish. America should continue “taking out” Iran’s nuclear scientists – i.e., assassinating them – but military action will probably be needed.
Newt is talking up uber-hawk John Bolton for secretary of state.
Rick Santorum has already called for U.S.-Israeli strikes: “Either we’re going to stop them … or take the long term consequences of having a nuclear Iran trying to wipe out the state of Israel.”
I’ve always hesitated to use the term warmonger but I’m beginning to think it fits.
Please understand I am no pacifist and I do believe we have enemies and sometimes war is necessary. But I do not believe in preemptive strikes. I do not believe people or even nations should be punished unless they’ve actually committed a crime.
I am utterly confused and discouraged at the thought of so many Christians who will not only defend but passionately defend any war or foreign policy strategy deemed just by Republican politicians. I am confused because Christians are always fighting to inject biblical teachings into the laws throughout this country. If the Bible teaches it, it should be done, therefore, it should be mandated by law. But it seems the same principle doesn’t apply when it comes to foreign policy.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” He also gave us some pretty clear instructions on how to deal with our enemies. He said, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
I’m being as sincere as I can be here. My heart sinks to hear Christians praise the use of torture. I find it devastating to hear Christians screaming, “Let’s grab some guns, some bombs, or whatever we might need and let’s blow some Islamic dictatorships off the face of the map.” I apologize if I sound cliché, but that doesn’t sound like a Christian-like thing to say.
Let me go back to the article just briefly and cover a few concerns you might have when it comes to the logistics of a potential war in Iran.
As for the United States, the only way we could eliminate Iran’s nuclear program would be days of air and missile strikes.
Iran could retaliate by cutting off oil exports and mining the Strait of Hormuz, tripling the world price of oil, and hurling the European Union and United States into recession.
Iran could also turn Hezbollah loose on Americans in Lebanon and urge Shias to attack U.S. troops, diplomats and civilians in Bahrain, Iraq and Afghanistan, and here in the United States.
No one knows how this would end. A U.S.-Iran war could force us to march to Tehran to remove the Islamic regime and scour that huge country to ensure that it was shorn of weapons of mass destruction – for an Islamic regime that survived a U.S. war would be hellbent on acquiring the bomb to pay us back. Yet, we lack a large enough army to occupy Iran.
And why should thousands more Americans have to die or come home to be fitted for metal limbs so Israel can remain sole proprietor of a nuclear weapon from Morocco to Afghanistan?
And where is the hard evidence Iran is acquiring nukes?
The U.S. intelligence community declared in December 2007, with “high confidence,” that Iran was no longer seeking nuclear weapons. It has never rescinded that declaration.
And there is no conclusive evidence in that media-hyped report last week from the International Atomic Energy Agency that Iran is for certain building nuclear weapons. Indeed, that report was exposed as the work of incompetents within hours.
Paul the apostle wrote that we are to put in us the mind of Christ. He said that Christ made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death.
All I’m really saying here is maybe we need to take an honest look at ourselves. Shouldn’t our Christians beliefs be factored into our foreign policy views? I’m not sure the American flag should ever be raised above the cross, if you know what I mean.
As for the upcoming elections, if you hear me be critical of most of the Republican candidates, this is a large part of why. It’s not the only reason but it’s one of them. I don’t support warmongering, preemptive strikes, indefinite detention of untried persons, the legal use of torture, or the killing of so-called terrorists who have been captured apart from the battle field. You may call me un-American or unpatriotic if you wish, but I have a hard time seeing how the Lord will bless a people who refuse to follow His example.
The real irony in all of this is that we commonly believe we’re fighting for freedom–maybe even fighting for God. But who’s freedom are we fighting for? Ours? I don’t think so. Our freedoms continually slip away as a result of these wars.
“Christian Warmakers | 088 Coffee & Cigarettes” Transcript
Return of the War Party? | Lew Rockwell | November 15, 2011
http://lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan197.html
About The Author
Jeremy Sarber
I'm the pastor of one of the most blessed churches in all the world. I'm married to the most wonderful woman to walk the face of the earth. I'm host of possibly the most unconventional podcast on the Internet. I am thankful because I deserve none of it. Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Email
