Christian Responses to America's war on terror

Jesus taught his diciples to love their enemies. Why then are Christians serving in the military? How is it that they can go to war and kill when the Bible says, "Thou shalt not kill?" -EX 20:13, ASV.

Compiled and written over a span of more than a decade, the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001 and America’s subsequent wars are used as the backdrop for individual essays on Christian conscientious objection to war and a Christian’s relationship to one’s country. Essays, lectures, newspaper articles, personal letters, public protests, and online postings come together on the pages of this book—all for the purpose of considering a subject which is all too often ignored within today’s churches and ecclesias: a Christian’s relationship to the State. The book not only examines the role played by Christians in America’s most recent wars, and past wars, but also considers the proper role of Christians in the realm of politics. The book's title comes from Psalm 51:14 which says, "Deliver me from bloodguiltiness."



Christianity declares that its kingdom is not of this world, yet history is replete with examples of Christians killing to obtain land, secure political power, defend the honor of a monarch, enact a regime change, seek revenge, gain economic advantage, enforce a treaty, and for a multitude of other “worldly” reasons. Yet the incongruity between the teachings of Jesus and the actions of Christians in these areas discredits the Gospel message. By their direct affiliation with the militaries and armies of the world, and their indirect support of national policies and agendas through the ballot box, Christians destroy the only real and meaningful alternative that can be presented to a war-torn world. It is the author’s belief that an unbelieving world will continue to ridicule and reject as false a religion whose adherents claim to follow a Prince of Peace but who refuse to lay down the sword and scepter.