Christian prayer for violence against our enemy in US war with Iran

Hegseth, US Defense Secretary, frequently invokes his evangelical faith as head of the armed forces, depicting a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might. He read a prayer given by a military chaplain to the troops:

“Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth prayed during the livestreamed service. “Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

The ethos of the Hebrew Old Testament or teaching of Jesus Christ?

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FreddieUK · 70-79, M

That's a very fair question. The kind of rhetoric coming from Hegseth, shows a lack of understanding of Jesus' teaching. Christianity is not essentially a pacifist faith, but this abhorrent clap trap should be anathema to those who know the whole Bible and not just the gory bits.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

Christianity is not essentially a pacifist faith, but this abhorrent clap trap should be anathema to those who know the whole Bible and not just the gory bits.

The gory bits? And why do you say that Jesus' teaching is not a pacifist faith?

Pacifism is the principled opposition to war and violence as methods for settling disputes, advocating instead for peaceful, nonviolent means. Is that not consistent with Jesus' teaching?

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 Many see it as so, especially in the modern era. But there is a strong tradition of.’ the just war’ which is argued can also be consistent in fighting injustice. WW2 was seen as such by many Christians. Jesus did speak about peace and is described as the Prince of Peace, but that does not necessarily mean that within the fallen world whether Christian finds themselves resort to defence with arms is essentially ruled out. The Bible also says that there will be no peace until the end of days. Personally, I don’t take that to mean that we shouldn’t strive for peace, but the fact is we live in a war in world. It is the bombastic and bloodthirsty language of the current US administration which is completely foreign to what has gone before and I am sure Jesus is weeping at what he sees.

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@sree251 =

The ethos of the Hebrew Old Testament or teaching of Jesus Christ?

Jesus = the warmonger!!

Matthew 10:34 (TLB) =
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, rather, a sword."

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FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 Thanks. I wonder if that's the one I know as the NLT - New Living Translation? Those from the Reformed tradition have objected to every translation since the KJV. No translation is perfect and I when doing serious study, I use at least two. My NT Greek is so rusty as to be useless these days.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK What is troubling is the American evangelical Christian attitude in support of the US war on Iran. What is your take?

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 I’m appalled and so are all my Christian friends. It’s embarrassing, so much so that I no longer use the word ‘evangelical’ since it’s been tainted so much.

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