No the end does not justify the means. But righteousness and love justify the response. I have thought alot about these questions, I think they are good ones. First without giving thought- love and righteousness are the primary drivers for Christian motives. If someone attacked my wife I would defend her, in fact it is my duty. (love and righteousness demand that) Yes Jesus talked about violence and war, and He healed the servant of a Roman soldier, John the Baptist preached to the soldiers, Jesus told Peter to put his sword away the night he was betrayed. Jesus predicted nations would fight wars, but He condemned murder. So we must define murder. Turning the other cheek and defending your loved ones are compatible in my own mind. I do not believe in violence towards anyone. But I also feel a loving responsibility for the safety of my wife, friends and neighbor. I feel these are difficult subjects. I believe in self-defense when justified and I can't think of a just war. I am not a pacifist. I do believe that if our country is attacked there should be a military defense. I will give this some more thought.
Does any Chistian poster here think that Jesus would support the Iraq war? No specific bible references required, just give me your personal opinion on what Jesus would do in this case.
Can a Christian support the Iraq war? Yes. It was a Christian who started the war. Do I believe Jesus would ever decide to start a war? No. Would Jesus ever lie to start a war? No Is it Christian to start the war and or support it? Ultimately it is up to one's own concience and the relationship one believes they have with Christ. It is my belief that it is not Christian to support the war from the beginning. That is a very different thing than believing that because the war wasn't in Christ's footsteps we need to pull everyone out and leave a power vaccum after creating the mess.
