From another officer in the military …
To be honest, being in the military has taught me a LOT about God. There are times I have to do things that I really don’t want to do, and support things I don’t really care to support. Through it all I’ve learned that it’s okay to sing along to the company song … even if you don’t like the words. Whether the military is a “godly” career choice I’m still unsure of (I probably should have thought of that before, huh?). There are so many military-esc analogies in the Bible that I feel we have a good grasp on that others perhaps don’t.
#1) Not sure how to answer this question. It’s not that I don’t understand it, but I really don’t have a good answer. I think you could extend the same question to anyone … a baker, a shoe salesman, a teacher … how do they do what they do here on earth while being a citizen of another Kingdom. I guess I don’t see the military as being unique or a special case. I suppose my primary citizenship almost strengthens my devotion for the other because I know deep down the military doesn’t truly own me. I’m free to do a great job because I know my value, living, provisions and worth don’t come from there.
#2) I suppose I look at these verses as instructions for individuals as opposed for a government or state faction. Truly, these verses could be balanced out with Luke 20:25, Titues 3:1, and Romans 13 1-10. Romans talks about our neighbor and loving him/her. However, loving doesn’t mean approving or passively sitting by. If I’m supposed to love my neighbor as I love myself, this goes far beyond kindess or “being nice”. Thinking about how I love myself I consider that I don’t approve of everything I do … there are occasions where I think I should be punished. I read that somewhere in a CS Lewis book … can’t remember which one though as it’s been a while. The Romans verse talks about doing no harm, however punishment is definitely not harm and may in fact be a saving/ restorative act.
While Biblically the military is never endorsed explicitly, there were lots of God-gathered, hand picked armies in the old testament. Even when Jesus meets the centurion in the New Testament he doesn’t rebuke him for his occupation but commends his faith. I’m not saying that this means he’s giving a thumbs up for military service, but it’s interesting that he doesn’t say a thing about it.
As you can tell from reading this, I haven’t done a whole lot of thinking about the topic. I suppose because I see it like every other occupation: to perform a task as effectively as possible. To everything, there is a season, including a time for war. I’m grateful for these pacifist folks and they’re beliefs, I guess I just see so many more conundrums of greater magnitude and less worthy causes then the military.
I don’t think war and nations raging against each other is by any means God’s perfect plan. I think he’s entered into a relationship with humanity and that is a messy business. It’s like a parent that wants their child to grow up to be a confident, secure, caring person … but for now they have to deal with a screaming, selfish infant with little bowel control.
Peace.