Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 9/16/2007

Question
Hello Rev. Woodward,

I am just wondering if the United States should become militarily involved in other countrie's affairs and for what reasons. It would seem so if as in WWI and WWII, the non-intervention of the U.S. and it's allies might have resulted in a world domination of evil and communism. We won those wars I believe because God was on our side.
Now, looking at Vietnam and Iraq, was and is the situation different and could it be that we had and are having such a tough time in Vietnam and Iraq because God may not be with us and we might have been or be there for the wrong reasons, thus losing God's grace and support?

Did Jesus also want us to be liberators as well as spread the message of love and Christianity if a country we are trying to support is corrupt in it's own government and divided amongst themselves as I know Iraq and I'm sure some elements of the South Vietnamese government were? I am thinking that in that event then Christ might have warranted leaving these people to their own fate or chastisement.

I would be thankful for any of your ideas on the above issues.

Sincerely,

Mike E.  

Answer
Hello Mike,
Thank you for your question. You touch on complex issues that Christians disagree about so I can only give you my own perspective as a Baptist minister ministering in England.
There may in my opinion be occasions when a nation might intervene in another's affairs when the population of the country is being abused and brutalised. Had Sadam Husain had weapons of mass destruction there might also have been an argument for intervening to protect the world. However, we must be very careful here. To suggest that the USA is a Christian country is untrue (even according to your own constitution) and whatever Britain once was it is no longer a Christian country. Both are more secular and capitalistic than Christian.
So then our motives must be examined. Some believe the USA invaded Iraq because of oil. It is not a view I share but if it were true it would be shameful. Why should our nations prosper at the expense of another. This is not very Christian.
Yes I tend to agree that wars have been won because God has vindicated the right but we must never be so arrogant as to assume that we must always be right.
So I can see an argument for intervening in Zimbabwe where the government is abusing its people but I doubt if it will happen for Zimbabwe is not perceived as a threat or a source of wealth.
I suspect that Jesus wants the church to be a constant voice of conscience in whatever country it is in. My first loyalty is not to my country but to Jesus and His church. That church is found all over the world.
I am not sure I am answering your question but rather giving you ideas to mull over as you seek to walk God's way.
I hope these thoughts are of some help.
May God bless you
Stuart Woodward