Today’s Scripture Reading (November 6,
2015): Deuteronomy 20
President
Obama has decided to wade a little deeper into the conflict in Syria. The
decision probably has his critics more than a little confused. For those who
believe that this is an appropriate action, like let’s say almost the whole
Republican Party, the question is “why did you wait so long?” For those who
have revelled in his promise not to put boots (or sneakers) on the ground in
Syria, the question is “what changed?” For those who hope for the United States
to return to its “non-interventionist policies in foreign affairs” the question
is “we know that the Islamic State is a destabilizing force in the Middle East,
but what does that have to do with us who live half a world away?” And for many
the question will simply be this – “is it just?”
Just War
philosophers have been arguing over the possibility of the “just” or “necessary
war” for centuries. It is definitely part of what Obama seems to believe in
this moment in time. This war is both just and necessary. But is it really? The
component of a “just war” vary among philosophers, but they would include
things like a “just goal” (which in the current crisis would be the elimination
of the destabilizing situation which has caused a flood of refugees that has had
to be taken up by other nations), a just aim (which should always be peace –
although waging war to get to peace seems to be an impossible goal), it must be
necessary (all other possible solutions must be exhausted before the move to
war), it must proportional (or non-vengeful in nature) and there must be the
possibility of winning.
It might be
that last one that has switched the President’s mind on the matter of war in
Syria. Many war strategists have long argued that the prospects of a successful
conflict in Syria is impossible without American boots on the ground. Just to
be clear, the United States is already at war in Syria – their fighter jets and
missiles are consistently attacking Islamic State position within the area of
conflict. What has been lacking, at least up until now, is American boots on
the ground in the midst of the conflict. And winning the war might be
impossible without them – therefore, the war would also not be “just” without
them, because the United States would then be do nothing more than prolonging
the pain.
But for
Christians, maybe the problem goes a bit deeper – and to a certain extent
unknowable. What is it that God desires in Syria? Some of this we know. God
desires peace between his children. If we accept the Hebrew and Islamic texts,
as well as the Christian ones, then we come up with a very difficult idea. God
blessing lies on every side of this conflict. Even within just the
Judeo-Christian texts, we find a promise to bless the Jews, the Christians and
the Muslims.
For Islam,
God gives this blessing - And
as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him
fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve
rulers, and I will make him into a great nation (Genesis 17:20). For
Israel, God gives this blessing - “So
they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” – (Numbers
6:27). And for the Christian the blessing takes this form - So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of
faith (Galatians 3:9). Given this fact, maybe this conflict more than any
other cannot be solved with a military answer. It must be solved by the God who
has promised all of us to walk into the conflict with us. Our possibility of
success depends on him and only him.
But then
again, that is the way it was always supposed to be. Victory was never
dependant on the numbers of the combatants, but rather on the will of the God
that we serve.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 21
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