Government for the Christian

Copyright 2015 by Samuel C. Smith

Part Two: The Biblical Practice of Government

Chapter 9: Biblically Assessing Foreign Policy Issues

Just as we did in the previous chapter with economic issues, to determine the Biblical role of a civil government in relating to foreign nations it is useful to begin with the general Biblical purposes of civil government: (1) to facilitate the peace and quiet of society; (2) to secure the rights and rewards of those who follow God’s laws; and (3) to punish evil. Focusing these purposes on interactions with foreign nations, a government’s Biblically defined role is to use coercive justice to protect its citizens’ ability to live a peaceful and quiet life while exercising their God-given rights from foreign individuals and nations that would seek to infringe upon them.

Immigration

God’s Ideas. God commanded the nation of Israel to treat foreigners with the same respect for their rights as if they were one of their own (Exodus 22:21; 23:9; Leviticus 19:33– 34; Deuteronomy 10:19). However, we also know that civil government’s purpose is to serve those paying it taxes (Romans 13:6-7). Therefore, we may conclude that a nation should respect and refrain from oppressing law-abiding foreigners; however, in so doing it should never infringe on the rights of its citizens.

Satan’s Perversions. Today the United States is challenged with the problem of figuring out how to deal with the millions of illegal immigrants who are currently residing here. This problem is encouraged by two policies that violate the rights of U.S. citizens by helping illegal immigrants at the expense of the taxpayers— social benefits (including education and healthcare subsidies) and birthright citizenship (any person born in the U.S., regardless of how they got here and where their parents are from, has a right to be a U.S. citizen). Many political groups and leaders are calling for amnesty as a solution to the problem. However, this would be in effect “justifying the wicked” and punishing those who went to the trouble and expense of immigrating legally.

Why It Matters. Though it is certainly a difficult problem that may require a complex solution, illegal immigrants should face some form of punishment for breaking the law, and illegal immigration and birthright citizenship must be stopped because they violate the economic, religious, and political rights of U.S. citizens. However, as a nation, we should be welcoming and respectful to lawful immigrants and visitors.

Diplomacy

God’s Ideas. Governments should seek to promote and secure peace and stability for their citizens (1 Timothy 2:1-2). This includes seeking to establish peaceful relationships with foreign nations. On the other hand, it is prudent for a nation to avoid binding political alliances and treaties with other nations as much as possible—especially with those governments that are not acting in subjection to the sovereignty of God and His law (James 4:4; 2 Chronicles 18:3; 19:2; Exodus 23:31-33).

Satan’s Perversions. Sadly, across the globe today rulers and even entire governments have banded together into international political, economic, and military alliances and organizations that often embody the spirit of Psalm 2:1-3: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”

Why It Matters. The Founding Fathers advocated for a foreign policy of peace, trade, and friendship (i.e., they were not isolationists). George Washington said:

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.[72] 72. Founders’ Quotes, http://foundersquotes.com/quotes/observe-good-faith-and-justice-towards-all-nations-cultivate-peace-and-harmony-with-all/.

However, they warned against entangling alliances (“Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.” Thomas Jefferson) because they believed that such binding agreements would force the nation to choose between keeping their word and following their God-ordained mandate to enforce justice and protect the rights and peace of their citizens.

Foreign Aid

God’s Ideas. There are no specific Scriptural references to foreign aid other than when it was given as a form of tribute by a conquered/weaker nation to the conquering/stronger nation as a means of appeasement.

Satan’s Perversions. Foreign aid often involves the forcible transfer of wealth and blessings from individuals who are living according to the laws of God to those who are living contrary to His laws. In short, it is an attempt to bring the material blessings of righteousness without the Source (God) of that righteousness, presenting human government as the hope and healer of nations rather than Jesus Christ.

Why It Matters. Foreign aid is a perversion of God’s design for civil government and should be abolished because it (1) subsidizes evil, thereby increasing dependency and oppression; (2) creates hostility toward the nation that is propping up the pagan dictator; (3) weakens missionaries and businesses through taxation to pay for the foreign aid; and (4) is often funded with borrowed money.

War

God’s Ideas. Scripture condemns killing as sin (Exodus 20:13), and in fact points to sin as the source of all forms of “wars and fightings” (James 4:1). However, God’s Word allows for the ministers of His coercive justice to kill if necessary (Genesis 9:6; Romans 13:4), including going to war as a nation against foreign aggressors (Genesis 14; Nehemiah 4:7-14), though not all wars are justified (Isaiah 10:12-14). God also does not condemn killing that results from self/family defense (Nehemiah 4:14; 1 Timothy 5:8; Genesis 14) and accidents (Numbers 35:11; Deuteronomy 19:4-5).

Just War Theory. In order to assist in evaluating whether a government was Biblically justified in going to war with another nation, a system of criteria was developed over the years that today is known as Just War Theory. This system is a synthesis of Greco-Roman and Christian values and was developed primarily by Aristotle, Cicero, and Augustine. The criteria are (1) Just cause—only in order to protect citizens’ rights (i.e., in response to aggressive force that involves seizing/harming land, resources, and/or people from that state). It is also justified to assist a nation that is being exploited by an invading enemy, provided the other conditions are met and the help is requested (Revelation 19:11). (2) Proper authority—proper legal authority authorizing the action. According to the United States Constitution, only Congress has the authority to declare war; the United Nations merely provides an additional source for “justifying” non-defensive wars (i.e., interventions in other nations’ affairs), making it a pro- interventionist organization (Romans 13:1-7). (3) Comparative justice—is the enemy morally wrong/are we morally right (Romans 13:3)? (4) Right intention—our cited reason is in line with the just cause; our interest is justice alone (Psalm 68:30; Proverbs 21:2). (5) Last resort—all other means have been exhausted. Winston Churchill said that it is far better to “jaw jaw” than to “war war.”

However, sometimes it is better to strike quickly before the aggressor has time to entrench himself and consolidate his gains (e.g., Persian Gulf War). Also, sanctions often fail and only cause unnecessary human suffering (e.g., Iraq sanctions until the March 2003 invasion). It is better to say that states should have a strong presumption against the resort to force and should consider (not necessarily try) all other options before deciding in favor of force. Always ask, “Is the proposed use of force reasonable, given the situation and the nature of the aggression?” (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18). (6) Probability of success—aims to prevent lethal violence that is known in advance to be futile. A nation always has the right to attempt self-defense—no matter how long the odds. However, prudence and respect for the well- being of its citizens dictate that in certain circumstances the government not attempt resistance (“live to fight another day”), such as Czechoslovakia during the Nazi invasion (Proverbs 20:18; 24:6; Luke 14:31). (7) Proportionality—the use of force must not be excessive in rectifying the situation. Also, the benefit of the justice from the war must exceed its costs (will the pros of the outcome outweigh the cons?—Proverbs 20:18; 24:6; Luke 14:31; Romans 13:4).

Just Conduct in War. It is possible for a war to be fought for the right reasons but in the wrong way and vice versa. Therefore, it is important that the principles of just conduct in war are also met: (1) Proportionality of force—no greater destruction than is necessary to ensure accomplishment of the mission (Deuteronomy 20:10-20); (2) Discrimination between combatants/noncombatants (Deuteronomy 20:13-14, 19-20); (3) Avoidance of evil means— captured/defeated enemies treated with justice and compassion (Romans 12:20-21; Proverbs 25:21; Matthew 5:7); and (4) Good faith—desire to restore peace with the enemy (1 Timothy 2:1-2; Matthew 5:43-44; Romans 12:18).

Conquest. Is conquest a legitimate means of acquiring a nation? Though God directs the hearts of kings to accomplish His will, He still judges them for their wickedness (Exodus 7-12; Isaiah 10:5-19; Jeremiah 51:35). In Isaiah 10:5-19 God condemns the nation of Assyria for its proud and arrogant foreign policy of conquering nations for its own glorification. Therefore, we can conclude that any nation that invades other countries for its own promotion is acting in conflict with God’s design for civil governments since it is the equivalent of stealing (which is condemned in the Ten Commandments). What about Israel conquering the nations of Canaan? Deuteronomy 9:4-6 tells us that God used Israel to drive out the Canaanites from the land not because Israel was righteous and deserving of the conquest, but because the Canaanites were wicked and worthy of destruction. God owns the earth and gives it to whomever He wishes. He promised this land to Abraham and his descendants and commanded them to use war as a means of taking possession of it (also as a judgment on the wickedness of Canaan) and placed clear restrictions on where they were to conquer (e.g., no conquest of Edom). As King of kings, He gave the Israelites the authority to conquer these lands.

Satan’s Perversions. Throughout history Satan has managed to get nations to buy into his lie that conquest of other nations is justified because it leads to national glorification, while at the same time those same societies punish individuals for using force to take what is not theirs from others. In the United States today, public opinion, including among Christians, has established “supporting the troops” and the wars they are sent to fight as one of the highest patriotic virtues. However, when one evaluates the current activities of our federal government, particularly the wars that they are sending our military personnel to fight, the question must be asked: Are we supporting our troops in the sense of wishing them well (good health, a safe return, our gratitude for their toils), or supporting them in the sense that we desire that they come home victors in conquest? The former would support the Biblical attitudes of gratitude and love (concern) for others, but the latter perspective presents an unbiblical motive in supporting the troops. We need to be sure that we have not unwittingly made war an idol as Caesar (tyrannical government) and Mars (the god of war and conquest) were to their eras. Congressman Ron Paul put it well when he said, “The true nature of war must be laid bare, and the glorification must end.”^{[73] 73. Liz Halloran, “Q&A Presidential Candidate Ron Paul,” U.S. News and World Report, November 9, 2007, http://www.usnews.com.}

C. F. Bastiat exposed this tragic deception when he stated:

The country, which has enemies and dangers, needs to stimulate the courage of its children. To the most daring, to those who have enlarged the frontiers, and gathered the spoils of war, are given honors, reputation, and glory. Poets sing their exploits. Fair women weave garlands for them. Such is the power of public opinion that it separates the idea of injustice from spoliation, and even rids the despoiler of the consciousness of his wrong-doing. There is only one remedy—time. You say there is another restraint—moral influences. But moral influences have for their object the increase of virtuous actions. How can they restrain these acts of spoliation when these very acts are raised by public opinion to the level of the highest virtues? Is there a more potent moral influence than religion? Has there ever been a religion more favorable to peace or more universally received than Christianity? And yet what has been witnessed during eighteen centuries? Men have gone out to battle, not merely in spite of religion, but in the very name of religion … at such a time war assumes a character of sanctity and grandeur … warlike virtues are exalted above all others.^{[74] 74. C. F. Bastiat, The Bastiat Collection, 2nd ed. (Auburn, Alabama: Ludwig von Mises Institute, 2011), 311-312.}

Why It Matters. It is vital that our nation start viewing war for what it truly is—the result of sin and at best a necessary evil that produces poverty, suffering, and death. Once this idea is established in the arena of public opinion, it will make the issue of disciplining our leaders to discriminate between just and unjust wars much easier to resolve. SGT Jared Brownlow, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, said:

By nearly every measure, America is far less free than we ever were before we went to war. We did, however, fight for you. We fought because, for whatever reasons you, as collective members of our republic, chose for us to be there. Let us memorialize those Americans who fought and died fighting our nation’s wars. But, let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that every American soldier died fighting for our freedom. We, as a nation, need to come to terms with the fact that not every war is worth sending our men and women to fight and die for.^{[75] 75. Quotation used by permission of Sgt. Jared Brownlow.}

Those who defend our invasions of foreign countries with the argument that they help open doors to spread the Gospel would do well to hear the words of Charles Spurgeon:

The church, we affirm, can neither be preserved nor can its interests be promoted by human armies … the progress of the arms of a Christian nation is not the progress of Christianity, and that the spread of our empire, so far from being advantageous to the Gospel, I will hold, and this day proclaim, hath been hostile to it,” and “When an enterprise begins in martyrdom, it is none the less likely to succeed, but when conquerors begin to preach the gospel to those they have conquered, it will not succeed … Mahommedans’ religion might be sustained by scimitars, but Christians’ religion must be sustained by love. The great crime of war can never promote the religion of peace … . ‘It is not by armies, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.’”^{[76] 76. “Charles Spurgeon: On War and Christians,” https://spurgeonwarquotes.wordpress.com/.}

Militaries

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Satan’s Perversions. Today the United States military is being used increasingly as a “global force for good” (a current U.S. Navy slogan) rather than as an organized force whose primary purpose is national defense (e.g., “humanitarian” deployments to countries like Liberia, Indonesia, and Honduras). Additionally, disarmament efforts are accelerating^{[77] 77. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/19/world/obama-has-plans-to-cut-us-nuclear-arsenal-if-russia-reciprocates.html?_r=0.} in the name of global peace without the necessary foundation of the Gospel of peace or national submission to the Prince of peace. Rather than honoring God, the U.S. military is blaspheming Him and His design: mandatory Department of Defense (DoD) briefings target Biblical values and groups as being problematic;^{[78] 78. http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/10/14/us-army-defines-christian-ministry-as-domestic-hate-group/.} references to Jesus Christ and the Creator are viewed as offensive and are no longer welcome in invocations/benedictions at many military functions.^{[79] 79. http://aclj.org/aclj/washington-times---military-chaplains-told-to-shy-from-jesus.}

The military currently has robust affirmative action and equal opportunity programs designed to ensure that a certain percentage of the military is composed of women and various racial minority groups, regardless of whether those individuals are the ones most qualified for those positions. The current push to increase the percentage of women in the military and open up all Military Occupational Specialties (including combat roles) to women rejects God’s design for women (Titus 2:4-5; Nehemiah 4:13– 14; Deuteronomy 22:5) and weakens the military’s effectiveness (Nahum 3:13; Jeremiah 50:37). The Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Services stated in the November 15, 1992 Executive Summary Conclusion in the Report to the President:

The case for assigning women to combat fails for the very basic reason that it is grounded principally in the concept of equal opportunity. When national security is at stake, however, the need to maintain a strong military must take precedence over concerns about equal opportunity … mixed-gender units, particularly as [they] get closer to the combat area, have lower deployment rates, higher attrition, less physical strength, more sexual activity, higher costs, et cetera, et cetera.

The DoD is now not only allowing homosexual soldiers to serve openly in the military (“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy repeal), but it is actually promoting and celebrating the LGBT (lesbian-gay- bisexual-transgender) community through its mandatory Equal Opportunity briefings and by making the month of June “LGBT Pride” month for all DoD personnel. This month-long celebration includes holding large military-sponsored LGBT Pride events on military posts, posting LGBT Pride month promotional posters and other material throughout DoD offices and training areas, and even sending uniformed representatives of the military to march in LGBT rally parades. It has also begun to recognize same-sex marriages, granting these couples marriage benefits on par with heterosexual married couples. This type of activity is calling evil good and prevents some Christians from being able to serve with a clear conscience before the Lord, since many officers are required to promote the Pride month to their units and sign paperwork granting marriage benefits to homosexual couples who get married. All of these initiatives are not only in direct contradiction to God’s design, they also distract time, attention, and resources from achieving mission readiness.

As then-Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney said:

It’s important for us to remember that what we are asked to do here in the Department of Defense is to defend the nation. The only reason we exist is to be prepared to fight and win wars. We are not a social welfare agency … it is not a jobs program, we aren’t there to run social experiments.[80] 80. John Chalfant, America–A Call to Greatness (Winter Park, Florida: America--A Call to Greatness, Inc., 2003), 136.

Why It Matters. The moral decline and increasing godlessness of our military should be alarming and move us to our knees in prayer. David Horowitz, a former Communist radical, warned:

I was dedicated to the subversion and overturning of every American institution … .We were successful in subverting and overturning every American institution but one—it was the military institution … .Why don’t you wake up? Women in combat and homosexuals in the military is to finish the job on the only institution that survived the ’60s and ’70s revolution intact.^{[81] 81. John Chalfant, America–A Call to Greatness (Winter Park, Florida: America--A Call to Greatness, Inc., 2003), 141}

Benjamin Franklin emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and ready military when he said:

The very fame of our strength and readiness would be a means of discouraging our enemies; for ’tis a wise and true saying, that “One sword often keeps another in the scabbard.” The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent.^{[82] 82. “The Plain Truth,” Revolutionary War and Beyond, http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/plain-truth-by-benjamin-franklin-november-17-1747.html.}

Summary

In this chapter we discussed that the Biblical role of a civil government in relating to foreign nations is to protect its citizens’ God-given rights from foreign individuals and nations that would seek to infringe upon them. It accomplishes this specifically by:

~ Immigration: Treat legal visitors with kindness, respect, and dignity while still protecting the taxpayers’/citizens’ rights. End illegal immigration by securing the border and removing the incentives (birthright citizenship and social welfare benefits), and seek a solution that balances justice with practicality for the millions of illegal immigrants currently residing in the U.S.

~ Diplomacy: “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.”

~ Foreign Aid: Not a part of the Divinely-ordained role for government—abolish it.

~ War: Follow the Biblical Just War principles.

~ Defense: Trust in God, not in weapons; select personnel, equipment, and training in order to maximize effectiveness according to God’s design. Cease activities that promote evil practices, and restore God and His Word to their proper place of honor in the military.