Delivered said:
Are the elect instructed to go into another land and take part in the forceful subduing of an entire country resulting in the murder of many?
Yes. Christian soldiers are commanded to obey those who are in authority over them. Rom. 13:5-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13, 14. To attack an enemy who has chosen to embed himself among civilians is not murder. It is the enemy who murders the civilians.
Nonetheless, are we instructed by Christ to take our weapons and invade another person's land and kill their family in the effort to protect ourself and the ones whom we have killed.
Those in authority have responsibilities under the moral law of God. They should not wage offensive wars in order to obtain power, influence, and goods under a show of right under a false pretext of a perceived threat.
Not speaking directly about the war in Iraq, just examining the concept of war and what the Bible says about it just for those who may jump on me about the issue in Iraq, I am speaking about the concept of war and the instructions to believers).
Whether or not Iraq is an unjust war, the Christian soldier has taken an oath to the Constitution of the United States that requires him to obey the lawful orders of the President. To refuse service in Iraq would be to bear false witness and disrespect authority.
If during his service in Iraq, the Christian soldier is given an unlawful order to murder Iraqi civilians or abuse prisoners, he should obey God rather than man.
