Even the Civil War was filled with "Christian" conflict. In the recent film "God and Generals," both sides of the Civil War claim that God is on their side.

For instance, Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, who once considered becoming a missionary, anticipates the impending Battle of Bull Run. He offers this prayer:

"Dear Lord, this is your day, you have admonished us to keep it holy. I am ready Lord, your will be done. It is your sword I will wield into battle, it is your banner I will raise against those who will desecrate our land. If it is my time to come, then I will come with all the joy in my heart. Amen."

But in another scene, Union Colonel Lawrence Chamberlain, trained as a theologian, explains to his brother why they must fight for the North and the liberation of slaves.

"An army is power. Its entire purpose is to coerce others. We have seen more suffering than any man should ever see. The end must justify the cost. War is a scourge, but so is slavery. It is the systematic coercion of one man over another. That is no excuse to tolerate it here. If your life or mine is part of the price to end this curse and free the Negro, then let God's will be done."

Wait a minute! Both sides of the "Great Northern Aggression" and the "Fight to Free the Slaves" profoundly and passionately believed that God was on their side. Jackson and Chamberlain are both sure it is "God's will" to fight the other.

And now two powerful Christians, Pope John Paul II and President George W. Bush, believe that God is on their side regarding Iraq.

The Pope has said a war would be a "defeat for humanity" and maintains the conflict would be, and I quote, "neither morally nor legally justified." He wants Iraq to be disarmed through methods short of military force.

But President Bush, arguably the most overt and open Christian occupying the White House in recent years, is equally convinced God is on his side as he plans for war against Saddam Hussein. His State of the Union address was filled with calls for God's intervention for the United States. "May He guide us now."

So, was God on the side of the North or the South? Does He side with the Vatican's highest leader or the United States' Commander in Chief? Does He cheer for Notre Dame or Oral Roberts?

Since God doesn't seem bothered with divine contradictions (for instance that whole Trinity "three in one" thing), perhaps the answer is an unequivocal YES. He's on our side and theirs! (Then, again, I'm sure there are many times He just shakes His head in disagreement with both sides.)

Last June the President addressed the South Baptist Convention, a group that has taken contention to cosmic levels. Bush told them:

"Faith teaches us to respect those with whom we disagree. It teaches us to tolerate one another. And it teaches us that the proper way to treat human beings created in the divine image is with civility. Yet, you also know that civility does not require us to abandon deeply held beliefs. Civility and firm resolve can live easily with one another."

When "deeply held beliefs" collide, it's tempting to believe God is only on our side. But He may very well be on their side also! I don't understand it, but then again I don't understand the Trinity or God's love and mercy to all people—including Confederate and Union soldiers, the President and the Pope, as well as holy "hawks" and devout "doves."

Perhaps that's why Paul wrote, "I urge . . . that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness. . . . "

God is on our side—and theirs.

+ + +

DISCLAIMER: Before you write that letter to the editor, let me clarify that I am not saying that the Judeo/Christian God is on the side of murderous dictator, Saddam Hussein. I am saying, that godly people can—and do—have differing opinions on what is "God's will" in personal and political issues. And there is debate as to whether the Iraq War is a "just war."

Copyright © 2003 James N. Watkins

Comments

The best "proof text" I know for the question "is God on our side or yours?" is when Joshua said to the Angel, "Are you for us or for our enemy?" And the Angel's reply, "Neither! But as commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come!" (Joshua 513-14). And Josh fell face down in the dust! As should we.
Deni Williamson

The same could be said about Roe v. Wade. We lost. We should get behind the national agenda, right? No, right and wrong are not decided by majority vote. God's saints must not only do good but oppose what is wrong. Any Christian who believes that the war is wrong should keep on speaking out.
Steve Dunham

Good point, Steve! (Click here for my take on the abortion issue.)

Just because someone claims to be a Christian, doesn't mean he or she will be a good leader. As one of my denominational leaders noted, "A Christian Bozo is still a Bozo."
rabid_riter@hotmail.com

Jim, I am expectedly disappointed at your article title "Is God on our side and theirs?". Like the majority of mainline evangelical Christianity, your reasoning drips with post-modernism. In the article you do not deal with an ounce of Scripture with would explain YOUR view. If you want to know whose side God is on I recommend a faithful exegesis of passages like Romans 13. Then apply this truth to the current world situation and you will have your answer. Please help in reforming modern Christianity, not aiding in its lukewarm irrelevance.
"Jason 4 the Truth"

Thanks for your email, Jason. A few comments. First, "Jim Shorts" appears in secular newspapers, so an "ounce of Scripture" would probably have been edited out.

Second, I'm not sure I see how Romans 13 deals with Christians having opposing views. Keep in mind, as I wrote that Christians have disagreed with each other since Christ's time. Both sides of the Civil War felt they were wielding "the sword" of the Lord. And who hasn't been involved in disagreements at a local church?

Romans 13 does point out that no matter our view on a particular issue, the bottom line is love.

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. "

I would suggest that you'd also consider Romans 14. There was a huge disagreement over diet. Both sides felt they were right!

"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

Keep in mind we must apply all of Scripture to current issues, not just out-of-context "proof texts."

Thanks for your prayers that I do "help in reforming modern Christianity." That's my goal.

Jim, thank you for your passionate — and reasonable and well-reasoned — commentary. It is something of a hard walk — this "middle-of-the-road" shuffle, with the stridency of both sides reverberating unceasingly. I feel no sanctimony here, only a heightened awareness that we are all so frail — and so strong of persuasion — and that our frailties and strongholds must not ultimately divide us . . . nor guide us. May HE set the/us captives free, and may we see our own captivities, lest we becomes slaves to our lesser gods. Give us more of your pithy Truth, Jim. Judith Dupree



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