Christians, Let's Continue To Honor Our Veterans by Ending Wars

In the United States, Christian faith and war are entwined. War is often depicted as necessary and honorable-something that brings both God and country honor. In more conservative Christian circles the connection between war and Christian faith is made explicit. Bible verses depicting Jesus’ death are twisted to imply a connection between Jesus’ sacrificial death and military service. For instance, John 15:13 is a favorite verse often quoted against a backdrop of patriotic photos.

In more conservative Christian circles the connection between war and Christian faith is made explicit.

Bible verses depicting Jesus’ death are twisted to imply a connection between Jesus’ sacrificial death and military service. For instance, John 15:13 is a favorite verse often quoted against a backdrop of patriotic photos.

But even mainline and progressive Christian groups, though often more cautious about using their Christian faith to explicitly endorse specific wars, often struggle to honor individual service members and veterans while condemning the death and destruction caused by war.

Oftentimes, it is much easier for progressive and mainline congregations to ask veterans to stand up before the congregation on Veteran’s Day, offer a round of applause and a quick prayer, and then quickly move on with the rest of the service.   

But neither response: blindly glorifying war nor ignoring its devastation and impact honor veterans or service members and neither are faithful responses to the Gospel.....

Read more at: https://thesaltcollective.org/christians-lets-continue-to-honor-veterans-by-ending-wars/