In the spring of 1979 the Salem Oregon Ecclesia, in response to a growing movement concerning the possible reinstatement of the military draft in the United States, undertook a series of ecclesial classes in order to address this issue. Today we find that the first step involved with the draft has been enacted, i.e., the mandatory registration of all young men, aged 18-20 years. Because of this and other “Signs of the times” this series of articles was proposed in order to refamiliarize ourselves, as Brethren and Sisters in Christ Jesus, with the teachings given by God to us and recorded in the pages of the Bible. The following is the first part of a summarization of the classes given in Salem, to the end that the Brotherhood may be reawakened to this vital issue.
Why Study?
One of the first questions that raises its puzzling head is one that asks, “Why do we need to study such a seemingly simple and straightforward topic anyway?” Hand in hand with this question runs the inquiry, “Who should be included and engaged in such a study?” Let’s address these two problems and see a few possible answers.
To begin to understand why we need to study this issue we have to realize something about ourselves as individuals, viz., we do not have the ability at present to retain every aspect of God’s Word by reading it once through! We are but mortal beings, creatures of the dust and therefore, need to constantly refresh ourselves in God’s Word if we are seeking to actively use it. This is one of the reasons why the Bereans in Acts 17:11 were commended so highly, for ” . . . they searched the scriptures daily . . .” This is the type of attitude we should undertake if we are to follow the injunction left in 1 Peter 3:15, i.e., “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you in meekness and in fear.” We shall also see later that this “seemingly simple and straightforward topic” has many surprising complexities within it that we must learn now if we wish to be fluent in its discourse.
Everyone’s Involved
The second question is answered much more easily. Who is to be involved in the study? Our answer is the ecclesia as a whole, male and female, young and old alike! You may ask why and the reason is fourfold. First, though only young men are involved now, there is nothing that states it must remain this way. In the original Congressional debates women were also included in the proposed draft legislation. If a time of national crisis did arise or if the controversial Equal Rights Amendment was passed, the drafting of female military personnel could indeed become a very real possibility! Secondly, we should be trying to follow the words left to us in Deut. 6:6-9 where God’s people are instructed in His commandments and told, “And these words, which I command thee day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” We shall see as these articles develop that the Christaldelphian stand on military service is based upon fundamental principles of the truth. These principles our children should hear in order that they too may be strengthened in them, especially in their early teen years. This teaching is, of course, primarily accomplished in the home, but how can we teach or discuss these things unless we are refreshed in them ourselves? How can we expect our children to ask us questions concerning this topic unless they have been exposed to it and what better place than in an ecclesial setting. It is from these sessions that thoughts and remarks can be formulated that will prompt a good home discussion. Material gleaned from the ecclesial classes does need to be discussed and rehearsed at home if we are to grasp it and comfortably use it. Thirdly, the old in our ecclesias should be emphatically included! These people may have had personal experiences with military conscription in the past and therefore, can be virtually a wealth of information. Even if they have not been involved with the draft before in some way, they should have a good reference within them of many different Bible topics which is indispensable in any class situation and can be of paramount importance in this case. Lastly, we meet people everyday and therefore, again following the words in 1 Peter 3:15 (we shall see time and time again in our study just how powerful this verse is), we must be prepared to give a reason, not only to the local draft board, but also to anyone that asks, “Why are you a conscientious objector?”
Why Are We C.O.’s?
So now with these preliminary questions briefly answered let’s begin to apply ourselves to the central portion of our discussion, i.e., why are we as Christadelphians conscientious objectors? Are we in this classification because our Statement of Faith, under Doctrines to be rejected. number 35 says, “That we are at liberty to serve in the army, or as police constables, to take part in politics, or recover debts by legal coercion ?” If so we had better re-examine our position, for that by itself lacks an important element, viz., the Biblical reasons for that stand! We shall see that, yes indeed, the Bible does give us a clear, concise teaching that will lend itself to being a good foundation for this statement, but we should not say that we are conscientious objectors merely because it is a tenet of our faith that we arbitrarily made up.
We Seek Full Military Exemption
You may say, “You’re clouding this simple issue; doesn’t it say very plainly in Exodus 20:13„ ‘Thou shalt not kill?’ How much simpler can it be?” Again if we find that this is our basis for conscientious objection, we are walking on dangerous ground. If this is the reason there would be nothing wrong in performing our military obligation in a non-combatant position, but we are a people that seek Full military exemption. The word “kill” in Ex. 20:13 comes from the Hebrew word “ratsach” which primarily refers to the act of murder. It is actually translated as such in the Masoretic text, Young’s Literal Translation, and the Revised Version. Christ uses it in this same context when he quotes this law in Matthew 5:21. Murder is involved in a different scope than killing in a time of war; if it were not so then would have the whole nation of Israel been guilty of murder (a crime with the penalty of death, Lev. 24:17,21) for all the wars they were involved in! The subtle difference that is found here is that these wars were ordained by God and the Israelites were commanded by God to fight them! This is another point that we shall expand upon in the future.
Our stand is a different case indeed! We found our principles upon a teaching given by God and brought out by His Son. Jesus, when asked as to which of the laws he considered to be the greatest said this in M’t. 22:37-40,55 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law of the prophets.” Our stand is one that begins with the foundation of love for our God and our fellow man. It is on this basis that we hold Bible campaigns, lectures and many other events geared towards reaching out to our neighbor so that he may lay hold upon life!
Can we say that we love our fellow man if we take up arms, at this time, in order to take his life? Of course not, our beliefs are based on the word of life and it is out of this, our love, that we wish to share this message with all mankind.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One