A Further Christian Note on the Israeli/Lebanon War

With the facts on hand, I think it accurate to surmise from the war in Israel and Lebanon that the term "innocent civilians" is overly stated. The Southern Lebanese as well as the Lebanese government is in large part to blame for the ascension of Hezbollah onto the world stage. However, as Christians, there are two further things to consider.

Mercy and Judgment.

What is the definition of mercy according to our faith? It is benevolent forbearance to those under our power or under our influence. As Christians, it is our duty to bless our enemies and to not judge. Let's not lose sight over who the real enemy is in this war, in every war. It is not against flesh and blood do we contend, as St. Paul said, but Dominions, Thrones, Powers, and Principalities that we contend.

The terrorists, whether Hezbollah, Hamas, or al Quaida, are not our true enemies. They are twisted men and women... and sadly children. They are twisted by a faith that advocates conversion by the sword. They are twisted by an intolerable society that suffers no dissension, no rebuttals.

In Iran, a man can legally be killed for buying fruits from an Arab Sunni tribe. In these failed societies, like Iran, where there is no possibility of ascending the economic ladder, no freedom of speech or movement, where the only entertainment is the weekly "Death to America", "Death to Israel" parades and protests, what do you think the fruits of this will be? They sow the seeds of hatred and reap violence and misery. What more can we do to them that they haven't done already to themselves?

We do these particular sins in our micro daily lives. When we gossip and accuse, we reap discord and discontent (if we're lucky). When we judge and condemn, we reap the whirlwind of our own sins. We should not be surprised that our "white lies" are repaid in the form of deception and perfidiousness. What do you think caused the tumultuous violence in the Middle East but their own sins revisiting them?

We can judge it at our peril or we can bless them. Jesus commanded us to not just to love our own people (“even the pagans do that”), but to positively bless our enemies! These terrorists are all immortal beings made in God's very own Image, like you, like me. How would I fare had I been born to their misery and hatred without any hope of having freedom? I honestly don't know.

We should simply have some clarity on this issue and accept reality on its own terms rather than what we would like them to be. These terrorists that we are hunting down all across the globe are, even now, made in the likeness of God Himself and He loves them every bit as much as He loves you and me.

However, this is not to say we shouldn't prosecute our war on terrorists. Indeed, clarity issues from knowing the terrible necessities of what is and what is to be done. When an animal becomes mad with rabies, attacking the very hand that feeds it, society knows that this animal must be put down before more harm can be done. So it is with the terrorists. We should not rejoice or take any pleasure in killing them.

But kill them we must before the disease of their madness becomes a contagion bringing the roof down over our heads.

May God have mercy on their souls...