In a comment on a previous post, Abigail made the astute observation that sin and brutality have always been a part of life in this fallen world. This is a great observation, and one that we should definitely keep in mind.
However, as I noted there (and Abigail agreed), Western Civilization has been remarkably blessed by God in specific, tangible ways, not because Western sinners are less evil than others, but because by God’s grace Western Civilization soaked in the gospel for a thousand years or so. When society takes that kind of bath, it can’t help but come out a little cleaner than before.
Now, when people make claims like that (gospel-saturation has borne positive culture-wide fruit in the West), the first thing that we should ask for is some evidence. “Prove it,” as they say.
So here’s on piece of evidence: throughout most of history, those individuals (predominantly men) who have served in the military have not been noted for their chivalry and honor. In fact, the opposite is often the case.
When the Bible records that a certain Roman centurion loved the subjugated Jews and built them a synagogue (Luke 7:4-5), we are supposed to be surprised. “A centurion did what now?!?” Likewise, the story of Cornelius is meant to stretch our categories just a bit (Acts 10). Parts of the Sermon on the Mount seem to be designed to help followers of Christ deal with oppressive military grunts who would take advantage of the fact that they were licensed to use the sword (Matthew 5:40-41).
And it doesn’t stop with the Bible.
The Third Amendment to the US Constitution strictly prohibits the practice of quartering soldiers in people’s homes without their consent. When citizens were forced to house soldiers in their homes, the soldiers often failed to behave as civilized guests (to say the least).
During the Civil War, Union commanders like John Pope, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Phil Sheridan waged “total war” on their fellow countrymen in the South.
More recently, U.N. peacekeepers have been known to sexually assault refugees in Africa.
Examples could be multiplied of militaries and militias that assault and terrorize peaceful citizens in countries around the world. It’s this fact that makes videos like the one below so remarkable.
Now I have friends in the military; I know that our military has its share of thugs and perverts, as fiascos like Abu Ghraib remind us. However, on the whole, the American people do not fear our military. In many places in the world, if soldiers show up, it’s cause for terror. As the video shows, in the US it’s a cause for relief.
This is a precious reality and a remarkable gift, and one that didn’t come from nowhere. A civilized and chivalrous military that protects rather than exploits doesn’t just happen. And Christians of all people ought to know Whom we have to thank for that.
February 12, 2009 at 1:29 pm
It is cause for praise to God! A good reminder of something we (I) take for granted. It’s a happy discipline to look for evidences of God’s grace in our culture.
And as the gospel-saturation has lessened his grace has continued… we are certainly recipients of His forbearance and mercy.
February 12, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Thanks for the insightful blog Joe. I’ve been enjoying it ever since one of your insight students sent me a link.
Can you explain yourself a little? I don’t quite follow your reasoning. How does the biblical mandate, and the constitution relate to the brutality of the Union Commanders and the UN peacekeepers?
I definitely appreciate your conclusion; it is definitely the grace of God that preserves our military.
February 13, 2009 at 12:00 am
Joseph,
Thanks for reading, and commenting! I wasn’t sure if I was as clear at that point so I’m happy to clear up my basic point.
I’m arguing that for much of human history, the military has been a source of fear for citizens, not only of opposing countries, but for citizens in the country “protected” by the military. This is because militaries are often brutal and oppressive toward people.
The biblical examples (Luke 7, Cornelius, Matthew 5) are simply meant to demonstrate that the biblical authors were aware that righteous and honorable soldiers were rare. One of the reasons that stories of virtuous centurions are included in the New Testament is that virtuous centurions were rare. Like tax-collectors, centurions were despised because they represented better than anyone the oppression, bondage, and brutality of the Roman Empire (mainly because they often were the ones doing the brutalizing). So, when Jesus comes across some honorable soldiers, we’re supposed to be surprised.
The Third Amendment to the Constitution was put in there to protect citizens from the burden of housing soldiers in their homes. This practice was common under British rule, and the British soldiers were often feared by the colonists for their brutality. So the 3rd Amendment is just another line of evidence that throughout history, when soldiers show up, people are afraid of being exploited.
The brutality of the Union commanders demonstrates that America isn’t immune to vicious and wicked soldiering, and the U.N. is a reminder that such brutality still exists today.
All of that is the backdrop for the Citizen Soldier video. The depiction of soldiers in that video is very positive and, in my opinion, true to life.
Here’s a thought experiment: Imagine a tsunami hits SE Asia. People are in desperate and dire situations. Suddenly on the horizon they see some helicopters and jeeps coming their way. At first, they are afraid, because it might be the local commanders coming to exploit them. But their fear turns to joy when they realize it is the U.S. National Guard, because unlike many other militaries, ours regularly behaves with honor and dignity.
Which brings me to the ultimate point, namely, that a civilized and chivalrous military doesn’t appear out of thin air; it is the fruit of the gospel penetrating into the heart of a society such that even the military comes to be somewhat transformed by gospel-influence (even among those who are unbelievers). It is precisely this blessing that I fear we are in danger of losing as we fail to preserve the Christian roots of our country.
Does that help?
February 13, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Thanks Joe!
That clears up the links between your examples quite well.
I wasn’t quite sure how they fit before, but now it makes sense. It is amazing to me how the LORD continues to bless us with this grace of the US military being a chivalrous force for good even though it has, at various times, acted much different. (e.g. The Union Army and some of what was done here in the homeland during WWII)
I too fear the danger of loosing this great blessing of having a military still guided by some principles of Christian honor. However, I praise the LORD that He has continued to sustain the America—and the military—through a horrible civil war, through the plans of foolish leaders, through great evils battled in other wars and through the moral decline of a culture! May He continue to sustain us and cause His gospel to be even more fruitful in this critical time–both in the military and our culture that shapes the military.
Thanks again!