Should a Christian Join a Militia?
The question of whether a Christian should join a militia is a complex one that requires carefully examining what the Bible teaches. At around 9,000 words, this article will comprehensively analyze the relevant biblical passages concerning violence, self-defense, submission to governing authorities, and other factors that bear on this issue.
The Bible’s Teachings on Violence
The Bible contains teachings that at first seem contradictory regarding the use of violence. On the one hand, there are passages that appear to promote non-violence and prohibiting retaliation. For example, Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39). This principle of non-retaliation echoes through several other New Testament texts (Romans 12:17-21; 1 Peter 2:23). Overall, the New Testament ethic clearly leans away from the use of violence.
However, the Bible also contains passages that appear to legitimate violent action in certain circumstances. Most notably, the Old Testament contains extensive regulations permitting and governing the use of violence in specific contexts. For example, the death penalty is prescribed for numerous offenses (Exodus 21:12-17). Rules of warfare are delineated at length (Deuteronomy 20). And God commands killing idolaters (Exodus 22:20) and wiping out the Canaanites (Deuteronomy 20:16-18). While the ritual purity laws no longer apply under the new covenant, the moral principles behind them reflect God’s views on justice and punishment.
So how do we reconcile what appear to be contradictory threads regarding violence running through Scripture? Several key principles emerge:
1. Individual non-retaliation and loving enemies is the Christian ideal. Jesus’ teachings on non-violence represent the ethic of the Kingdom of God that will be perfectly manifested one day. Christians are to live according to these values as much as possible, leaving vengeance to God (Romans 12:19).
2. However, the use of force is permitted, though not demanded, for restraining evil and punishing wrongdoing. Passages like Romans 13:1-7 establish governing authorities as “servants of God” who “do not bear the sword in vain.” Under just and ethical leadership, Christians may participate in violence sanctioned by the state for the sake of order and justice.
3. Warfare and violence, while tragic consequences of a fallen world, will be part of human society until Christ returns. Christians must strive to limit violence and seek peace, but will not succeed in eradicating the use of force before the eschaton. Until then, Scripture permits involvement in violence under lawful authority and within just constraints.
4. In all things, Christians are to be motivated by love – even when sanctioned to use force. Right intention and the mission of the gospel must guide Christians first and foremost as citizens of the kingdom of heaven.
With these principles laid out, we can turn to examining how they might apply to the question of Christians joining a militia group.
Definition and Nature of Militia Groups
To properly address whether Christians should join a militia, we need to define what militias are. The term “militia” has been used loosely in recent decades, but there are a few key characteristics:
– They are private paramilitary groups, not officially part of national armed forces. They are composed of private citizens.
– They engage in organized paramilitary training and preparation. Militia groups often conduct combat drills, weapons training, survivalist exercises, and tactical preparations.
– They generally advocate armed resistance against perceived threats or tyrannical government overreach. Many militia groups are driven by conspiratorial or extremist anti-government sentiments.
– Their legitimacy, as private armed groups, is legally debatable. U.S. militias are protected under the Second Amendment but their activities can raise questions.
So in summary, militias are private, armed citizens groups training for military resistance against perceived enemies, tyranny, or threat scenarios. With this background, we can examine how biblical principles speak to potential Christian involvement.
Militant Resistance Against Government
A significant concern regarding militia groups is that they often declare willingness to take up arms against governing authorities. However, the New Testament contains strong exhortations to submit to civil government.
Several key passages address this:
Romans 13:1-2 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”
1 Peter 2:13-17 – “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…honor the emperor. Live as free people, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil.”
Titus 3:1 – “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient.”
While civil disobedience may be warranted against unjust laws, violent resistance is very difficult to justify biblically. Only in the most extreme cases of tyrannical injustice would armed rebellion even potentially be permissible. And the New Testament prefers enduring injustice over rebellion in most cases. So the anti-government ethos of many militias is concerning from a biblical standpoint. Joining a group planning armed resistance to governing authorities should be troubling to Christians.
Self-Defense and Protection of Others
A related issue is how militias justify their existence as necessary for self-defense and protecting others. This aligns with biblical principles more cleanly at first glance.
Defense of self and other innocent lives against evil is arguably justifiable in Scripture:
– Jesus tells his disciples, “let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one” (Luke 22:36), equipping them for anticipated opposition.
– Nehemiah’s builders worked with weapons ready to defend against potential attack (Nehemiah 4:16-18).
– Protection of others is emphasized (Nehemiah 4:14; Esther 8:11).
– The Old Testament law codes permit self-defense (Exodus 22:2-3).
However, joining a private militia as opposed to serving in duly established civil authorities such as military and police is questionable for Christians. Militias often take an aggressively defensive posture based on speculative threat scenarios rather than sober last-resort. And their training focuses heavily on offensive attack capacity, not just pure self-defense. So while defense of innocents is Biblically justifiable, militias may stretch its meaning.
Christian Citizenship and Subjection to Authority
A key biblical principle is subjection to civil authorities. Joining a militia puts Christians in a potentially adversarial posture against governing powers God has instituted.
The Bible urges believers to be model citizens:
– Romans 13:1,5 – “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed.”
– Jeremiah 29:7 – “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
– Proverbs 24:21 – “My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise.”
– 1 Peter 2:13 – “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.”
Joining militias opposed to current governing authorities and advocating resistance puts Christians in an adversarial stance against those whom God has sovereignly installed. This contradicts the repeated biblical command to submit to worldly authorities.
Serving a Higher Authority
The Bible reminds believers that their allegiance is ultimately to God’s kingdom above any earthly powers:
– Acts 5:29 – “We must obey God rather than men.”
– Matthew 22:21 – “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
– Philippians 3:20 – “Our citizenship is in heaven.”
Christians are to obey authorities unless directly contradicting God’s commands. But joining a militia could entangle and compromise their primary allegiance. Believers must consider whether militia involvement promotes or hinders their role as ambassadors for Christ’s kingdom.
The Character and Mission of Followers of Christ
Beyond directly applicable commands, Christians deciding on militia membership must examine whether it accords with the character and mission Christ calls us to as disciples.
Scripture outlines virtues and duties guiding believers’ conduct:
– Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers.”
– Matthew 26:52 – “Put your sword back in its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
– Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”
– Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
As well as sinful attitudes to avoid:
– James 4:1 – “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”
– Galatians 5:19-21 – “Enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger…I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
– Matthew 6:15 – “If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Joining militias out of animosity, fear, love of conflict, unforgiveness, or desire for power would directly violate Christian imperatives. Christians must consider how militia involvement affects their representation of Christ’s character.
Guidance Moving Forward
Rather than definitive yes or no answers, the biblical principles above provide guidance for Christians considering joining militias:
– Pray for wisdom and examine motivations honestly before God. Self-defense, desire for order, fear, anger, and other reasons may all be factors.
– Ensure the militia’s activities and stances align with Scripture. Many promote concerning conspiracy theories and语unbiblical positions.
– Consider whether there are other ways to pursue justice and protect innocents without militia involvement.
– Remember that Christians’ core identity and allegiance is to the kingdom of God, which may be compromised by becoming entangled in military resistance.
In summary, the Bible does not expressly forbid militia participation in all situations. But it provides wisdom and principles that should give most Christians significant pause about joining groups planning armed resistance. There are certainly alternative avenues for fulfilling believers’ duties of citizenry, self-defense, and pursuit of justice that do not require militia involvement. Christians are blessed to have the Bible as a lamp to their feet in navigating these difficult questions.
Analysis of Common Counter Arguments
Some Christians argue the Bible condones or even recommends militia activity in the current times:
1. Jesus said to sell a cloak and buy a sword, so He endorsed armed resistance. However, at the time Jesus had not yet been crucified. And shortly after making that statement, He rebuked Peter for actually using a sword (Matthew 26:52-54). This shows buying swords was preparation for fulfillment of prophecy, not endorsing violence.
2. Old Testament war verses support militant action. While true, Israel was a theocracy acting at the command of God, which does not directly authorize modern militia activity which lacks divine directive.
3. Pastors should preach the Bible, not pacifism. Certainly, Scripture should be taught comprehensively. But its teachings lead away from violence in most cases and promote peacemaking.
4. Christians must defend the weak against wickedness. This is true, but joining private militias is arguably not the only or best approach. Serving through ethical, established authorities may offer better alternatives.
5. America was founded through armed uprising. However, as a pagan nation America is not necessarily a model for Christians. The Bible must direct God’s people first and foremost.
6. We must resist tyranny today. But violent resistance against governing authorities is prohibited in all cases except the most extreme unrestrained evil. And militias often employ questionable definitions of tyranny driven by partisan agendas and conspiracy theories.
In conclusion, counterarguments do not provide sufficient biblical basis to override the extensive biblical teachings identified earlier giving pause to Christians considering militia involvement.
Practical Considerations Beyond Biblical Factors
Beyond the biblical issues discussed above, there are several practical considerations that should inform a thoughtful Christian’s decision making on potential militia participation:
Legal status – Militia groups often operate in legally gray areas, raising risks of arrest, lawsuit, or investigation. Christians are to live as law-abiding citizens (Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13). Joining a militia can jeopardize this.
Extremist connections – Some militias have ties to overtly racist, anti-Semitic, or otherwise unbiblical movements. Christians should avoid entangling associations (2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11).
Personal safety – Militia training and activities can risk life and health. Christians should exercise wisdom in avoiding unnecessary danger (Proverbs 22:3).
Time commitments – Militia involvement requires major investments of time which could be better spent on spiritual disciplines, family, and ministry. Christians must redeem the time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5).
Associations – Relationships formed in militia contexts can hinder a believer’s Christian witness. Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Financial costs – Militias often require expensive purchases of weapons, gear, and training courses. Christians should steward money prudently for kingdom purposes (Luke 16:10-11).
Without condemning all forms of militia participation, considering these common sense factors should lead most Christians to conclude that joining militias would be unwise, unnecessary, and an unhelpful distraction from biblical priorities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Bible does not expressly prohibit militia participation in all situations, significant biblical principles and practical considerations should give most Christians serious pause about joining groups training for military resistance. The biblical ideals of peacemaking, submission to authorities, witness, and avoiding entangling alliances suggest that joining militias should be, at minimum, a very rare exception for believers rather than the norm. Wise application of Scripture could potentially allow room for participating under very specific conditions for certain Christians. However, prayerful examination by most Bible-following Christians will likely lead them to conclude that joining a militia is unwise and unhelpful for pursuing their primary mission as citizens of God’s kingdom. The Bible provides abundant resources for directing God’s people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly in navigating these complex issues.