Whenever I hear about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I keep thinking of the opening line of the Leonard Cohen song The Partisan: “When they poured across the border, I was cautioned to surrender, this I could not do.”
Though I respect your thoughts, by response would be that I suspect you are ignoring the role the US and western nations are playing in this war. The only way one could defend this as a just war is to suppose that it is all Russia's fault. And though they are indeed largely to blame, and though Putin not a person that I would ever defend, the US is not innocent.
Biblically speaking, if the nations of the world are the Beast, then how could we ever fight for them and defend their actions. They have a stake in the game and their own interests to defend.
An interesting response to the question! It shows how complicated these times of decisions are. One could argue that perhaps we must fight to defend the Ukraine first, or there may not be anything left to evangelize.
I'm a little surprised to read that. But then, maybe not.
The US Army Chaplain that I am, I've sometimes wondered if our model of chaplaincy is too focused on the operational side of ministry. This problem almost being as if we weren't spiritually sensitive enough by fusing our soldier and pastoral identities.
Perhaps I'm more comfortable in knowing that I can support a war effort more effectively as a chaplain than as a combatant. Or, in the words of my former commander, "Don't ever feel like you're not going enough chaplain. I'm not trading one good chaplain for a bad infantryman."
I think that might be my difference. I believe it easier to recruit a chaplain than an infantryman, or in your case, an intel professional. That may be a difference of perceptions, or a difference in our models of ministry and military recruiting.
Though I respect your thoughts, by response would be that I suspect you are ignoring the role the US and western nations are playing in this war. The only way one could defend this as a just war is to suppose that it is all Russia's fault. And though they are indeed largely to blame, and though Putin not a person that I would ever defend, the US is not innocent.
Biblically speaking, if the nations of the world are the Beast, then how could we ever fight for them and defend their actions. They have a stake in the game and their own interests to defend.
An interesting response to the question! It shows how complicated these times of decisions are. One could argue that perhaps we must fight to defend the Ukraine first, or there may not be anything left to evangelize.
Did you and Scot, my doctoral supervisor, know what the other was blogging on today? Fascinating contrast!
I'm a little surprised to read that. But then, maybe not.
The US Army Chaplain that I am, I've sometimes wondered if our model of chaplaincy is too focused on the operational side of ministry. This problem almost being as if we weren't spiritually sensitive enough by fusing our soldier and pastoral identities.
Perhaps I'm more comfortable in knowing that I can support a war effort more effectively as a chaplain than as a combatant. Or, in the words of my former commander, "Don't ever feel like you're not going enough chaplain. I'm not trading one good chaplain for a bad infantryman."
I think that might be my difference. I believe it easier to recruit a chaplain than an infantryman, or in your case, an intel professional. That may be a difference of perceptions, or a difference in our models of ministry and military recruiting.
“I know liberal democracies are not perfect, but they are sure as hell better than the alternatives of communism, caliphate, or...”
What are a couple of the best resources explaining and arguing for just war?