Biblical Answer

The Question of Redemption in War

The question of whether our actions in war can be considered a form of redemption is complex and multifaceted. On one hand, advocates of particular redemption argue that God's redemption is specific to individuals who have faith in Jesus Christ. This raises questions about the nature of redemption and its relationship to human actions. If redemption is particular, does that mean that our actions in war are not a form of redemption? On the other hand, those who hold to general redemption argue that redemption is available to all people, regardless of their faith. This raises questions about the nature of redemption and its relationship to human actions. If redemption is general, does that mean that our actions in war can be a form of redemption?

Criteria for Legitimate War

To address the question of whether our actions in war can be considered a form of redemption, we need to consider the criteria for legitimate war. Scripture teaches that our weapons of warfare are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (2 Corinthians 10:4). This suggests that our actions in war can be morally legitimate if they are done with the right intentions. According to Scripture, the only legitimate intention is to secure a just or fair peace for friend and foe alike, ruling out revenge, conquest, economic gain, or domination (Romans 12:17-21). If our actions in war are done with the intention of securing a just peace, can they be considered a form of redemption?

The Scriptural Fact of God's Purpose in Man's Redemption

The scriptural fact of God's purpose in man's redemption is that it is not grounded in the moral actions of men. Scripture teaches that redemption is not based on human merit or achievement, but rather on God's sovereign purpose (Romans 3:24-26, Ephesians 2:8-9). This means that our actions in war cannot be a form of redemption if they are based on human merit or achievement. However, if our actions in war are done with the right intentions, and are part of a larger effort to secure a just peace, then they may be considered a form of redemption. This is because redemption is not just about individual salvation, but also about the redemption of creation (Romans 8:19-23). If our actions in war are part of a larger effort to redeem creation, then they may be considered a form of redemption. Ultimately, the question of whether our actions in war can be considered a form of redemption depends on our intentions and the context in which we act. If our intentions are to secure a just peace, and our actions are part of a larger effort to redeem creation, then they may be considered a form of redemption.