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Welcome to Ichthus Christian Fellowship, a London-based movement of churches.
Under the leadership of Roger and Faith Forster, Ichthus has a mandate from God to evangelise London and the nations by planting churches of Christ-exalting, Bible-loving believers, committed to the Lord Jesus, to His mission and to one another. Ichthus exists to bring the salvation, power and Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ to the nations. Click here to find out more. |
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Can war be just?
by Roger Forster
Some of the most outstanding Christians I've met have been in the military. Just as the Centurion was commended by Jesus (Matthew 8), a military career does not seem to stop a man having great faith. I hold all servicemen in high regard, particularly Christians. Whilst I recognise that the problems of their calling have increased with the growing investment in nuclear weapons, my respect for them as individuals has not diminished.
Conflicting views and reconciled relationships
On the other hand, my understanding of Jesus' mind regarding peace and violence has developed over the years and is in some degree in conflict with the position that someone in the military would probably take. I would not allow this conflict to destroy fellowship, because God is a God of reconciliation and this means that I must be reconciled to those whose ideas are alien or even hostile to mine, even if I can't be reconciled to their doctrines.
However Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and one of his first comments in the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5) is, 'Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God'. Undoubtedly they receive this name because they express his character.
How can we understand war, particularly in this age of nuclear threat? In answer it is first necessary to look at the Church's response to warfare.
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