WAR POSITION - After the Division with
Ashland
1940 - (Winona Conference) Re-statement of the 1936 resolutions. This is recorded on Page 5 of the Minutes (See above).
1941 - Minutes, Page 13 -- Same as 1940 1942 - Minutes, Page 17 -- Same as 1941 1943 - Minutes, Page 13 -- Same as 1942 1944 - Minutes, Page 19 -- Same as 1943 1945 - Minutes, Page 17 -- Same as 1944 1946 - Minutes, Page 21 -- Opening paragraph is same as in former years.
1947 - Minutes, Page 23 -- Same as in 1946
1948 - Minutes, Page 27 -- Same as in 1947
1949 - Minutes, Page 27 -- Same as 19.48 with added paragraph.
1950 - Minutes, Pages 11-12 -- "Resolved that we shall give to our nation in this hour of its trial, our deepest sympathy and our earnest prayers as she contends against the forces that would destroy the freedom that our fathers left us; and especially since the forces against which we battle are set to tear down the altars at which we are privileged to worship without let or hindrance. We affirm that it is our duty as Christian believers to go along with our country in her present warfare against the would be destroyer of God, and home, and human freedom, just as far as we can without violating, the expressed will of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ concerning us. At the same time, we would solemnly warn all our brethren that "in all things" Christ must have the preeminence. The Christian must never forget that it is written that Christ "is the head of the body, the church"; and "that in all things he" must "have the preeminence" (Col. 1:14).
That we reaffirm the stand that our church has taken in previous conferences in the matter of a Christian and his relation to war; namely, that the Brethren Church from her origin has been utterly opposed to the use of violence or any physical force as a means to an end, on the part of the children of God. We regard the governments of this world system as being yet unregenerate, and their methods of violence contrary to the methods God has authorized His children in the present age to use. We reaffirm that while war, as a possible method for the attainment of justice or the securing and maintenance of human liberty, may at times be deemed necessary among the unregenerate of this world system, yet, according to the teaching of our common Lord and Master, we, as His disciples, do not belong to this world's system and its methods are not our own. We are in this world and not of it, as our Master taught (John 17:10); and must maintain our, pilgrim character (Heb. 11:8-16), our citizenship already being in heaven (Phil. 3:20-21). We recognize and appreciate the protection of the United States, and to the nation that God has ordained (Rom. 13:1-7) to afford us protection, we gladly offer our service, time, money, and life itself, if necessary, to bind up its wounds, or to heal its sorrows, by any means or methods our Lord Jesus Christ has approved for the use of those who follow Him, and we pledge ourselves to pray for those in authority according to Romans 13:1-7.
Be it further resolved that we urge all ministerial examining boards to give due consideration to this historic position on war in the examination of and recommendation of candidates to both the licensure and ordination, and that, in harmony with the historic belief of the Brethren Church, they refuse such recommendation whenever the candidate is unwilling to accept this belief.
Be it further resolved that we urge each pastor and all leaders of the local church to give proper place in publicity and emphasis and instruction to this historic position so that our members may be properly informed concerning it and the Biblical authority for the same"
A STATEMENT
(Prepared
between 1942 and 1945)
Since war at last has come to our own country, and our pastors and churches are already faced with all the difficult problems involved in this catastrophe, we, as members of the special committee appointed by the recent National Fellowship of Brethren Churches, feel that some public statement should be made for the guidance of members who are making inquiries and also for the information of the general public. Speaking as a committee, we understand that we have no authority to bind the consciences of our brethren, but we believe the following statement is not only in harmony with the Biblical and historical position of our church but will also fairly represent the present feeling existing among its leadership as we have sensed it in the crisis which is upon us.
1. The Brethren Church clearly and gladly recognize the divinely ordained place of civil government in a sinful world; that the government is truly a "minister of God" in the temporal realm for the purpose of protecting human life and "to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Therefore, the nation in exercising this divinely appointed function is authorized by the Word of God to bear "the sword" against evil‑doers who may threaten the destruction of human life with its precious values of "justice" and "liberty." This divine authority and responsibility of civil government is clearly revealed in Scripture (Rom. 13:1-4), and has been recognized in former statements of the Brethren Church. (See 1940 Resolutions).
2. In the present situation, therefore, we should be ready to "be subject" to our government in every possible Christian way as set forth in Scripture (Rom. 13:5-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-14; Tit. 3:1). This, we believe, includes the provision of funds for the support and defense of the government in its divinely appointed work of protecting human life and executing wrath upon evil-doers. "For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they (government officials) are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing" (Rom. 13:6). To assist in the raising of such funds therefore, must be regarded as a Christian duty.
3. While fully recognizing the duty of the State to bear the sword against evil-doers, as sanctioned by the Scriptures we also believe the same Word of God teaches that our personal ministry as Christian believers should be exercised in spiritual matters and in the relief of human suffering, rather than in the taking of human life. As followers of Christ, citizens and. ambassadors of His heavenly kingdom (Phil. 3:20 ARV, 2 Cor. 5:20) we are required by His Word to walk even as He walked (1 John 2:6; 1 Peter 2:21-23). Therefore, we should be ready to serve our country in every possible way consistent with this Word, being willing, if necessary, to face danger and endure hardship in the performance of our duty, as long as we are not required to bear the sword personally in the taking of human life (John 18:36, Romans 12:17-21, Matt. 26:52).
4. The government of the United States has by law graciously extended to all Christian believers the privilege of choosing in what capacity they may serve their country in the present crisis; and for this liberty we are deeply grateful, knowing that it exists almost nowhere else in the world today. Some of our Brethren young men have already entered combatant military service. While this type of service is not in accord with the historic teaching of the Brethren Church, its acceptance is not made a test of membership nor a cause for discipline, because the church does not wish to coerce the consciences of men in such matters. Others of our young men have sincerely chosen non-combatant military service, which permits them to serve in the armed forces of the nation without bearing arms personally. This is entirely consistent with the historic teaching of the Brethren Church, and offers an opportunity for rendering a genuine service to our country. Still others of our young men have chosen to enter the non-military civilian service, engaging in work of national importance under civilian direction in various camps throughout the country, for which the young man receives no pay from the government and must provide for his own living (about $35 per month). This type of service is also in harmony with the teaching of the Church.
5. In whatever service they may choose to enter, we urge our young men to be faithful first to the Lord Jesus Christ their Savior, and then to serve well their country which has fostered and protected us in our liberties as Christian believers; not "with eye-service, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God" (Col. 3:22). "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God-" (1 Pet. 2:13-15). And we urge upon our pastors and people the duty of constant prayer for all these young men that they may be kept in the Lord's perfect Will, feeding upon His Word, strong in His promises, bearing witness to His saving and keeping power, walking in His commands, and looking for His Second Coming.
6. In times of war, it should be remembered, the deepest of human emotions are stirred, the judgment of men loses its normal balance, and even Christians sometimes run toward unwise extremes. We would caution our members, therefore, to give no support whatever to that unscriptural "pacificism" which denies the right of our government to defend itself by force of arms or which seeks to obstruct its military efforts. On the other hand, we urge the pastors through the teaching of the Word to guard our people from falling into the opposite error of hating those who have now become our enemies, and to resist all attempts to stir up the deadly flame of race prejudice. Let us not forget that God "Hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth" (Acts 17:26), and that "All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). If in the present conflict our own beloved nation is on the side of justice (as we believe), this is due only to the providential grace of God toward us, and not to any inherent goodness that we possess above other less favored men. Let us be thoughtful, sober, and careful how we speak.
7. Above all, there should be on our part a sense of deep humiliation and personal confession of sin because we as a Church and individual Christians have done so little to carry the Gospel of salvation to a lost world during the days of national peace and security. Only an omniscient God could possibly know what might have been accomplished in such countries as Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. if the Christian churches of America had done their full duty in missionary effort. Now those days are irrevocably past and their opportunities gone. But the present hour brings new opportunities and even greater responsibilities before God. Let us therefore, as never before, give ourselves to earnest prayer, to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God, to the winning of the lost to salvation in Christ, and to the sacrificial giving of our lives and substance to these ends, knowing that the time is short. In these things of the Spirit we may render our greatest contribution to our country and its security. We are facing a most solemn hour, and no man should even think of claiming or accepting exemption from military service, either as a Christian minister or layman, unless he is giving himself without reservation to the spiritual work of God.
8. Finally, let us not forget there is a God in heaven wholly sovereign in His will and ways, who is able to set bounds to human iniquity, and without whose permission nothing can take place in the world of nations. "Since His the sway of circumstance", the last word in human affairs belongs to Him, not to the puny dictators who now strut their little day upon earth. "He that sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision" (Psa. 2:4). In agreement with many devout students of the Word of God, we believe the ominous events of the present hour point unmistakably to one grand event - the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will speak peace to the nations, and in His days the unrealized dreams of humanity will at last come true. For those who know this "blessed hope", there can be no fear of coming things, no unseemly panic, no dark despair, no uncertainty as to the final outcome, but beyond the darkness there is a future bright with the promises of God Who never fails.
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless . . . to Him be glory both now and forever. AMEN." (2 Pet. 3:14-18).
THE
COMMITTEE
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