There is a lot of discussion about Ron Paul’s “nutty” foreign policy which has caused many to take a serious look at this thing called non- interventionism. Non – interventionism is a foreign policy which holds that political rulers should avoid alliances with other nations, while maintaining diplomacy, and avoid all wars except in self-defense. This is based on the grounds that a state should not interfere in the internal politics of another state, based upon the principles of Freedom and Liberty. Some famous supporters of non-interventionism are US Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Unfortunately, the press has made a side show mockery of the foreign policy of our founding fathers in their effort to demean and marginalize believers in non-interventionism. Their effort has been largely effective but at what cost? The second and I believe more importantly is that in their effort they have created a pro war mentality in Patriots and Christians that is most disturbing. We have forgotten why we as a nation were and should be anti-war. We must hold to the belief that, ALL wars are bad and only some are necessary,

When war becomes a national policy the result is freedom and liberties are lost. James Madison said it best when he said, “No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” Thomas Jefferson said, “Having seen the people of
all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars and prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, and riddance of public debt, believing that these were the high road to public as well as private prosperity and happiness.”  Americas first President George Washington said, “Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.” The big question is; if it was good for our nation’s founding and practiced by our founding fathers what changed?  Is it the principles that changed or the people? Of course we know the answer because principles never change and people always do.

As a Christian I have a Biblical world view, so let’s look at war from a Biblical perspective. The source of war according to the Bible is sin. It is sin that brought evil into this world and it is sin that causes men to do evil things. James 4:1-3 says it best, ‘From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

If we know what the enemy is then we can know how to defeat it. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, ‘for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) “Trying to defeat sin using guns and bombs is like trying to kill an elephant with a fly swatter, it simply won’t work and end up causing great harm to ourselves. Of course the answer is to use spiritual weapons instead. In Ephesians 6:12-13 it says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

But what does the Bible say about the carnal war? What do you think we should have done in WWII when a nation like Germany commits such great atrocities against humanity? According to the Bible some war is unavoidable, Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. In the Bible there are many examples of how God used the people as instruments of His wrath. Romans 13:4 explains it this way, “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. So while God teaches us to avoid and eschew war he also give examples of when war is justified.

But what exactly is a “Just War”? St. Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas are considered the authors of the Just War theory. There premise is first that it is a fundamental Christian belief that war should be eliminated and peace and brotherly love should be promoted throughout the world. Secondly, they believe that in an imperfect world there will be time when war cannot be avoided and ultimately forced upon those who have no desire for war. The basic tenants of a Just war are as
follows:

1.      Just Cause – Only a defensive war is legitimate.

2.      Just intent – The purpose of a just war is to create peace.

3.      Last resort – A just war is the last resort for the combatants.

4.      Formally declared – No just war should be fought without a formal declaration by the highest authority.

5.      Limited objectives – If the purpose of war is peace, then total economic, political or social destruction can never be the end.

6.      Proportional means – Force should be limited to stop aggression and deter future attacks.

7.      Non-combatant Immunity – Individuals not contributing to the conflict should be exempt from attack.

These are the fundamental principles of a Just War and should be adhered to in the event war is inevitable.

A good book to read is War: Four Christian Views by Robert G.Clouse.

The conclusion of the matter is rather quite simple. First All wars are bad only, some are necessary. Secondly, wars and foreign entanglements were looked upon by our founders as bad and endangered freedom and liberty. Thirdly, if you are a believer we must understand war is not an option but rather a last resort. By the way that is the definition for non- interventionism. So the next time you hear or read reports from the main stream media slamming non-interventionism remind them that non-interventionism IS main stream and war was and never will be.