Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Having retired after working as a civilian (Civil Service) employee of the Army for 35 years assuring the serviceability of its stockpile of ammunition (a role into which I clearly perceived God as having led me), I believe that both faith and arms have a role to play.

There are very active and powerful forces of evil in the world (both military and spiritual). It is not incompatible with Christian belief to take material actions on a national level, both for self-protection, and in defense of others. 

When soldiers came to John the Baptist asking him what they should do, John did not tell them to lay down their arms. He told them not to extort money or make false accusations, and to be content with their wages (Luke 3:13-14).

Similarly, Jesus did not tell the Roman centurion who came to Him seeking healing for his servant that He could not help him based on the centurion's occupation, but instead commended him for his faith in Jesus' ability to heal him just by His command, without needing to be in his physical presence (Matthew 8:5-13).

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Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Psalm 44:3 reads, "for not by their own sword did they win the land,
nor did their own arm save them,
but your right hand and your arm,
and the light of your face,
for you delighted in them."

Israel's victories did not depend on their own weaponry or military might but on the Lord. Speaking of "depending" consider Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the Lord our God."
— Psalm 20:7 (NET) = New English Translation.

Might does not make right. Stockpiling weapons does not guarantee success. It actually might work against us. God wants our trust, our dependence on him like most parents do when they have kids. You see, God says, "Not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6.

"And though we live as human beings, we DO NOT WAGE WAR according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments..." 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, one of the Beatitudes,

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Again in the New Testament, Paul advises us as Christians, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18

From what I've said so far you might think that I'm a dove, not a hawk. Romans 13:1-5 say that we are to obey our government. God's agent does not bear the sword in vain. (Romans 13:4)
Evil exists in the world. Sometimes force is needed to counter it. Jesus said, "Let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one."
(Luke 22:36). 

When I was first saved and had started reading the New Testament primarilly, I become a CO, a conscientious objector. The Viet Nam War was going on, and I received the classification from the government, 1A. That meant I would be among the first to be called up in the draft. I had heard bad things about the Viet Nam war so I was against it. But when I told my pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church (Arizona), he convinced me not to be a conscientious objector, or go as a medic. So I changed. At the time I wanted to go into the ministry, so the government reclassified me as "Ministerial Deferrment, 4D", I think it was. It might have been 2 D (for students), I don't recall. This was 60 years ago. I was going full-time to a Bible college and from there straight to seminary.

Since that time I saw all the sacrifices American youth were doing for the USA, and so I have become very patriotic. I appreciate more than ever 
those who are willing to sacrifice even their own lives to defend our beloved country, America--defending all our freedoms that we enjoy here. I posted the most photos of family in the service, at my workplace when they asked for it. (family having served or are currently serving in the military). I am proud to be an American!

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