Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, April 25
Review your notes on Sunday’s sermon. Consider your own position on
war. In what ways did the sermon raise questions or cause you to reconsider
your position? What are some of the ethical considerations that were raised
about war? Do you feel war is ever justified? If so, in what situations? Where
can you agree with those who differ from you? Offer a prayer for peace.
Tuesday, April 26
Look at the official United Methodist position on war found printed in your
bulletin. What are some Christian ethical foundations you see here? Where
does this UMC position challenge the position of modern culture, modern countries
and common religious practice regarding war? Does this position of the UMC
surprise you? What part of this position can you agree with? Offer a prayer
for an end of war and violence.
Wednesday, April 27
Jesus and the early Christians up to 275 AD were practicing pacifists. They
believed that the circle of violence and hatred should be broken. Read Romans
12:14-21 and Matthew 5:38-45. How did they retaliate for violence shown to
them? Was this an effective strategy for ending violence? Do you know anyone
in the modern age who practiced non-violent resistance to evil? Is this an
ethic Christians should follow today? Offer a prayer to become a peacemaker.
Thursday, April 28
Rev. Rob pointed out that when it comes to war, people create myths to justify
and glorify their position? Think about acts of aggression and wars in the
last century, what were the reasons different countries used to justify their
actions? Do you think they all considered their cause just? In order to avoid
relativism, are there any conditions that you think should be met before a
nation goes to war? How does nationalism and patriotism fuel the power of
the state to wage war? Is it the patriotic duty of all citizens to support
their governments when they go to war? Do you feel our country was justified
in invading Iraq? What are the reasons someone who thinks differently about
this war would give for their position? Are there any points they would give
that you also could affirm or understand? Offer a prayer for understanding
and guidance.
Friday, April 29
Rev. Rob suggested that we return to Augustine’s understanding about
“just war,” that all war is evil, but sometimes necessary in very
limited situations. Therefore if war is our last option than we should undertake
it knowing that it is an evil thing that we do and we must fall on our knees
and ask God to forgive us. If war is an evil thing, should we glorify it and
feel justified in what we do? Paul reminds us that we cannot justify ourselves.
Read Romans 3:9-20. Now read the 5th Chapter of Romans that while we were
still sinners Christ died for us and even though sin abounds grace does more
abound. The conflict between our duty to the state to fight wars and our duty
to Christ to bring peace is not easily resolved. Jesus used the “Great
Commandment” (Matthew 22:37-42) as his ethical foundation. How can this
help you to decide?
First
United Methodist Church 