Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
What comes to your mind when I mention the phrase ‘holy war’? I suspect that for most of us that phrase evokes very unpleasant thoughts and images. I think of the sad headlines that seem to confront us daily with the news of yet another terrorist attack–a ‘holy war’ being waged by radical, demonically inspired followers of an anti-Christian religion who have declared war on the whole world, and are even this moment planning for their apocalyptic grand finale that will usher in the kingdom they believe is coming. Those words ‘holy war’ are deeply offensive to the moral sensibilities of civilized people everywhere, and for good reason! But there is something else that we must deal with.
The staunch critics of the Gospel and the Bible are aiming their big guns at those of us who confess the name of Jesus, and precisely along this trajectory. According to the skeptics, we Christians have no moral right to question or criticize the practitioners of Islamic jihad because our Sacred Book and its message is also about war, ‘holy war.’ They turn to the pages of the Old Testament, the Book of Joshua in particular, and say, ‘See how the armies of God slaughtered the Canaanites, sparing not even the women and the children, the innocent non-combatants!’ And, ‘See how the God of the Old Testament advances His kingdom with the sword, the sword of men like Joshua, son of Nun!’ One recent critic has even called Christianity itself a “religion of terrorism,” no better than that twisted, hate-filled ideology that for fifteen centuries has moved its fanatical devotees to carry out the worst possible atrocities in the name of their false god and prophet!
Well, are these critics right? Should we as followers of Jesus and believers of the Bible be embarrassed by the contents of our Holy Book? Should we, as others are now suggesting, apologize to the world for what we believe and preach? Should we, for the sake of evangelism, alter our story and modify our basic message in order to respond to modern sensitivities and convictions? Should we rip the Old Testament from the canon and renounce it as the immoral vision of a primitive deity who is filled with rage, a deity far different than the one encountered in the New Testament–a God of love and mercy–a Savior who was non-violent and taught only a message of toleration and peace?
The truth is, when we begin to investigate the Book of Joshua we come to that section of the Word of God that, according to one Christian theologian, does indeed raise the “most difficult ethical issue” we could face. For here in this inspired Book we do find war, conquest, bloodshed, massacre, the annihilation of entire kingdoms, and all of it at the direct command of our God! The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
This Lord’s Day we will begin our journey through these deep theological waters. Our text will once again be Joshua 1:10-18, and from this Holy Word we will extract some eternal truths about the Gospel we confess–that ‘Good News’ story of both judgment and mercy! And in the end we will come to understand the story of Joshua and his people from a much broader vantage point, and we will see why it’s in the Bible and should remain there! For after all, this Book provides us with the account of the only true ‘holy war’ there has ever been or ever shall be. Let us humbly pray for wisdom and illumination as we sit under the proclamation of the Word of our Great and Sovereign God.
Announcements
Don’t Forget that Our Wednesday Night Parents Seminar Kicks off This Coming Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Church. For all the details see our website or your Sunday Bulletin.
And then, help us spread the word that our New Member’s/Inquirer’s Class will be held on Sunday February 21 and Sunday February 28 from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Church. Childcare will be provided. Those interested can sign-up in the Narthex.
I love you all, and look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
In His amazing grace,
Mike