Writes Paul Genader:
On the Blog you ask about Christians making dubious conclusions from the Old Testament. Indeed your site and Blog have touched the subject of American Christians and war often. Being a Christian myself as well as a libertarian I have frequently found myself at odds with the brethren on issues of liberty, support for the State, the constitution, the GOP, war and biblical principles. The O.T. examples of Israel conquering the "Promised Land" and putting everyone to the sword is frequently cited by modern US "followers of Christ" as an example of how America should deal with its enemies in a Godly manner hence they feel no guilt when calling for nuking cities in the Mid East, China or France or from the historical events like our WWII carpet bombing of civilian centers.Somehow they understand on one hand that the Bible is God's revelation to mankind of our origins and His plan for us throughout history and into eternity yet contort it on the other hand to justify government policy of murder and theft - things they strongly object to on an individual basis but strongly approve of in the collective. To my understanding the examples of ancient Israel's conquest are spiritual illustrations of the sinful world in rebellion against God, God choosing a remnant for salvation and blessing and judgment falling on the rest through God's handiwork. Taking God's handling of sinners and illustrations of judgment and damnation and using them as models for worldly governmental action is a twisted and grievous interpretation and usage.
I humbly submit an explanation for this phenomenon. In 2 Timothy, chapter 3 the Apostle Paul warns of perils to come I believe within the church which has become a reflection of the world at large. He mentions "silly women" being "led away" with "diverse lusts." This "silly women" remark has long been a sore spot with feminists and those under their influence but it is a most appropriate metaphor if one understands it as a generalized symbol of people being governed by emotion. Generally speaking women are emotional and it is understood that when in a high state of emotion one does not employ logic i.e. sound reasoning. American Christians are guilty of several forms of being silly.First, having "itching ears" they have fallen into dubious "End Times" interpretations of certain Biblical passages and formed a political world view around them. Those of this belief have been amusingly labeled recently as the "Armageddon lobby." Secondly they have given credit to the US government for actions of the church. Missionaries sent out by individual churches located in America have long aided the poor and suffering in third world countries yet I've often heard Christians cite these things as examples of all the good America has done in the world.
Thus they see America as a force for good and become angered when confronted with historical facts about government actions that contradict their beliefs like how in 1898 the US grabbed the Philippines from Spain to show how concerned it was over human rights abuses in Cuba or the financial reasons behind the US entry into WWI or how today US interventions are always in locations, coincidentally, where there are key natural resources or in strategic proximity to said resources and these same actions, coincidentally, benefit US corporations by cutting out the competition, inconvenient middle men or troublesome governments.
Finally many Christians like much of the public at large have succumbed to the Sports Fan Syndrome i.e. they root for their favorite team and live large vicariously through its achievements. In this case the team is the nation. This explains why even some of those who claim to believe in limited government are hostile towards alternative views on the history of WWII or the Cold War, Tom DiLorenzo's The Real Lincoln or your site's anti war stance.
I've encountered some when arguing the erroneously named Civil War who might grudgingly admit that the States had the right to secede but they're glad the North won and kept the country together. This sadly sums things up well. Their loyalty is not to the principles of liberty; their love is not of living free and prosperous. Their pride swells and emotions ride high at the thought of being the most ass kicking, undefeated champion the world has ever seen and being free, democratic and Christian just makes the champ all the more lovable. Unfortunately they have adopted a policy of willful blindness towards their champion's actual achievements and not so well concealed intentions and have long ago forgotten the Biblical admonition that pride cometh before the fall.
