Preventative War – Pre-emptive Strike Strategy

Preventative war has proved to be an effective means for protection a nation. It is not however a moral practice. The Bile promotes retaliation of the state, not preventative judgment. Judgment of man’s motives is the role of God. Pre-emptive strike strategies overstep God’s role as judge, making the practice sin and making us liable for judgment.

The Bible sets the standard for punishment when it says, “eye for an eye” (Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21). What the Bible does not say is “eye in case of the possibility of an eye.” Retribution is specific to an action. It would be immoral to cast judgment on a foreign nation for a crime which they did not commit. The United States recognizes this by legally distinguishing between murder and intent to kill. If someone’s plan to kill is found out before the act can take place, they are not charged with murder. Therefore, the same nation cannot cast judgment on another nation for a crime which it did not yet commit even if foreign intelligence reveals that there is a threat.

It can be argued that Christ said anger deserves the same punishment as murder and lust the same punishment as adultery, but Paul writes, “the Lord…will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Cor. 4.5). Certainly, in light of eternal judgment, we will be held accountable for the motives of our hearts as Jesus said, but it is not the role of man or even the role of the state to determine the motives of mans heart and to judge them. Man is only called to retribution for action, so preventative war is immoral.

Job was accurate when he said, “In his hand [the LORD] is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12.10). If every breath of life comes from God, then God will determine their end according to their actions. A foreign nation which poses a threat will either attack, resulting in a just reason to retaliate, or repent. God allows individuals the same consideration. Therefore, it is not man’s place to overstep the roles which God has established. God does not do pre-emptive judgment upon us and we should not do it to others.

Preventative war is a complicated subject; however the Bible is clear on how to determine the morality of the act. The Mosaic Law promotes retribution for action, not intent. It is the responsibility of God to judge man’s heart. To overstep God’s authority over life would be to overstep the roles which God has established. For these reason’s pre-emptive strike strategy should not be practiced.

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