The noncombatancy position held by Seventh-day Adventists has been given attention by the church's Biblical Research Institute.
The noncombatancy position held by Seventh-day Adventists has been given attention by the church’s Biblical Research Institute. In the October issue of its newsletter, Reflections, Dr. Ekkehardt Mueller, associate director of BRI, addresses the issue of noncombatancy in the wake of the recent war in Iraq.
The article restates the church’s long-held view on the issue—it advocates noncombatancy. “In different parts of the world church the Iraqi war and other events have triggered a lively discussion on the question of where the Seventh-day Adventist Church stands today and how we should relate to war,” Mueller writes.
“Some claim ‘There are no indications that our Adventist Church today disapproves serving in the army in whatever capacity.’ They say that ‘the present state is one of uncertainty on the Adventist position regarding serving in the military.’ This is not quite true. While the church ministers to noncombatant members in the military, as well as to pacifists and combatants, it recognizes that individuals make free choices and have to follow their informed conscience.”
Mueller adds that the church’s position on noncombatancy has never been revoked. From the first statement adopted during the American Civil War, the church has recommended noncombatancy.
“Around the world we really appreciate freedoms of religious exercise,” says Dick Stenbakken, director for Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries. “But you don’t get freedom to worship for free. That freedom of worship that we so much claim to and desire is paid for with blood of people who fight to be sure that there is freedom. So it’s a difficult decision. Do I pay you to fight for me so that I can be free? I think the position the church has taken…is a wise choice because it does give guidance but it does not prescribe. I think in a global community, that’s the best you can do.”
Stenbakken refers to some countries where people are not given a choice: they must serve with a weapon, or go to jail. “Some say, ‘Well, you go to jail.’ It’s got to be an individual choice…It’s not a cookie-cutter question.”
He continues, “I think that sometimes in the struggle, while it’s not fun and it’s not easy, that’s where we grow. And then the decision becomes something that’s part of me, rather than me coat-tailing on someone else’s decision.”
The long-standing official position of the church is expressed in its 1972 statement. “Genuine Christianity manifests itself in good citizenship and loyalty to civil government. The breaking out of war among men in no way alters the Christian’s supreme allegiance and responsibility to God or modifies their obligation to practice their beliefs and put God first. This partnership with God through Jesus Christ who came into this world not to destroy men’s lives but to save them causes Seventh-day Adventists to advocate a noncombatant position, following their divine Master in not taking human life, but rendering all possible service to save it.”
Find the Adventist Church’s statement on noncombatancy at http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/main_stat52.html Find .Ekkehardt Mueller’s article on noncombatancy at
http://biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org/documents/noncombatancy.htm
