The latest conflict in Gaza, that sliver of land lying on the coast of the Mediterranean, saw Israel destroy homes, buildings, communities and of course lives in response to the rocket attacks upon their people. This raises the questions: Can there be peace in the Middle East? What about for the innocent? Or for those guilty of pursuing war?
As a grade nine student, I remember vividly the Yom Kippur War. This was my first exposure to the conflict in the Middle East. It was certainly the first time I was aware of names like Golda Meir, Shimon Peres, Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, people who have become widely known as the architects of modern Israel.
It was also the first time I was aware that the North American Church, for the most part, had a strong bias as to the outcome of these conflicts. Whether from church pulpits or over coffee, discussions between Christians seemed to support the violence of war and were accompanied by prayers that Israel would win. And win they did, convincingly.
However, I struggled with the violence that was encouraged─it seemed to me─by those who were trying to live out the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Are we peacemakers? Do we pursue, pray and work for peace? Not peace at any cost─that's compromise─but peace for those who are innocent? I'm thinking about more than just a lack of conflict, as war can be just as devastating to those unable to access food, water and medical attention.
There may be no easy answers to this conflict. The topic may raise a few emotional eyebrows. So, I raise this simple question: Can there be peace for the innocent without peace for the culpable?
Major Fred Waters is an Area Commander in the Prairie & Northern Territories Division. Edmonton and the north is his perspective presently on family, friends and ministry. Fred enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and gardening. Together with his wife, Wendy, he has shared in the experiences of youth ministry, corps officership and administration.
As a grade nine student, I remember vividly the Yom Kippur War. This was my first exposure to the conflict in the Middle East. It was certainly the first time I was aware of names like Golda Meir, Shimon Peres, Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, people who have become widely known as the architects of modern Israel.
It was also the first time I was aware that the North American Church, for the most part, had a strong bias as to the outcome of these conflicts. Whether from church pulpits or over coffee, discussions between Christians seemed to support the violence of war and were accompanied by prayers that Israel would win. And win they did, convincingly.
However, I struggled with the violence that was encouraged─it seemed to me─by those who were trying to live out the words of Jesus: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).
Are we peacemakers? Do we pursue, pray and work for peace? Not peace at any cost─that's compromise─but peace for those who are innocent? I'm thinking about more than just a lack of conflict, as war can be just as devastating to those unable to access food, water and medical attention.
There may be no easy answers to this conflict. The topic may raise a few emotional eyebrows. So, I raise this simple question: Can there be peace for the innocent without peace for the culpable?
Major Fred Waters is an Area Commander in the Prairie & Northern Territories Division. Edmonton and the north is his perspective presently on family, friends and ministry. Fred enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and gardening. Together with his wife, Wendy, he has shared in the experiences of youth ministry, corps officership and administration.
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