Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
The fifth commandment has two common translations, “Thou shall not murder” and “Thou shall not kill”. As we remember those who have died in war, our veterans who served, our current military, and the future young men and women who accept the call to serve in the military for our county, the fifth commandment can be troubling to think about: Are these soldiers going against God’s great commandments as they go out to war? Many people can cling to, “Thou shall not murder,” as the right translation. This points out that in the time of battle any death is not murder. It is a battle with casualties as a consequence. Many people can cling to, “Thou shall not kill,” as the right translation. This can have an anti-war/pro-peace mentality which feels all killing must be ended; therefore they would discourage someone from serving in the military. Here is what Martin Luther had to say when interpreting the fifth commandment: “We are to fear and love God, so that we neither endanger nor harm the lives of our neighbors, but instead help and support them in all of life’s needs.” This explanation certainly sees peace as the first and foremost importance. At the same time, the final part of the explanation calls us to help and support our neighbors. Another way is that we are called to defend our neighbors. This leaves the door open for military service to defend this country and our neighbors both local and abroad. Love and peace is always first and foremost the goal of God. Jesus put the weight of the sin of the world on his shoulders so that we could have such love and peace. The freedom we achieve through this allows us to freely answer the call to serve our country. The freedom we have in Christ allows us to recognize: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) I know I am thankful for those willing to accept the call to serve our country. God’s blessings be to the soldiers of today and tomorrow. I give God thanks for those who have served and those who have died while serving. Points to Ponder:
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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