Opposing the Use of Force in Libya

March 23, 2011 by Jonathan Fitzgerald

Continued from Page 1

Ultimately, the intervention, conflict, or war—whatever it should be called—has begun. From a government standpoint, our President, together with other world leaders, decided that this was the best way to bring relief to the suffering Libyan people. And, again from the standpoint of world powers, force may be the only thing that can force Gaddafi's hand. Chris Hedges, author of War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning, puts it this way: "There are times when the force wielded by one immoral faction must be countered by a faction that, while never moral, is perhaps less immoral."

Those in power use force to achieve their ends. For Christians, our power is not of this world. Decisions regarding who or what is less immoral are off the table. Our role is to pray for world leaders, render to Caesar what is Caesar's, propose peaceful alternatives, and, undaunted, continue the work of Kingdom-building in the midst of the war and conflict that is always all around us.

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About Jonathan Fitzgerald

Jonathan D. Fitzgerald is the managing editor of Patrolmag.com, and writes on the various manifestations of Christianity in culture. Follow him on Twitter or at his website, www.jonathandfitzgerald.com.

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