War is often dressed up in the language of necessity, honor, or defense—but at its core, it asks us to abandon our humanity. It demands that we dehumanize others, justify violence, and accept suffering as inevitable.
For those who look to Jesus Christ as a moral guide, this creates a profound contradiction. His teachings consistently point in the opposite direction: love your enemies, bless those who curse you, turn the other cheek, and care for the least among us. There is no footnote that says, “unless it’s politically inconvenient” or “unless we feel justified.”
War thrives on fear and division. Jesus’ message dismantles both. It calls us to radical compassion, even when it feels impossible. It insists that reconciliation is stronger than retaliation, and that peace is not passive—it’s an active, courageous choice.
If we truly take those teachings seriously, then war isn’t just tragic—it’s incompatible. Not because the world is simple, but because the call to love is uncompromising.
The question isn’t whether war can be justified. It’s whether we’re willing to live as if love actually means something.
This article was written by Don Watkins with assistance from ChatGPT (OpenAI, GPT-5.3).