Obedient to Death
Last September, the President signed an Executive Order to have the “Department of Defense” take on the title, “Department of War.” This was the department’s original name prior to 1949. So why was it changed in the first place?
There were actually a number of reasons, but the primary motivation was because living in the shadow of World War II prompted a reevaluation of military branding. The United States wanted to project strength and security to other nations, not aggressiveness.
Arguably, World War II was the last major conflict that Americans collectively felt positive about. So much so, they were given the (not so modest) name “the Greatest Generation.” Our views towards war, post-Vietnam, has been increasingly more divided with each conflict.
Perhaps this is where Saint Augustine’s Just war doctrine has merit. Although, some can find no justification for armed conflict (i.e. pacifists), self-defense and right intentions are a couple of factors that even the most non-violent among us can at least understand, even if there is still disagreement.
Yet, a billion-dollar, military-industrial complex, unhinged nationalism and authoritarianism, has made war so financially lucrative and ideologically satisfying to those who espouse to such rhetoric; that finding “pure” intentions for combat is a dwindling ideal.
We started this Lenten season with the Gospel reading of Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by Satan (Matt. 4:1-11). And one of the temptations Satan offers is the “kingdoms of the world” in exchange for Christ’s veneration. Jesus does not refute Satan’s claim about his “ownership” of kingdoms, rather he replies, “It is written worship and serve the Lord alone.”
Satan is indeed very busy creating mayhem, death and destruction through men who succumb to the lure of power and greed. Until the world’s rulers understand the cycle of war is not ceased by instilling fear or sowing seeds of death (of which future generations will reap in bitterness); then we will be doomed to repeat the past. One we have seen before. Detention camps for ethnic groups blamed for societies’ woes. A national identity cemented in the hollow belief of racial superiority. And the threat of global annihilation.
And yet, in the end, “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.” (Phil. 2:10)
Why? Because Jesus is a tyrant who demands the nations of the world to follow him or else face his wrath? No, it’s because of the preceding verses:
He humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name… (Phil. 2:8-9)
It’s always easier to give orders to send others to be sacrificed, then having to go make the sacrifice themself.
