By Jim Nichols

Children are trying to figure things out. “What does God look like? Does God sleep? When Jesus was a baby, did he know everything?” Trying not to lose all credibility, we adults do our best to give a reasonable response, but we know, do we not, we usually do not understand what we are talking about completely. Undoubtably, when children reach a certain age, they realize that about us too. There are just some things that are hard to explain.

When I was born, my father was in Italy in the Second World War; we did not meet face to face until I was fourteen months old when he returned from that war. Although he was a reluctant soldier, it was still important to him, and I was proud of him. During the aftermath of that war and the Korean War closely after, news of war and conflicts surrounded me; the military was a clear component of my young world. My mother did not approve, but a friend had a complete set of “war comic books” that I would read when I visited his house. More than once, my dad took me to a neighborhood “Army Surplus” store; one time I got a pup tent I used to sleep in our back yard. I especially liked my actual canteen and webbed waist belt; it was all quite genuine. We watched every episode of “Victory at Sea” on our new black and white television.

Where I live now, the local newspaper includes a daily column of “this day in history.” It identifies noteworthy events of the past (years, decades, or centuries); it covers a variety of topics. One recently caught my attention and reminded me of a revelation in my life.

The newspaper noted that on that date in 1965 the USS Repose was reactivated. The Repose was a “Sanctuary Ship,” commonly known as a hospital ship. Originally built and operated during WWII, it was essentially a floating hospital and was used (along with others) in that 1940’s war. Following that, it was decommissioned and then (as evidenced by the 1965 date) was “reactivated” during the Vietnam conflict. Finally, in 1970 it was decommissioned and scrapped. 

I remember when I first saw a photo of a hospital ship, easily identified by gigantic red crosses painted on both sides. I asked my father about it, and he explained that those were medical ships treating our soldiers injured in the fighting. The red crosses identified them as such, and enemy planes and ships would not attack them. The injured people were safe from subsequent harm.

My young mind began spinning at that explanation. If this is a war, is it not a goal to kill or injure opposing soldiers? Why would an opposing country refrain from continuing to attack simply because of a painted red cross on a ship? My father tried to explain the concept of “rules of war” but I was clearly confused. There are just some things that are hard to explain.

Wrestling with the concept of war (is it good or bad?) has been a consistent part of me. That has been amplified by my development as a Christian. The paradoxes are nearly overwhelming.

The news is full of items about the ongoing cost of the Iranian war, for example. That is not just money; it is an indication of what we value—as a country and as individuals. What does that say about us?

I am uneasy about my status as a follower of God through Jesus Christ and, simultaneously, a citizen of a country seemingly fomenting war so easily. Are you? I cannot 100 percent defend my position but feel that I am living with a significant moral compromise as God’s follower.

Every time a human is killed, we must understand that a person created by God has been removed from life. On what basis do we make the distinction between military violence and non-military violence?

People wiser than I have wrestled with this, but we must not give up this consideration just because it is difficult. 

I turned on the television recently and a high-quality promotion from the “Department of War” began. It was continuous battle and war scenes, shooting, bombing, planes, and ships. The only recognizable people shown were Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth. The clip ended with display of the phrase “Peace through Strength.” 

Is that consistent with Christian thought?

Jim Nichols is a retired Abilene Christian University biology professor and current hospital chaplain