The article by Mark Coppenger provides a counterargument to those who believe the golden rule means Christians cannot morally go to war. Stated as “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, it is logical to assume that no one wants to be killed. The author brings up several good points, noting that Christians can go to war out of love. More men and women have been killed in peace than in war, and if a Christian is fighting to overthrow a tyrant, is it not his moral, godly duty? If a soldier is pressed into military service for a tyrant, would he not want to be defeated? Towards the end of the article, Coppenger implies that a “golden rule soldier” (Coppenger 308) does not fight for the annihilation of his enemy, and fights compassionately. Coppenger believes nonlethal combat also has importance, such as hunger and exhaustion.
Coppenger also refutes philosophical debate about the pragmatism of the golden rule, and claims that Kant’s main criticism comes from a misinterpretation of the rule itself. The best criticism of the golden rule came from war theorist P. Ramsay, who implied that Christians must choose between love of the enemy and love of the victims. Coppenger believes it is possible to love both, provided the Christian soldier fights in a moral manner.
Is it possible to win a war when your enemy is actively trying to kill you, and you prefer more pacifistic means of warfare? Regardless, Coppenger’s argument revolves solely around the New Testament, and does not make many references to the Old. Frequently throughout the Old Testament, God states though he does not revel in retribution, it is necessary for his justice. God commands the Israelites to sack entire cities and destroy their entire inhabitants, as in Jericho. This is the same God who gave us the golden rule. How are the two compatible? Coppenger states that, “The Golden Rule soldier his interest lies in preventing the enemy from doing terrible things (Coppenger 308).” The author himself believes that that means complete annihilation of the enemy might be necessary, but his argument about ignoring the enemy’s self-interest (do unto others) is weak, forming holes in the argument.
Works Cited
Coppenger, Mark. “The Golden Rule.” Criswell Theological Review (1990): 191-97. Web 1 June 2016
