The Prince of Peace vs. the God of War
December 25, 2015
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6During this Christmas season, as all Christmas seasons since the United States invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, we have been inundated with news stories about U.S. soldiers stationed overseas who are separated from their families. We are implored to send care packages to the troops because they miss their families and all the Christmas celebrations in the United States.
But this Christmas season, some—like the family in Pasadena, Texas, who put up holiday decorations in their lawn of medallions representing each branch of the military—also want to remind us that the troops are making our Christmas celebrations possible by defending our freedoms (the ones that the government is steadily taking away) and keeping us safe from terrorist attacks (unless we live in San Bernardino). The troops are stationed “over there” so we can celebrate Christmas “over here.”
And then, of course, there are the signs outside of businesses telling us to support the troops and the special prayers offered in churches on behalf of the troops. Sometimes it is the churches that have the signs.
The first and only person that deserves our attention this Christmas season is the Prince of Peace. The last person that deserves our attention is a U.S. soldier in some country where he has no business being doing things that he has no business doing.
Christians who militarize Christmas are exalting the god of war over the Prince of Peace. The two have some major differences.
The Prince of Peace bids men to come to him (Matthew 11:28); the god of war bids men to go fight foreign wars.
The Prince of Peace says it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35); the god of war says it is more blessed to kill than to be killed.
The Prince of Peace says to love your enemies (Matthew 5:44); the god of war says to kill your enemies.
The Prince of Peace is righteous (1 John 2:1); the god of war wants men to commit unrighteousness.
The Prince of Peace says to bless them that curse you (Matthew 5:44); the god of war says to curse them that curse you.
The Prince of Peace witnessed a good confession (1 Timothy 6:13); the god of war spouts lies.
The Prince of Peace says to do good to them that hate you (Matthew 5:44); the god of war says to do evil to them that hate you.
The Prince of Peace is the Son of God (Acts 9:20); the god of war is the enemy of God.
The Prince of Peace is the creator (Colossians 1:16); the god of war is the destroyer.
The Prince of Peace died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3); the god of war wants men to die for no reason.
The Prince of Peace rose from the dead (Acts 26:23); the god of war sends men to their deaths.
The Prince of Peace was sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7); the god of war wants men to sacrifice other men to him.
The Prince of Peace died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6); the god of war wants men to commit ungodliness.
The Prince of Peace was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23); the god of war encourages men to violate virgins.
The Prince of Peace came in the flesh (1 John 4:20); the god of war is a destroyer of flesh.
The Prince of Peace glorified not himself (Hebrews 5:5); the god of war glorifies war.
The Prince of Peace is the bread of life (John 6:35); the god of war is the slayer of life.
The Prince of Peace redeems (Galatians 3:13); the god of war condemns.
The Prince of Peace is the light of the world (John 8:12); the god of war plunges the world into darkness.
The Prince of Peace is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25); the god of war is the wounder and taker of life.
The Prince of Peace was made to be sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21); the god of war wants men to commit sin.
The Prince of Peace is the mediator between God and men (1 Timothy 2:5); the god of war is the separator of God from men.
The Prince of Peace is the Saviour of men (Titus 1:4); the god of war is the enemy of men.
The Prince of Peace forgives (Colossians 3:13); the god of war punishes.
The Prince of Peace suffered for us (1 Peter 2:21); the god of war wants men to suffer on the battlefield.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas, not a military one. Worship and serve the Prince of Peace, not the god of war.
For the best in in-depth history and examination of the god of war, see The God of War, by Joseph Judson Taylor—a minister and a man of peace.
Laurence M. Vance [send him mail] writes from central Florida. He is the author of King James, His Bible, and Its Translators, The War on Drugs Is a War on Freedom, War, Christianity, and the State: Essays on the Follies of Christian Militarism and War, Empire, and the Military: Essays on the Follies of War and U.S. Foreign Policy. His newest book is The Making of the King James Bible—New Testament. Visit his website.
Previous article by Laurence M. Vance: Who Can Stop the Drive to War?
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