By Douglas F. Levesque, Founder of The Levesque Institute
Today at least nine nations have a nuclear weapon in their arsenals. Only one, however, has used this weapon in warfare: the United States of America.
The debate remains as to whether bombing the two Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was moral or right. The fact that it hastened the end of the war, and probably saved both American and Japanese lives seems clear, but it also clearly opened a Pandora’s box of potential conflict and political conundrum. Should nations have nuclear weapons? Is it ever right to use them, and when? Are there rules to such issues, and who should decide them? National and International protocols have been debated and issued. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been established by the United Nations as a permanent governing, inspection, reporting, and enforcement arm, but is it effective enough? The better question may be is it effective at all? There is another voice of authoritative counsel in this issue that should be considered. The Bible speaks to the twenty-first century issue of wielding the nuclear sword. “…and with good advice, make war.” (Proverbs 20:18)
Striving for National Might
Military prowess or martial greatness should not be the primary concern of nations, though it is an important factor. Ancient King David was an able warrior with mighty men of war, who both defended and conquered territory effectively. However, his primary designs were moral and spiritual. When he succeeded at spiritual endeavors, national might was increased. When he failed at moral duty, his country’s war fighting decisions were abysmal. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”(Psalms 20:7) Scripture teaches that how a nation wields the name and Spirit of God is a far better indicator of national might than nuclear power and cataclysmic weaponry. Striving for national might is not a sin, unless the God of the Bible is left out of the equation. (I Samuel 17:45, Hebrews 4:12)
God’s Aid in Warfare
As previously mentioned, King David had a certain proficiency in battle. He declared that it was a by-product of knowing God. “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”(Psalms 144:1) The Lord Himself revealed important intelligence and maneuvers to David’s army with staggering results. These same results were inflicted upon David’s people when he did not comply with the decrees given him. Throughout the Bible, wars are both ordered and initiated by God. He aids in the actual warfare through the use of both conventional and supernatural means. The fact that one nation has a nuclear weapon while another does not, or that some nations keep weaponry out of another’s hand, is part of this divine aid. (Zechariah 4:6)
Balance of Power is a Divine Issue
It is evident in history as well as in Scripture that the Almighty has allowed certain ‘less than desirable’ empires to rise to power, in some cases even clearly facilitating the rise. This is done in order to bring humility and justice to other nations, to direct the choices of certain national leaders, and further the working of His own plan for the ages. Individual lives affected are certainly not without His consideration; rather they are the core of His design and reason. The Mesopotamians, Persians, and Romans of old became great in order to fulfill not just their will but God’s own. (They all eventually paid for their follies, and were not greater than their national sins as well.) That America is a nuclear superpower, standing alone in her national capabilities, is according to the measure of her adherence to the Bible and allegiance to its truths. We may just as easily fall from our height if we wield the nuclear sword with pride and untamed passion. But the fact that we wield it with restraint, have only used it with reserve, and continue to desire a sheathed presence only is a testament to national greatness and Heaven’s ordered goodness. “This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.” (Judges 7:14) If the balance of power changes, the fault will be our own. God can use other nations to execute power. (Psalms 149:6-9, Romans 13:1-7)
God-fearing nations whose foundations are in Bible truths are, in fact, the best countries to have the power of nuclear weapons. The United States can and should have them as a deterrent, and if necessary as a useful weapon in warfare. We should recognize this penchant for technological nuclear superiority and the ability to deliver its power to our enemies efficiently as a moral force to be used for good, not selfish gain or personal vendetta. We may also strive to govern its use elsewhere, endeavoring to keep such a sword out of the hands of rogues and despots. Nuclear power, like the power of gravity, is not something we are masters of, only manipulators of. Like a sword in the hand of a soldier, we must wield the nuclear one with ability, restraint, and responsibility lest we hurt our-selves, but when called upon to execute force do so with the assurance of being right. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12-22)
