Marvin E. Zimmerman (June “Currents”) suggests that in matters of war we should not assume “an aggressor is more in the wrong” because God “uses nations as instruments of judgment against other nations” (quoted from The Eastern Mennonite Testimony). Anabaptists stand against all violence and war, but we must still make moral evaluations. Russia invaded Ukraine for territorial expansion, making Russia responsible for starting that war. Hamas invaded Israel, killing 1,200 mostly civilians to sow terror, making Hamas responsible for that attack. Israel invaded Gaza, killing about 14,000 Hamas fighters and about 58,000 civilians, making Israel responsible for indiscriminate death and destruction that some governments say qualifies as genocide. The U.S., with Israel, initiated a bombing campaign against Iran, making the U.S. and Israel responsible for that war. Don’t use God’s sovereignty as an excuse for refusing to condemn aggression.
Ryan Ahlgrim, Richmond, Va.
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