Objections Answered | 5

5. Abraham’s War Was Approved By God

Objection.

Abraham went to war, not like the Israelites at the command of God, yet he met with the divine approbation when he returned from the slaughter of the kings. He, therefore, must have acted on a universal law still in force.

Since Christians are called the children of Abraham they ought, of course, to imitate his example in such things as God approved.

Answer.

Abraham, like the Israelites, was under a typical dispensation and practiced rites and ceremonies that were a shadow of good things to come.

That he acted without divine command, in the war referred to, is more than we are warranted to say. He was a prophet and the friend of God and probably was acquainted with the divine will on this subject.

Christians are not called the children of Abraham because they imitate his example in war, but because they exercise the same precious faith with him.

If Christians are warranted to imitate the example of Abraham in all things that were tolerated by God, then they may sacrifice cattle, practice polygamy, and buy and hold slaves.

But if they object to his example as a rule of duty in these instances, why not object to his example as a rule of duty in the case of war?

But to say that he acted from some universal law still in force is taking for granted the question in dispute, and cannot be admitted without evidence.

The war waged by Abraham against the kings was, as I understand it, offensive rather than defensive.

Lot, his brother’s son, whom he rescued, did not then belong to his family or kingdom, but was separated from him and was also a patriarch, a father of nations, and a prince or head over his own house or kingdom.

It appears very evident that offensive as well as defensive war was tolerated under the patriarchal economy, as may be seen from the inspired words of Jacob when blessing his sons (Genesis 48:22).

The Patriarchal and Mosaic dispensations were types, and doubtless war was allowed under both for the same reasons.

But there can be no doubt that whoever attempts to justify war by the example of Abraham may equally justify the slavery of our fellow-men;

and whoever depends on his example for authority for engaging in war, to be consistent, must advocate and defend the doctrine of slavery.