Military Service

Reformed Baptists affirm the legitimacy of military service and armed self-defense within the framework of just war theory. Unlike pacifist denominations (some Anabaptists, Mennonites, Quakers), Reformed Baptists maintain that Christians may justly participate in defensive warfare and civic order. This position is grounded in the Old Testament examples of godly rulers and warriors, the New Testament affirmation of civil authority (Romans 13), and the concept of just war.

Just war theory establishes criteria for legitimate military action: a just cause (defense against aggression), right intention (not greed or revenge), legitimate authority (the state, not private citizens), reasonable chance of success, and last resort (exhaustion of peaceful means). The state bears the sword to maintain order and punish evildoers (Romans 13:4). Christian citizens may serve in military or law enforcement roles to advance justice, protect the innocent, and maintain civil order.

This does not mean that individual conscience is overridden; Christians may conscientiously object to particular wars or service. However, the Reformed Baptist tradition does not teach that all warfare is sinful or that military service is intrinsically wrong. Some Reformed Baptist theologians distinguish between different levels of warfare (defensive vs. aggressive) and may have more restrictive views on military participation, but the mainstream affirms that faithful Christians may serve in the military.