Why Holy War Matters: Lessons for Today

What is holy war?

In biblical theology, holy war denotes a conflict explicitly sanctioned and directed by God to achieve a redemptive or covenantal purpose.

This concept is most vividly illustrated in Joshua 6:20, where the Israelites, following divine instruction, systematically destroy Jericho as part of their conquest of Canaan. These campaigns were both military endeavors and acts of worship and obedience, reflecting God's sovereignty over nations and His commitment to His covenant people. The ethical dimensions of holy war, however, remain a subject of scholarly debate, balancing divine justice with human responsibility.

The roots of holy war in Scripture are deeply tied to the Old Testament narrative, particularly the theocratic governance of Israel. These wars were often accompanied by specific divine mandates, such as the prohibition of plundering in certain cases, underscoring their sacred nature. They served to demarcate Israel’s unique relationship with Yahweh, distinguishing them from surrounding nations and their polytheistic practices. Understanding these contexts is crucial for grappling with the complexities of holy war as both a historical phenomenon and a theological construct, which we will explore further in subsequent discussions.

Holy War in Joshua 6:20

Joshua 6:20 epitomizes the biblical concept of holy war, where Israel’s destruction of Jericho under divine command reveals tensions between covenantal obedience and ethical complexity.

The command in Joshua 6:20 - “the city and all that is in it must be devoted to the Lord” - mandated the systematic destruction of Jericho, including its walls, inhabitants, and goods. This act, carried out after seven days of marching and the trumpet blasts, underscored Israel’s faith in Yahweh’s power to overcome seemingly impenetrable obstacles. By following God’s precise instructions without deviation, the Israelites demonstrated unwavering trust in His sovereignty, even when the rationale behind the command was not immediately clear. Theologically, this episode framed holy war as a theocratic act, where divine authority superseded conventional military strategy or human ethics.

Modern ethical frameworks often struggle with the genocidal implications of such accounts, prompting debates about how to reconcile divine justice with the moral agency of human actors. While the text presents the destruction as a covenantal necessity, contemporary readers grapple with its troubling aspects, emphasizing the need for contextual and theological nuance. These tensions invite further exploration of how Scripture portrays God’s character and the evolving nature of divine-human relationships.

Theological Tensions and Interpretations

Scholars approach the biblical concept of holy war through diverse lenses, highlighting tensions between divine justice, human ethics, and the evolving portrayal of God’s character across Scripture.

Deuteronomy 20 outlines pragmatic regulations for holy war, such as exemptions for those newly married, recently built a house, or planted a vineyard, suggesting a balance between divine command and human welfare. Some interpret these wars as theocratic acts enforcing covenantal purity, while others view them as reflections of ancient Near Eastern military norms. Psalm 46, which declares ‘God is within her [the city], she will not fall; by God she is helped, she will rise at dawn,’ juxtaposes divine protection with the realities of conflict, complicating simplistic readings of holy war as purely punitive.

The tension between divine justice and mercy is central to scholarly debates: while holy war is framed as a means of upholding covenantal holiness, it also raises questions about God’s compassion. Deuteronomy 20’s stipulations (e.g., sparing fruit trees) hint at ethical limits to warfare, whereas Psalm 46 emphasizes God’s sovereign peace amid chaos. These texts reveal a biblical trajectory where early theocratic violence is later contextualized by prophetic calls for justice and mercy. Understanding holy war thus requires grappling with Scripture’s layered witness to God’s character and humanity’s moral responsibility.

Why holy war Matters Today

The theological complexities of holy war compel modern readers to grapple with enduring questions about divine justice, the morality of violence, and the nature of spiritual conflict.

This concept challenges contemporary ethics by juxtaposing biblical mandates like Deuteronomy 20’s regulations - such as sparing fruit trees and granting exemptions to newlyweds - with modern principles of human rights and just war theory. Psalm 46’s assertion that 'God is within her, she will not fall' reframes conflict as a test of faith in divine protection, complicating simplistic readings of holy war as purely destructive. These tensions invite reflection on how divine sovereignty intersects with human moral responsibility.

Understanding holy war also illuminates the biblical call to spiritual warfare, as seen in Ephesians 6:11-12, where believers are urged to 'put on the whole armor of God' against 'spiritual forces of evil.' This shift from physical to spiritual conflict underscores the enduring relevance of holy war as a metaphor for living out one’s faith in a morally contested world.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of holy war, consider exploring key biblical texts and theological reflections that contextualize these narratives within Israel’s covenantal relationship with God.

Commentaries on Joshua and Deuteronomy, such as those analyzing Joshua 6:20’s command to destroy Jericho and Deuteronomy 20’s regulations on warfare, provide historical and ethical insights. Theological works on divine justice, like those examining the tension between covenantal holiness and mercy, further illuminate how Scripture portrays God’s character amid conflict.