CHRISTIANITY IN WAR
By LT.-GEN. SIR WILLIAM BOBBIE
THE successful prosecution of a war depends on many factors, material, personal, intellectual, economic, &c. The importance of these things is widely recognised and well understood, and every effort is being made to make the fullest use of our resources in these respects. But there is another factor which is even more vitally important than these, and which is apt to be overlooked by some in this very material age in which we live. That factor is the spiritual. It is overlooked perhaps because it is more intangible than the others and seems to be less real and practical and therefore less important. Guns, tanks, ships and aircraft can be seen and counted and their influence observed and assessed. But the spiritual resources of the nation cannot be treated in this way. They con- stitute a difficult problem, and we feel that we have so many difficult problems to face that we are unwilling to grapple with another which we may think is only of secondary importance. The conse- quence is that we are in danger of concentrating our attention and our efforts on developing our material resources, and of relying for success upon our human and material activities. That this is so seems evident from many of the slogans which have been devised in order to stimulate the efforts of our people. " Your efforts, your endurance, your determination will bring victory." These exhortations are very right and proper, so far as they go, but they undoubtedly have the effect of encouraging our people to think that their efforts are all that matter, and of blinding them to the fundamental and vital fact that God alone can give victory.
The Day of Prayer recently ordered by His Majesty the King will no doubt have turned the minds of many to the spiritual factor, and have helped our people to take stock of their position in this matter. It is to be hoped that this is so. The attitude of many has probably been affected by two considerations, though perhaps they have never actually crystallised their thoughts or put them into words. The first of these considerations is, as has already been indicated, that the spiritual factor is of minor importance. This may perhaps be partly the result of the representations of some mis- guided persons who suggest that we need make no effort, but that God will do all that is necessary, while we sit back and take our ease. Such a distortion of facts cannot be too strongly condemned. It is obvious that we have to make the utmost efforts, and accept the greatest sacrifices, if we are to deserve success. Unless we do this we can hardly ask God, or expect Him, to intervene on our behalf and give us victory. " God helps those who help themselves " is true from many points of view.
All historical happenings have had a spiritual background. Spiritual influences good or bad have always been at work in nations and in international affairs. This fact has not always been recog- nised, and as a consequence a wrong diagnosis of social or inter- national problems, resulting in a wrong treatment, has sometimes followed. But if ever we have gone to war on a spiritual issue it is now. We are not only fighting for our existence and for the pre- servation of our institutions, we are fighting for the fundamental spiritual principles without which life, whether individual or national, will not be worth living. There can be no vestige of doubt that our cause is righteous, and that it must be in accordance with God's will. We are constantly reminded of this, but surely the corollary is obvious if we have eyes to see it. Since it is essentially a spiritual conflict in which we are engaged, and not a merely material one, we must make sure that we develop our spiritual resources to the full, and not rely only on our material efforts. We may have to readjust our ideas and our attitude in many matters before our spiritual mobilisation can be complete, but these adjust- ments, even though they may be humiliating, must be faced and carried through if we are to win this war. It is not just a question of emergency religion or of any temporary adjustment. It is a question of a real change of attitude towards many of the deepest issues of life. There can be no doubt of the importance of the spiritual factor.
The other consideration which has perhaps also affected our attitude towards this matter is a feeling that it is not really a practical thing to bring spiritual resources to bear in the rough- and-tumble of our lives today. It is thought to be out of place when we are at grips with any material enemy as we are, and that it cannot really help us to overcome his efficient and ruthless forces.
• In fact, that this is not the time to try experiments, however interest- ing and attractive ; we have our hands full as it is, and we cannot be bothered with anything which is not well proved and eminently practical.
To trust in God, and to rely on His help; is no new and untried thing. It is no experiment the result of which is in doubt. History is full of examples of the reality of the help He gives to individuals or nations who seek it. His intervention has on many occasions been evident to those who have eyes to see such things. It was evident in 1918, in the Hundred Days Campaign in France which im- mediately followed the Day of Prayer on August 4th in that year. In more recent times it was clearly evident in i940 when we were withdrawing our forces from France and Belgium. Many saw it then, and gratefully acknowledged it.
Moreover, there are many individuals today, just as there have been in our past history, who have proved in their own experience, in the Services or in civil life, that the help which God gives to those who ask Him for it and expect to get it from Him, is a real and practical thing. There are many today, the writer among them, who have proved without a shadow of a doubt that it is no impractical thing to trust in the Living God, and to expect Him to do what He promises. It is no mere fancy, but a proved fact, that prayer to Him produces results, in great as well as in small matters, as the writer, for one, has abundantly experienced on many occasions, in war as well as peace. The more others put this claim to the test the better for us all. After all, it is merely a recognition of the fact that God can and does control the course of events, and that He has not only the will but the power to help those who rely on Him. Such reliance is an entirely practical thing.
If it is both important and practical to develop our spiritual resources, how can it be done? In the first place, it involves a wholehearted recognition and acknowledgment of our need of God. In the second place, it involves an adjustment of our attitude towards Him, and putting away things which are known to be displeasing to him. It is not enough to go on repeating that our cause is righteous. It is, outstandingly so. But we have to see to it that we are righteous too, both nationally and individually. We have to acknowledge the very unpalatable fact that we are not, and that there are many things in our national and individual lives which weaken rather than strengthen our spiritual powers. As has been said, this fact is unpalatable. It touches our pride. But it must be faced in the same way as we have faced other unpleasant things. It involves acknowledging our faults, and turning from them—a difficult step, perhaps, but one which must be taken. When, as a nation, we face up to things in this way, and thus seek to make ourselves fit to be entrusted with success, then it may be possible for God to give it to us, and so enable us to fulfil our national responsibilities for the building up of a better world after the war.
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