Chaplain on Combat and Eternity
The story of 1LT T.C. Houston has already been noted, but the eventual full article written by the reporter had an interesting anecdote not told the first time:
One soldier, a sniper, wrestled with his mission. Houston said the guardsman was struggling with the paradox of killing and eternity. Houston said he helped the soldier understand how God views this and how he can continue with his mission.
“According to the Bible, restoring peace is a righteous act in accordance with faith,” the chaplain explained.
While only a snippet of what was likely a much larger conversation, it is seems to be far better than the answer to the similar question raised in Faith of the American Soldier, originally discussed here.
There are moral wounds in war, even apart from an individual’s religious beliefs. Fortunately, the military recognizes that potential and supports both chaplains and other means to try to address that sacrifice by its servicemembers.
Via ArmyChaplaincy.com.