Faith,
Last Sunday, we explored the Sixth Commandment, “Do not murder,” and its relationship to Just War Theory. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to that message, please do so in preparation for this week’s sermon.
To set the stage for this week’s message, imagine the scene: Okinawa, 1945, World War II. Private First Class Desmond Doss’s unit was tasked with taking the Maeda Escarpment—a formidable 400-foot cliff known as “Hacksaw Ridge.” When a ferocious Japanese counterattack decimated his company, the order was given to retreat. Private Doss refused to leave his fallen comrades. Remaining behind in the line of enemy fire, he braved continuous artillery, mortar, and small-arms fire for twelve hours, rescuing the wounded one by one. Using a specialized rope rig he devised, he lowered each injured soldier down the cliff face to safety, saving an estimated 75 men in that single operation.
Days later, Doss was severely wounded by a hand grenade while treating soldiers in a foxhole. Rather than call another medic away from danger, he tended to his own wounds and waited five hours for evacuation. As snipers targeted his stretcher team, Doss insisted on giving up his spot to a more critically injured soldier. Moments later, sniper fire struck Doss, fracturing his arm. Unshaken, he bound his shattered arm with a rifle stock and crawled 300 yards through the battle zone to an aid station.
President Harry S. Truman presented Doss with the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary valor. But Doss’s legacy goes even deeper than his physical bravery—he remains the first conscientious objector in American history to receive our nation’s highest military honor. What drove a man to enlist during World War II, refuse to use a weapon, endure constant ridicule from his peers, and then willingly risk his life to save theirs? Join us this week as we dive into his story and examine the decision of many Christians to say no to killing.
In Christ alone,
Pastor Brad
Message notes are here.
Here are two resources relevant to Sunday’s message:
Christian Discipleship in the Midst of War–a resolution by our denomination
Living History of Medal of Honor Recipient Desmond Doss (5:37)