Webb Begs the Question Regarding Ukraine

https://biblebased.wordpress.com/2022/03/07/should-reformed-christians-be-supporting-putin/

In this essay Andrew Webb continually begs the question. He falsely assumes that Christians should be 'supporting' either side. Christians certainly should not support Vladimir Putin. Some have been captivated by a very misguided narrative that he somehow supports a re-establishment of Christendom or that he stands for anti-liberalism (itself a confused term and concept). Rather than muddy the waters as to whether or not Russia is a 'Christian' country, the concept itself needs to be exposed as intrinsically false. The entire framework for the discussion needs to be re-tooled.

The kind of Byzantine-Orthodoxy hybrid at times represented by Putin is neither in accord with New Testament doctrine and expectations nor is it conducive to Protestantism. In fact as seen with Putin his authoritarianism is more likely to persecute it – whether by means of the bureaucracy or directly. The Watchtower Society has certainly experienced persecution at his hand.

That said, the war in Ukraine is largely the result of geopolitical machinations on the part of NATO – which functions as an arm of the American Empire and its interests. It is NATO in particular that set the stage for this war. Washington broke its security promises, abandoned its treaties, and has repeatedly provoked, manipulated, and encircled Russia for the past thirty years. It has reached a breaking point and Putin has (by some estimations) fallen for a trap. He certainly has fallen for the West's propaganda traps as they can now (without question) paint him as the aggressor and the media machine is quick to highlight his war crimes – even while they continue to downplay and whitewash the atrocities of the American regime – with its legions of storm-troopers and proxies.

No Christian should support either side. We support peace and we support the people in the war zone – especially the Christians who are suffering as a result.

But even this is complicated. In recent years I've seen more and more 'ministries' commit themselves to the American-NATO line and increasingly their 'ministry' work has taken on a political hue. We cannot support them or at least should hesitate as to what capacity we can.

To take the Ukrainian line in terms of its political standing, the character of Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian state and the like is highly problematic – and this would certainly be the case even if Ukraine was not at war. Corruption, immorality, and dangerous political currents are at work in Kyiv and no Christian should identify with them in any way.

And make no mistake Zelenskiy is pushing for a wider war. He expects the totality of Western nations to enter a World War scenario merely to save his corrupt regime. Aside from being somewhat deranged, it is morally problematic and all the more as the war could end immediately if Moscow's conditions regarding the Donbass, Crimea, and NATO membership were granted. Zelenskiy would fall for sure but should thousands die so that he can remain in power?

Webb resorts to a series of non sequitir conclusions in making his argument. Russian porn stats are not salient to the matter at hand and this is little more than some kind ad hominem and frankly lame tactic. It's neither honest nor helpful. To argue that Zelenskiy is more moral than Putin is a waste of time and a somewhat farcical exercise.   

The discussion over religious freedoms is also a distraction as are debates over free speech and other such 'rights'. Rights are concepts rooted in pagan and more especially Enlightenment political theory. They are not to be found in the New Testament. As Christians we follow God and are called to live as strangers and pilgrims. We claim no rights nor do we seek them. If a state grants them – so be it. We can be thankful but that does not in any way somehow obligate us to that state nor should it stimulate within us some kind of loyalty – let alone a willingness to kill others. States serve their own interests – the interests of the political and economic classes that rule them. We need to make certain that we never become confused on this point – otherwise our loyalties and ethics can quickly become confused.

And as far as blocking people – Webb himself has blocked others in the past – a point I can certainly testify to. And so I'm hardly sympathetic. While I can empathize to a point with the concerns in his essay, once again he misses the larger point and as a consequence his conclusions miss the mark.