Utilitarian justifications rather than Biblical guidelines have been adopted by many Evangelicals in their views on War and Violence

 

         Utilitarianism is the belief that good or right behavior is based on the outcome of any given situation.  It is also known, as consequentialism for it is the end rather than the means by which any given action is to be judged.  Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill first developed this Ethical Theory.  They wanted an ethical theory that was purely reason based, not relying on any external authority, they also wanted a theory that could be adopted universally by all those who were able to reason.  “The greatest good for the greatest number,” “what works best, costs cheapest, and last longest,” and that which produces the greatest efficacy are all examples of Utilitarian ways of thinking.  Or to put it more succinctly, “the end justifies the means.”

         Utilitarianism is the ultimate in pragmatic ethical theories.  If what you are doing doesn’t work, change it.  If the majority desires something differently than the way things are being done, change it.  If in order to do a greater good, unsavory actions may be taken, if the end result benefits the majority.  The needs or rights of the many outweigh the needs or rights of the few.  It is easy to see how well this theory matches a pluralistic and democratic society.  Utilitarianism, however, is not a Biblical ethical philosophy.  It discounts a Divine lawgiver, and only believes in the absolute of utility.  Many Evangelical Christians have embraced a Utilitarian Ethic.  This is easy to understand since many evangelicals live in pluralistic democratic societies.  The effect, however, has led to an exaltation of reason and pragmatism over the teachings of Christ as presented in the Scriptures.  This disregard has not only affected Evangelicals interpretation of scriptures but also their consent and collaboration in acts of war, violence and even torture, all in the name of pursuing the greater good.