Should Putin be Destroyed?

Richard Hollerman

By now (if not before) all of the world knows that Vladimir Putin is the autocratic head of the country of Russia. As you must know, Russia is the largest country in the world, with vast resources of people, land, and industry. With some 144 million people, an examination of a map will show that it is also large regarding land—actually by far the largest area on the earth.

The question that we have asked above is whether Putin (the nation’s president) should be destroyed or killed. While this may be a question that many would ask, it isn’t one that the Christian should ask. We, as believers, want “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).

We understand that the majority of those from the Ukraine are religiously  from the Orthodox background and the second largest group would be Roman Catholic Church. Russia, the aggressor, is composed of Orthodox, non-religious, and Muslim. Religiously, it would seem that most of the population of both nations are lost, or shall I say, clearly lost and without hope. (Operation World, and The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 2022).

From our cell phones (where we receive information on the invasion), we learn that many, many people are angry, bitter, and clearly opposed to this assault. In the United States (where we write these words), we judge that many of these people are opposed to this present war. While most countries will not fight against this aggression, they would not want to fight for it either. President Biden would not tolerate armed opposition to this hostility. While most people are not pacifist at all, we receive the impression that they would not want to participate in this armed warfare.

The Christian or follower of Christ Jesus would not want to take up arms either; we also know that Jesus would not want us to be part of the military opposition. We remember that Christ declared, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm” (John 18:36).

We want to be peace-loving people. Remember that our Lord has said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Let’s remember also that Paul the apostle wrote, “See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people” (1 Thessalonians 5:15). We seek peace and want all people to dwell in harmony.

We do know that none of this will lead a person to heaven. Only Jesus, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, can and will give peace now and always, eternally. This includes the present war in Ukraine. Whether we are speaking about those living in the Ukraine or Russia, the inhabitants need Jesus Christ. And they will remain lost without Him and the peace that He can bring. Will you join with me in urging people to come to God through Christ Jesus and thus find spiritual peace in Him!

At the beginning, we asked whether President Putin should be destroyed (or killed). This is one of those questions that cannot be easily answered. In one respect, Putin and billions of others should (and will) be destroyed. In a few short years, all of these will be destroyed by a holy and just God. On the other hand, we also spoke of the fact that God doesn’t want President Putin or anyone else “destroyed” now or in the future. What will be done by God, in His holiness and justice, is one thing. But what we, as Christians would want, is another thing.

Let’s remember what the psalmist said, “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14; cf. 1 Peter 3:11). Let us seek peace and help to share the good news of Christ with all on every occasion. May God be glorified somehow through the hundreds and thousands of vulnerable and innocent victims being murdered during the present, despicable war in Ukraine.