A long time ago I read about a Russian philosopher/theologian who belived that
,since the Old Testament showed man to be in a constant state of
warfare,any society seeking to be right with God must instigate
whatever wars are necessary to promote a biblical state. In brief,
peace is a sin and war is desirable.
Please find out who this writer is and where I can find books in
English that describe his thought in detail; some websites would be
great as well.

Hello.

I believe that you're looking for Nikolai Berdyaev (1874 - 1948).

See this excerpt from his essay WAR AND ESCHATOLOGY (1939):

"...The Bible is full of narratives about wars. The books of the
Prophets, the summit of the religious consciousness of the ancient
Hebrews, has as one of its chief themes the reconciliation of the
terrors and injustices of wars with an almighty Jehovah, with the
Providence of God. And with the Hebrew people namely there was most of
all a particularly acute and strong sense of the almightiness of God.
Great misfortunes in the fate of the Hebrew people they attempted to
explain as the inscrutable ways of the Providence of God, leading His
people to a final victory through tribulations, sufferings and
chastisements for their falling-away. The problem that was faced is
the same, as the problem that faces also the modern consciousness.
Jehovah was initially a tribal God, a war-God..."
source:
http://www.berdyaev.com/berdiaev/berd_lib/1939_452.html

More information at berdyaev.com:
http://www.berdyaev.com/

More information on this web page:
Nikolai Berdyaev 1874 - 1948, hosted by chebucto.ns.ca:
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Sui-Generis/Berdyaev/

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serach strategy: 
"russian philosopher", "pro-war"
berdyaev, war, bible

I hope this helps.

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Clarification of Answer by juggler-ga on 01 Dec 2003 14:23 PST

Use this link for a list of English books by or about Berdyaev:
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Sui-Generis/Berdyaev/biblio.htm

Thank you very much for your answer. I am now certain, having read a
few of the essays you suggested and pointed me towards, that Berdayev
is indeed the person I had heard about.

Thank you very much for the tip.
-juggler