Just War

Last night my husband and I took some friends out for a movie and supper.  We have been neighbors and friends for close to 25 years, they are moving and we wanted to say Good-bye.

To set the stage, I will mention that we went to the movie Battleship.  After, on the drive to the restaurant, our friend (and I can't remember how we got started on the subject) said that "all Christians" should struggle with war. She went on to talk about how the argument should be structured & that she had struggle being married to a man who was retired military (yes, he was right there in the car; he sort of gaffed when she said it, as did my old UNMC hubby).  Even though, no one was saying anything, she became more and more defensive. I wondered,  'who she was becoming defensive with?'  Now, granted, she and I have polar opposite views on -well, EVERYTHING and she may have thought I was going to jump into the fray; she may have been setting up a defense, just in case.

Since it was our last evening together, I decided I wouldn't try to take the argument any further, AND thank goodness the restaurant wasn't that far away, or I may have had to bring up St. Augustine, Just War Theory, and International Law Theory; and that would have just made me sound arrogant (insert sarcasm here). Basically a subject that was discussed in nearly EVERY class I took while getting my degree in Religious Studies.  BTW - a degree that simply taught me I still don't know anything and still have a lot to learn.

However, if you are still trudging through this with me - I will share with you what I do know.  The struggle between Christians as follower of Christ's example should error on the side of pacifism.  Unfortunately, for my friend - it seemed by her argument that she thought this was a new argument and she was the only one with the argument.  St. Augustine of Hippo (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430) would argue differently.  


To save time, and prevent you from having to read my less that stellar writing skills, I'll copy some of his bio from Wikipedia (everything in italics).


Augustine agreed strongly with the conventional wisdom of the time, that Christians should be pacifists in their personal lives. But he routinely argued that this did not apply to the defense of innocents. In essence, the pursuit of peace must include the option of fighting to preserve it in the long-term. Such a war could not be preemptive, but defensive, to restore peace.


This was the one thing I said when she was debating with herself - that "we are charged with defending the defenseless and the oppressed against hedonistic aggressors."  This seems to inflame her thought process, so I didn't say any more (and hoped my hubby would drive faster to the restaurant.)

Ok, back to Augustine.  Out of Augustine's struggle with pacifism vs. war, and based on his understanding of the reason for Christ's sacrifice (and o, BTW that He didn't end the world then)  he developed Just War Theory. It holds three primary factors:

• First, war must occur for a good and just purpose rather than for self-gain or as an exercise of power.
• Second, just war must be waged by a properly instituted authority such as the state.
• Third, peace must be a central motive even in the midst of violence.

There are additional factors as well:

• In self-defense, as long as there is a reasonable possibility of success. If failure is a foregone conclusion, then it is just a wasteful spilling of blood.
• Preventive war against a tyrant who is about to attack.
• War to punish a guilty enemy.

A war is not legitimate or illegitimate simply based on its original motivation: it must comply with a series of additional requirements:

• It is necessary that the response be commensurate to the evil; use of more violence than is strictly necessary would constitute an unjust war.
• Governing authorities declare war, but their decision is not sufficient cause to begin a war. If the people oppose a war, then it is illegitimate. The people have a right to depose a government that is waging, or is about to wage, an unjust war.
• Once war has begun, there remain moral limits to action. For example, one may not attack innocents or kill hostages.
• It is obligatory to take advantage of all options for dialogue and negotiations before undertaking a war; war is only legitimate as a last resort.

Under this doctrine, expansionist wars, wars of pillage, wars to convert infidels or pagans, and wars for glory are all inherently unjust.

So, there you have it in a nutshell (and all from Wikipedia).  Does this necessarily mean that it's a done deal - noooo, not by any means - as attested to by the fact that I had to sit through discussion after discussion after discussion after...well, you get my meaning, on Just War theory.

Now, if you are a connoisseur of St. Augustine - you will probably ask me how I can agree with him (or maybe you don't care - which I would totally understand), I would say that in most of his writings - I don't agree in total. Just in-part - in most things.

Here's the thing I do believe - Just War theory as transcribed into current day International Law Theory, at minimum establishes a common standard that all nations - aggressive or not - understand the principles by which the rest of the nations accept the treatment of their own citizens, expansionist wars, or wars to convert infidels or pagans (which today, is much of the Muslim rhetoric.)

So, to my friend (and, hoping she still is) I say - the debate you were having in your head over pacifism vs. war is not new - it has been debated over and over again; and many of the nations that have been previously liberated from 'expansionist' and genocidal wars accept Just War Theory as the only precept for war over pacifism. I pray this helps you with your struggle and gives you insight into my perspective which I suspect you were defending against.

Love ya,
D