It's been hard for all of us to watch the ongoing carnage of suffering in Ukraine and now in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. It has been even harder to sort out what to think and pray as I watch. In response, I've gone back to refresh my memory on what is called "Just War Theory." I think of it as the thinking of smart Christians for nearly 15 centuries on the matter of war for believing Christians.
History generally looks to St Augustine as the first to speak directly to the questions. The story goes that a soldier asked Augustine if it was permissible to be part of the military and be involved in the killing of war. After all, Jesus had a number of well-known sayings: Turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39), Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God (Matthew 5:9) among them. Augustine pointed out that "peacefulness in the face of a grave wrong that could be stopped by only violence would be a sin."
From there, the thinking developed to clarify foundations for the "right going to war" (jus ad bellum) and the right conduct of war (jus in bello)." These can be summarized as following:
jus ad bellum ("right to go to war")
Competent Authority
- Only "duly constituted public authorities" can initiate war. Dictatorships, Anarchists, rioters are examples of authority structures that are ruled out.
Probability of Success
- The reason for going to war must be reasonably achievable.
Last Resort
- All other options - diplomacy and blockade for example have been exhausted
Just Cause
- The reason for going to war must be just in itself. Revenge, economic gain are ruled out and the protection of innocent life in immanent danger are legitimate guidelines.
jus in bello ("right conduct in war") - how combatants are to act or should act:
Distinction
- There is a distinction between non-combatents and combatents as the war is conducted
Proportionality
- Damage resulting from waging war - paricularly colatteral damage to non-combatents - is not excessive compared to the security and military advantes gained
Military Necessity
- War is waged with a military objective to defeat an enemy.
Fair Treatment of Prisoners of War
- Captured enemy combatents are held as no longer being a threat.
No Means Used That Are Intrinsically Evil
- In accomplishing the military objective no "intrinsiclly unjust means" - think rape for example - are to be used.
CLICK HERE to link to a clear, 2-page summary of Just War Theory for students from the Guildford county, NC school system. I'd encourage you to "print and ponder."
Are you the more the video-watching type? CLICK HERE for a ten minute presentation from Grand Canyon University professor Dr. Paul Raabe. Watch it with the student summary above in hand.
The Wikipedia Entry on Just War Theory is also pretty helpful and fair with more detail and history. Their devinition: "a tradition, of military ethics that aims to ensure that a war is morally justifiable through a series of criteria, all of which must be met for a war to be considered just." CLICK HERE
As you can see, "Just War Theory" it no so much a formula - plug in some data or opinions and out pops you justified answer - as it is a framework of helpful questions to ponder. Could this make for helpful personal reflection? Civil conversation around the table?
This War Shows the Weakness in Just War Theory is a thoughtful piece on the challenges and shortcomings of Just War Theory when applied to the current Israel/Hamas war. CLICK HERE
More Resources - Without Comment
BreakPoint Ministeries
- How Do We “Do Unto Others” When the Others Want Us Dead? - CLICK HERE
- Oppenheimer Reminds Us of Just War Theory - CLICK HERE
- Ten BreakPoint Broadcasts related to "Just War Theory" - CLICK HERE
Public Discourse Online Magazine
- Just War Theory Isn’t Obsolete - CLICK HERE
- Let’s Talk About Just War - CLICK HERE
Providence Magazine
- The Just War as Christian Tradition - CLICK HERE
University of Notre Dame Press
- Just War and Christian Traditions - CLICK HERE
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