Trinitarian
July 12th 2003, 04:43 PM
Which of the following views do you believe represents the most accurate and biblical position on the morality of war?
The following is brief description of the general postions that the Church has held on war. I do not intend to defend any of the views scripturally, simply to describe their features.
The Just War Theory
The Just war Theory holds that Christians may engage in war if the war in question meets certain criteria that establish it as a "just" war. These criteria vary slightly in different accounts, but in general the agreed criteria of the Just War are as follows:
1. War may be waged only by a legitimate authority.
2. War may only be fought for a Just cause.
3. War may only be fought with the right intention.
4. War may only be waged after all other options have been exhausted.
5. The war must be defensive, not agressive.
6. Force used in war must be proportional and noncombatant immunity must be respected.
7. The war in question must have definitite goals and a reasonable chance of winning.
8. The war in question must not demand unconditional surrender or seek to propong the war.
Preventative War
This view holds the basic features of the Just War theory, but allows for some wars that are not technically defensive. If conflict is immininent and certain beyond a reasonable doubt, a premeptive strike is acceptable.
The Crusade
This view essentially holds that war is acceptable to further the cause of the church and the gospel. In many ways the crusade view allows for most wars so long as the result is positive. This is the view held by medieval Christianity and Islam. It still claims some adherents today, although they are somewhat out of the majority in Christian thought.
Christian Pacifism or Non-Violence
This view holds that war is never an acceptable option for a Christian. Christian Pacifists hold that the example of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus give us an example of non-violence and love that Christians are called to follow through their discipleship. Christian Pacifists do not expect the world's problems to be solved through their rejection of war, but rather see it as part of the church's witness to the world sustained by their faith in God.
Christian pacifism is also closely connected with a strong view of the Kingdome of God. Christian Pacifists see the Kingdom of God as the fundamental locus of our allegiance and service. This kingdom is not based on war, but on the God whoose reign is established through his death on the cross. In view of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus as the fundamental paradigm for Christian life, war is necesarily excluded. Pacifisim was the view of the early church until the conversion of Constantine and the Edict of Milan that was issued in 313 AD.
The following is brief description of the general postions that the Church has held on war. I do not intend to defend any of the views scripturally, simply to describe their features.
The Just War Theory
The Just war Theory holds that Christians may engage in war if the war in question meets certain criteria that establish it as a "just" war. These criteria vary slightly in different accounts, but in general the agreed criteria of the Just War are as follows:
1. War may be waged only by a legitimate authority.
2. War may only be fought for a Just cause.
3. War may only be fought with the right intention.
4. War may only be waged after all other options have been exhausted.
5. The war must be defensive, not agressive.
6. Force used in war must be proportional and noncombatant immunity must be respected.
7. The war in question must have definitite goals and a reasonable chance of winning.
8. The war in question must not demand unconditional surrender or seek to propong the war.
Preventative War
This view holds the basic features of the Just War theory, but allows for some wars that are not technically defensive. If conflict is immininent and certain beyond a reasonable doubt, a premeptive strike is acceptable.
The Crusade
This view essentially holds that war is acceptable to further the cause of the church and the gospel. In many ways the crusade view allows for most wars so long as the result is positive. This is the view held by medieval Christianity and Islam. It still claims some adherents today, although they are somewhat out of the majority in Christian thought.
Christian Pacifism or Non-Violence
This view holds that war is never an acceptable option for a Christian. Christian Pacifists hold that the example of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus give us an example of non-violence and love that Christians are called to follow through their discipleship. Christian Pacifists do not expect the world's problems to be solved through their rejection of war, but rather see it as part of the church's witness to the world sustained by their faith in God.
Christian pacifism is also closely connected with a strong view of the Kingdome of God. Christian Pacifists see the Kingdom of God as the fundamental locus of our allegiance and service. This kingdom is not based on war, but on the God whoose reign is established through his death on the cross. In view of the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus as the fundamental paradigm for Christian life, war is necesarily excluded. Pacifisim was the view of the early church until the conversion of Constantine and the Edict of Milan that was issued in 313 AD.