War & Peace 3: The Just War Theory

by Stephen Wall

First of all, before I begin, I would like to convey my initial thought on the phrase “A Just War”. A question arises when I hear the phrase spoken. Can war actually be just? As humanity, are we capable of making a just judgement completely free of any kind of bias towards our own end? It is my opinion that this simply is not possible – every war that has ever been fought has its own agenda in sight, for it is humanity’s sinful nature that causes war.[1] It is then my proposition that one cannot have a truly “just war”, however I do believe that war may be justified if it meets various principles or scenarios and these need to be met before a nation can engage in it.

Below is a link to a clip I watched that some might be interested in. I found it fascinating as it told a story that was not told in mainline news and it forced me to ask the question. How can we make a correct judgement to what is right in going to war if we are fed lies and political propaganda?

http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=10211 

http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=66951

Scenario – justice in the playground:

You are in the park looking after your child; she is playing on the climbing frame, shouting at the top of her voice and living as if she has not a care in the world, as kids do when having fun. You see a man walk into the park from the house opposite. As he approaches he looks annoyed and starts yelling at her. Would you get involved or remain passive? Think about it. Your child is scared and looks to you with fear-filled eyes. The man draws closer, the anger increases and still you do nothing, you remain passive. He steps closer, grabs your child by the arm and tells her that she is an inconsiderate idiot and that she should shut up. Now would you get involved or still remain passive? In fact, if you were a good parent I know you would have already done something. Would you be classed a “good parent” if you refused to act in this situation, either to bring peace through dialogue, or to remove of your child to a safer place. If the man still went to attack your child would you use necessary force to make sure your child was not harmed?          

A few more questions: Could you reprimand the man because he walked into the park and sat on the park bench watching your child but did nothing else? No, you may keep a watchful eye on him but he has every right to do so. Could you randomly go into that person’s house because they live near the park and beat him up just in case he comes over one day and harms your child? No, this would be wrong. Can intervention be justified under circumstances were wrong is being done like in this one where your daughter is at risk? I must add that each situation must be taken into account on individual basis and valuated separately?

Right action, right timing, and right reasons. There must always be a valid reason for action and everything must be done to limit unnecessary tragedy and confrontation. In this playground scenario, an angry man has the potential of harming your daughter and needs to be stopped. Some may say the parent is to blame, they should not allow the child to scream when in public or that the situation should not have escalated this far. The list of opinions is huge, and though war is not a playground I ask if you can apply some of the principles from this scenario to a reason for war. Can it be seen in a similar light? I know war is on a much wider scale and will incur a much deeper hurt, pain and suffering, including many innocents. Yet, do we stand by and watch as dictators oppress, or despots claim the lives of innocent millions, as in Ruwanda, because of their selfish and wicked actions? I know war is terribly evil in its causes, conduct and consequences, yet because violent aggression is so unjust, it must be resisted, and according to Apostle Paul, God has entrusted to governments limited uses of force in maintaining a just peace.[2] If such a task, however sickening and tragic, is divinely ordained, then should Christians be willing to participate.

The Just War Theory

The JWT deals with the justification of how and why wars are fought. The justification can be either theoretical or historical. The theoretical aspect is concerned with ethically justifying war and forms of warfare. The historical aspect, or the “just war tradition” deals with the historical body of rules or agreements applied (or at least existing) in various wars across the ages.[3]

The JWT is a set of criteria that are used to judge whether a war is morally justifiable. It was St Augustine in the third century that formulated the Just War theory, and was formalised 10 centuries later by Thomas Aquinas. The Just War Theory - is NOT a philosophical "method" for determining whether a war can be justified. The aim of the JWT is to provide a way of showing that fighting a war can be morally superior to overlooking it. The basis of the just war is that justice and fairness are important virtues and that to protect your family, your country, and the weak and innocent from suffering are causes worth fighting for. This however is qualified by stating that war should be fought within certain rules to ensure that it is fought not only for sound moral reasons but also that it is fought in a morally defensible way. These are seven criteria by which a war can be judged to be just:

1. having just cause,
2. a good reason for going to war,
3. being formally declared by a proper authority,
4. possessing right intention,
5. it has to be the last resort and all other alternatives must be exhausted
6. having a reasonable chance of success,
7. and the end being proportional to the means used.[4]

The JWT refers to modern political doctrines, which promote the view that war is "just" (ie. justice), given satisfactory conditions. “Conditions" have a propensity to be variable, open to murky analysis, and otherwise subject to political deflection, the concept of JW itself, even apart from any precise doctrines, is controversial, although at times necessary.

But the JWT also has a lengthy history reaching back into ancient texts. Sections of the OT scriptures hint at ethical behaviour in war and JW Theorists use these passages for reasons to go to war.[5] It is interesting to note that in their wars with The Canaan occupation the OT Jews were “told” by God to completely destroy everything, that is men, women and children and to show no mercy. However this was spoken only of the seven nations within the ‘promised’ land. Of the rest they were told make a treaty with them, and only if cooperation could not be obtained, then they should go to war. Only the men were to be killed.[6]

It is important to understand, when looking at the OT and the NT texts on war or fighting, that there is a difference between the two. (One is of a national, geographical kingdom that must fight for their existence and the other is a spiritual kingdom that we fight for in other ways). In the OT, Israel was fighting as a nation under God in order to establish itself in a land that had been promised; In the NT, we do not have a geographical kingdom but are part of a spiritual one and there is no need to physically fight for it. Yet we are still part of a geographical kingdom and if necessary we may need to fight for that kingdom.

Jesus on war

Jesus is especially quiet on this subject.[7] He neither really condemns war, nor does he promote it – he does condemn individual violence, acts of aggression when persecuted for the gospel. He says to turn the other cheek, and to love your enemy. Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away, saying, “Those who live by the sword, die by the sword”. However, Peter used that sword to protect Jesus and not in fighting a war. He had that sword because Jesus told the disciples to buy swords for themselves, not good if you believe Jesus was totally against war or protecting oneself, this command of Jesus would not make sense.[8] He did not condemn the soldier who came to Jesus to heal his son, neither does he tell him to leave his post in the armed forces, but only commends him for his superior faith. When Jesus felt he needed to say something was he quiet about it? When Jesus walked this earth, he was definitely a peacemaker, and so should we all, but His mission, as the suffering servant was not to be a World ruler, nor to fight for position of kingship at that time but to die for humanity. Jesus had come to make peace and not to set up an earthly kingdom therefore it was not necessary for anyone to fight for him. That kingdom will come later, one that he will rule with a rod of iron,[9] but before that there will be a war where blood will flow up to the height of a horses’ bridle – even if taken figuratively it is still a violent picture of death to millions. I think we forget the apocalyptic war that is to come. Armageddon for me,[10] is not a picture of a “pacifist” Jesus as he comes to bring and end to evil. The good end justifies the means of evil. I know it is very consequential view, but does the defeat of the enemies of God and the annihilation of millions or eternal punishment on those who follow their world leader against Christ justify this action if Christ is all about peace. Just a thought?

To conclude, a just war is the last and final action that is to be taken. I hate war and would not subject anyone to it, however if it meant freedom and liberty for many then I personally would not object. My preferred way was that all humanity could get on without having to war, but until sin and selfishness is removed then I am not sure this is possible.

---

[1] James 4:1

[2] Romans 13:1-3

[3] Moseley, A., Online: http://www.iep.utm.edu/j/justwar.htm Cited 18/09/06

[4] Moseley, A., Online: http://www.iep.utm.edu/j/justwar.htm Cited 18/09/06

[5] 1 Samuel 15:14, Joshua 5:13 (Captain of the Hosts) Exodus 15:3 (The LORD is a Man of War)

[6] Deuteronomy 7:1 & 2, Deuteronomy 20:10-15, 16-17 Outside the area of Canaan, keeping the women and children was no problem. Within Canaan – if it breathes, God said put it to death!

[7] Luke 14:31,

[8] Luke 22:38

[9] Psalms 2:9, Rev 2:27, Rev 12:5, Rev 19:15,

[10] Rev 14:14-20

Comments

[Moses Fahiua]

War is ugly,it will take lifes, and yes it will leave horrorable consequences.And as christian,it is easy to sit at the comfort of our class room and analyze every angles from a christian perspective that it's wrong and Jesus was all about saving lives, but boy when it hit kind of close to home [as Steve story in the park], it is seem natural then to justify it. Surely, we can't sit back and watch other nations taking over our peace. come on!

[Maneesha Antony]

Hey steve! great work!

I have to admit that when I knew we had to this blog on war, I was not looking forward to it. I know war is around us but I try not to get involve, yes I listen to the news and see what it does but to me its so painful.

So with this assumption of not liking war I started reading - thinking that my view would not be altered.

Your example of the daughter in the park was really inciteful. It made me think and question about the reasons for war. If I was that mother who was watching her daughter get abused by that man - I would definitely have done something about it! So in relation to that, maybe war has a point to it. It is not only about violence but it can be about justice.

You also made a good point how Jesus told Peter not to use his sword to protect Jesus. I never thought that this example could be used in terms of war. However I wanted to question whether it is true by our statement that Jesus asked His disciples to buy swords. Does it really say that in the Bible? I'm not putting down war if it is true but I haven't heard about that before.

War is a cdefinitely a controversial topic, my question is: Can there be a balance between violence and justice?

[steve]

G'day Steve nice work above. There seems to be alot of intellectual debate concerning War and it's properties. Personally i look at what the motive is behind people's action and then consider my reaction. The plaground scenario for me is easy i believe i am blessed in being responsible as the guardian over God's Child and also my daughter/son. If someone brings harm towards their life wether through mental or physical actions and my only option is to restrain them with force then i believe i do so carrying the blessing to act on heavenly authority.My view on mainstream war is still in thought process, but you have aided me with some thinking.

[Jamin Steel]

After reading all three views on war it is difficult to come to a absolute answer on the issue. I don't think war is just. but I also don't think it is just to stand by and watch a person or a group of people be oppressed or killed and not do anything about it. I do think Jesus tought peace but I also believe He tought us to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. I beleive we should defend those who cannot defend themselves. If the protection of the weak or the protection of freedom requires war than I think it must be done. War is not good but not protecting the weak is even worse. we live in a fallen world and war is a reality. I would much rather go to war and protect the freedom of the innocent than be afraid to go to war because I might go against my conscience. Yes, going to war would not be good for my conscience but I would not be able to live with myself if I knew that innocent people were killed because I was to concerned about my own conscience. I thinks God is much more concerned about wether I protected the innocent than if I had endless debates over wether my conscience could allow me to go to war. Yes, war must be a last resort and only when the lives and freedom of innocent people are at stake. War for purely political, financial, or selfish gain is absolutely wrong.

[Kirsty Inglis]

This is a difficult issue...the whole issue of war. In my lifetime I have known of wars but I have not experienced them first hand..something I am grateful for. I definitely do not agree with war but I also do not agree with injustice. In a subconscience way I have accepted that in this day and age there are going to be wars. I must say I agree with the JWT...however I also know that wars based on these principles are hard to find...most wars are fuelled by much less noble causes. Half the time I dont know what to believe as I feel that through the media we get one sided-stories. I feel that sometimes its hard to know the real issues wars are waged over.
At the end of the day war is tragic because innocent people die no matter what the motivations behind the war are. I wish we could live in peaceful times but I know because of the state of humanity, that is just not possible. So I agree with JWT to defend the innocent and to stand up agaist injustice because I believe that is Godly. We cannot let injustice rule. However I am reluctant to go to war as it always means tragedy for someone. It is a terribly hard issue with no clear and easy answers. Each situation can only be assessed as it comes along.

[Felicity de Sauty]

Nice work.

Just a couple of comments.
Pacifism and being passive are not as interchangeable as they seem. A pacifist is 'someone who believes that violence of any kind is unjustifiable and that one should not participate in war' or better suited in relation to your analogy of the girl in the park 'someone opposed to violence as a means of settling disputes.' Where as being passive means "accepting what happens without resistance."
I think Jesus is often said to be passive, however through his influence, we see He is the most revolutionary man to have existed in history. Jesus spoke against certain practices, even physically acting against markets operating within church to restore order. In relation to your analogy, I do agree that the girl should be spoken for as the ethical thing to do and I do not think this is contrary to pacifism. I think violence, 'an act of aggression' is more a result of arrogance in the sense that when countries cannot communicate effectively, they resort to war. Obviously, one cannot force the other party to communicate and therefore war can sometimes seem justifiable as the only remaining viable option.
The JTW theory seems quite thorough and justifiable, however in reality, who is deciding on the action of war according to these standards that actually have influence? I think Christians need to have a greater voice in the government, as the only Christian voice that has been recognised is that of pacifism which does not help the government in their efforts to restore order to a broken world but is an active refusal to participate. If we desire peace, we must actively pursue it. If we desire change, we must be willing to put ourselves in positions of decision.

...A post I read a while ago over at

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