September 8, 2013:

Christians and War

Even the most casual reader of the Gospels has to conclude that Jesus was an absolute pacifist. Despite
attempts to twist his teachings by pointing out that he drove the moneychangers out of the temple (with a sheaf
of reeds!) or recalling his words that he didn’t come to bring peace but a sword, it seems clear that he was
consistent in his opposition to violence; and he backed up that teaching with his life. It is inconceivable that Jesus
would ever sanction war.

But when Christianity passed from being a powerless protest movement to become the official religion of
the Roman empire in 313 A.D., things changed. Christians found themselves in the position where they had some
responsibility for the use of power. How should Christians respond when they had the power to prevent or limit
violence and cruelty. How could one balance the teachings of Jesus with the demands of the state?

In the fourth century, St. Augustine tried to spell out what would constitute a “just” war. Naturally, he believed
that Christians who chose not to engage in war had no need to justify their decision, but those who decided to
go to war had to have good and sufficient reasons for doing so. For Augustine, a “just” war . . .

1. Can only occur when all possible alternatives to violence have been attempted, i.e.
   negotiation and diplomacy.
2. Must be fought only for a truly “just” cause. (Needless to say, defining what is “just”
   is never easy!)
3. Must be waged by duly constituted authority. In a democracy, all our elected leaders
   must come to an agreement, not simply a president or prime minister.
4. Must be waged in such a way as to protect non-combatants. Some of us wonder if
   that is even possible given the “collateral damage” of modern warfare.
5. Must ensure that more good than evil is likely to be the result of the “just” war.
   

Despite the fact that the great majority of Americans are Christian and that some claim America is a
“Christian” nation, I doubt our lawmakers or most Americans want to do the soul-searching that would justify
warfare against Syria. But we who care to follow the teachings of Jesus should carefully ponder his warning words
that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. And history has proved that he was right.

Love,
Dave