It's Time To Rethink "Christian" Just War Theory

Have you ever questioned the morality of Christian involvement in war?

It's a complex and nuanced topic that has been debated for centuries within the Christian community. On one hand, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ came to bring peace and that Christians are called to love their enemies and turn the other cheek. On the other hand, there are passages in the Old Testament that seem to condone violence and warfare.

One way to understand the Christian perspective on war is through the concept of just war theory. Just war theory is a framework that attempts to justify the use of military force by examining whether a war is morally justifiable. According to just war theory, a war can be considered just if it is fought for a just cause, such as self-defense or protecting the innocent; if it is fought using proportionate means; and if it is fought with the intention of achieving a lasting peace.

Many Christians believe that just war theory provides a way to reconcile the Bible's teachings on peace and nonviolence with the reality of a fallen world in which war and violence sometimes seem necessary.

The Church's long and enduring "Just War" tradition has made it morally "safe" for many Christian leaders to be pro-military at all times and to support America's wars without any pause or hesitation.
Because wars can be just, the idea goes, followers of Christ should not only support them, they should participate in them.

The Just War tradition carves out a well-reasoned justification for Christians, who are not even allowed to hate their enemies or sue at law, to kill their enemies.

Of course, Christ's commands to love one's enemies are nowhere to be found in the many criteria of the so-called "Christian" Just War theory.

Let's be honest. Just War theory openly rejects the way of Christ in preference of homicidal violence as a means of conflict resolution. None of its criteria consult Him, let alone acknowledge Christ's existence.

Just War doctrine reads as if Christ never came and never existed.

Sadly, this is the moral measuring stick used by many Christians for deciding when homicidal violence is justified or unjustified.

And the way that the Just War theory works is that as long as the war is "just", the killing is not "murder."

That's the way the theory works.

But let's not forget that if the war does not meet ALL of the Just War criteria, then the war is "unjust" and the killing is "murder."

Do you find it strange that none of the Christian Just War advocates are willing to explain exactly how the Pentagon's methods, means, and conduct satisfy the Just War criteria?

When was the last time you heard a sermon about just war or just homicide?

Ever heard a sermon about "unjust" wars?

Are all of America's wars "just" now?

Does the theory that greenlights Christian participation in war have no criteria today except our own lusts and desires?

In this new teaching from our ongoing Rethink series, by Bible teacher Jerry Robinson will share why he rejects the Christian nature of the Just War Theory.

In this teaching, you will learn about:
- Christ's nonviolent love of friends and enemies
- The Apostle's nonviolent love of friends and enemies
- The nonviolent and antiwar roots of the early church
- The ancient origins and wide-ranging history of the Just War theory
- How "Just War" came to be considered a "Christian" revelation superior to Christ's commands to love one's enemy
- Why Christians should rethink Just War theory and consider a more Christ-centered approach to conflict resolution

While the world may continue to war after Christ's resurrection and ascension, it does not follow that Christians must join the world in waging its wars in order to be considered virtuous....