Just War, Lasting Peace: What Christian Traditions Can Teach Us

Bys: Kleiderer, John, Minaert, Paula, Mossa, Mark, et al.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157075649X
• ISBN13: 9781570756498
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Orbis Books
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Introduction

This is a good book. I especially can recommend it for those seeking a textbook on the issue of Just War and Christian Ethics, as that is the intent of its creation. It would also serve as a good introduction for those not well acquainted with Christianity and the Just War tradition, and are looking for a staring place. There are also the voices of some pacifists and "Just Peace" included. The writing is lucid and direct, so it is a very readable book. There is good detail and focus on how the Just War tradition emerged, as well as some Jewish and Muslim perspectives about war. While it focuses on the Catholic tradition mainly, it does have some supplements on Protestant dispositions towards war and violence (omitted were Reinhold Niebuhr and Martin Luther King Jr., unfortunately). The book has some discussion also of terrorism and the Iraq war as well. There are numerous films and books recommended as case studies and for further reading at the end. The only weakness of the book is perhaps that it is too short. Another fifty pages (it peters out after 130) at least would have given it more impressive dimension, but for a short book it wastes no words and covers a good deal of introductory material in a responsible and thorough manner. Though not perfect, I do highly recommend it.

Excellent resource on just war and pacifist traditions

This excellent resource on the various Christian approaches to the just war and pacifist traditions grew out of a 2003 forum on war and peace at Georgetown University. Many voices from that forum are represented here, primarily Roman Catholics speaking to the pacifist, contemporary just war, and classical just war traditions, though also some Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant voices. Occasionally (especially in the chapter "The Three Traditions Today") one gets the sense that the speeches were cut just a bit too much in the interests of space, but overall a very lively debate emerges that does justice to all the traditions represented. For me, the most powerful section was "The Power of Forgiveness" by William Bole. Insights from many of the voices that come earlier are integrated to look at how one might work toward a peaceful order in the world without sacrificing justice or giving free reign to those bent on violence. Bole draws practical lessons from recent successes and missteps in South Africa, Chile, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom. The resounding voice of this resource on war and peace is that another way is possible, that people of faith can draw on the strength that comes from their relationship to God in order to establish a more peaceful, grace-filled world. The voice of contemporary just war and pacifist adherents seems to be strongest here in the presumption of many contributors against violence, but everywhere in the volume one can find hope, as well as specific suggestions, for lasting peace for all peoples. I sincerely hope others will read this book and continue talking about and working toward that end.