When War Is Unjust: Being Honest in Just-War Thinking

By John Howard Yoder

Book Overview

Can any war really be considered "just"? If so, which wars, and under what circumstances? If not, why not? When War Is Unjust provides a systematic exploration of these questions for students of ethics, Christian doctrine, and history. For centuries the just-war tradition has been the dominant framework for Christian thinking about organized conflict. This tradition sets a number of specific conditions which must be satisfied before a particular war can termed "just" and therefore supportable by the faithful Christian. John Howard Yoder, himself a pacifist, approaches the just-war theory on its own terms. His purpose: to introduce the student to this just-war tradition, and to offer a critical framework for evaluating its tenets and applying them to real conflicts. When War Is Unjust takes the just-war tradition seriously, and holds its proponents accountable in a critical debate about when - if ever - war can be justified. It is a readable and thought-provoking primer on the history, criteria, and application of just-war teaching in Christian churches. Study guides and a bibliography, as well as helpful responses from Charles Lutz (Lutheran) and Drew Christiansen (Roman Catholic) make this an ideal text for undergraduate ethics courses, peace studies, and individuals interested in exploring the meaning and application of just-war theory.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806620773
• ISBN13: 9780806620770
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Pub
• Length: 95 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A good non-voilent book

Yoder wrote a good book to support non-violence concept. We do need to think about how to use non-violence to solve some conflicts between 2 contries or states before we beginning a war.

Just War Accountability

Yoder does well to hold our feet to the fire. He does well as a pacifist not to argue against the Just War Tradition. In the purest sense he upholds it and affirms it for those of us in the tradition. We are not let off the hook with sloppy reasoning. A good, short read.

A concilitory critique of the Just War Tradition

Though a pacifist, John Yoder approaches the Just War tradition on its own terms and respectfully outlines the questions raised by the tradition itself. This is a must read for anyone seeking to apply the Just War Tradition into their own lifestyle and politics.