The Just War Doctrine

The Just War Doctrine

Along with leading Democrats, Hollywood intellectuals and the university anti-war crowd, some religious leaders are clamoring for our national leaders to go easy on Saddam and forego war. The news media, which generally lists to the left, likes to make much of this lack of support for the president and the military from Protestant and Catholic clergy. This is interesting since the media usually couldn’t care less about what churches think or say about what is happening in America. People who would normally want churches to say nothing about matters outside their sanctuary now find their opinions newsworthy. It makes one think that the caveat is, “Keep your opinions to yourself unless you want to oppose President Bush; then you are welcomed to speak.”

It is worth asking, just what expertise in international affairs, terrorism, our national interests and safety does the average clergyman have? Those most outspoken against the war and the president tend to be associated with the liberal wing of Protestantism and Catholicism. Yes, there is such a thing, and those in that camp have a world view and agenda that runs parallel with those liberals of the political realm. Many who oppose the war Mr. Bush is contemplating voiced no objections to the wars Mr. Clinton directed.

Religious opponents of our using force to dislodge Saddam, appeal to “Christianity’s ‘just war’ doctrine” which sets forth “the theological tests for deciding the morality of war.” This “just war-doctrine” is bandied about as though it is something plainly written in God’s Word. The fact is, this doctrine originated with Augustine of Hippo (354-430), noted father of the Catholic Church. It certainly sets forth a noble ideal such as the Geneva Conventions and other modern attempts to control the conduct of nations when they contemplate or engage in military action. In reality, few nations have formed their national policy on its precepts. Aggressor nations who launched wars to enlarge their borders or control regions certainly have ignored its precepts. Nations victimized by invading armies rarely take time to ponder the doctrinal aspects of defensive measures or of a counterattack.

In the 1600 years since its formation, even in those European nations under strong Catholic influence have not been too bothered by the restrictions of the Just War Doctrine. In virtually all wars there is an aggressor and a victim nation. The aggressors ignore the recommendations of church leaders and the victims are too busy fighting for survival to worry about them.

Yes, war is evil, destructive and indiscriminate in the misery it brings. No one in his right might is eager for war. But in a world of greedy, ruthless and cruel aggressors, war is sometimes necessary just as personal self-defense, or the forceful intervention of law officers is sometimes necessary. Nice, peaceable nations that cannot bring themselves to arm and defend themselves make easy targets for the aggressors of the world. For me, our President and his civilian and military advisors, are much better qualified than priests, preachers and theologians to make these tough decisions regarding our nation’s safety and survival. For them I shall lift up my prayers. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God...” (I Tim. 2:1-3).

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