War Peace And Christianity

With issues of war and peace at the forefront of current events, an informed Christian response is needed. This timely volume answers 104 questions from a just-war perspective, offering thoughtful yet succinct answers. Ranging from the theoretical to the practical, the volume looks at how the just-war perspective relates to the philosopher, historian, statesman, theologian, combatant, and individual—with particular emphases on its historical development and application to contemporary geopolitical challenges. Forgoing ideological extremes, Charles and Demy give much attention to the biblical teaching on the subject as they provide moral guidance. A valuable resource for considering the ethical issues relating to war, Christians will find this book's user-friendly format a helpful starting point for discussion.

In a world of war, terrorism, and other geopolitical threats to global stability, how should committed Christians honor Jesus Christ and his Word? How should Christians think and act when it comes to church-state relations, the preservation of order, the practice of just peacemaking, and the use of coercive force? In this volume in IVP Academic's Spectrum series, four contributors—experts in Christian ethics, political philosophy, and international affairs—offer the best of current Christian thinking on issues of war and peace. They present four distinct views: Eric Patterson, just war view Myles Werntz, nonviolence view A. J. Nolte, Christian realist view Meic Pearse, church historical view Each contributor makes a case for his own view and responds to the others, highlighting complexities and real-world implications of the various perspectives. Edited and with an introduction and conclusion by the philosopher Paul Copan, this book provides a helpful orientation to the key positions today. Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.

One of the most important thinkers on just war and pacifism describes, analyzes, and evaluates various patterns of thought and practice in Western Christian history.

War, Peace, and Reconciliation invites Christians and their churches into a dialogue regarding how to think about war from a standpoint rooted in faith. It asks how reconciliation, which is central to Christian life and doctrine, can engage with therealities of war without surrendering its fundamental affirmations. Theodore Weber defines these realities politically by discussing the meanings of power, peace as a particular organisation of power, and the international system. The study of war and politics is unavoidable, as is engagement with reconciliation, because all human activity exists in the context of the gracious work of God to renew and reconcile the fallen creation. Weber's inquiry is theocentric and christocentric. It culminates in a stirring call to churches to examine all their practices in the light of this perspective.

How should Christians regard the use of military force? Should they become involved in fighting for their country? Can they not find a better way to settle differences? The author, a biblical scholar, writer, and missionary in Uruguay and Spain, turns to the history of the early church for answers. He notes that the early Christians opposed warfare and military service because of the teachings of Jesus. Jesus taught love for enemies and persecutors. This led the early believers to resist the evils and injustices of their time with nonviolent love and forgiveness. The author then shows how Christians eventually became involved in military life. However, Òbetween [A.D.] 100 and 312 no Christian writers, to our knowledge, approved of Christian participation in warfare. In fact, all those who wrote on the subject disapproved of the practice. You will discover that John Driver writes in clear, concise terms and that he offers food for thought and action.

Those who argue that Christians should be pacifists quote the words of Jesus: "Blessed are the peacemakers" and "resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right check turn to him the other also." Others argue that Christians are called to fight against evil and quote these words of Jesus: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." Can these two positions be reconciled? Is Jesus contradicting Himself? Does the Bible advocate peace at any price? Is the Christian ever permitted to use force in the context of his duty as a citizen? Should Christians compromise principles for the sake of avoiding war? And to have peace at any price? In a Christian View of War and Peace, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates offers sound biblical answers to these questions and many more in an exegetical study of Matthew 5:9 and other related New Testament passages. Alarmed by the church's misunderstanding of the term "peace," Dr. Zodhiates felt compelled to produce a systematic study of Scripture on the topic of war and peace. It is his belief that only Scripture can give us authoritative answers regarding the true meaning of peace and the proper reaction to evil in the world.

Guy F. Hershberger's comprehensive work on nonresistance, its application and practice by the church through history. Biblical nonresistance and pacifism are analyzed and contrasted. Practical suggestions are given for a vigorous program of teaching and practice.