Response to Thomas Sowell

Syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell, whose writings are published regularly on our local newspaper's opinion page, made several statements in a recent column which demand a reply.  He opened the column by railing against American officials quoted in a New York Times article who stated that there would be a “proportional response” to any North Korean attack.  Calling it a “clever new notion,” Sowell made clear his contempt for the idea that a military response should be proportional to the original attack rather than massive and overwhelming.

Just War Theory

Just War Theory is the primary doctrine which permits Christians to participate in armed conflict.  It is useful to apply these criteria to the on-going so-called War on Terror.

Virtually all students of early church history agree that early Christianity was essentially pacifist in belief and practice.  As Christianity moved from being counter-cultural to being the established religion of the Roman Empire, church leaders adopted and refined what has come to be known as the Just War Theory.  This legal and moral code delineates for what cause and under what circumstances war may justly be waged by nation-states.  It was first articulated by the Roman statesman Cicero (first century BCE) but has roots in earlier practice. 

Christian Responses to War

This article was first published when the U.S. had just invaded Iraq.  Eight years later we are embroiled in three wars in the Middle East and Northern Africa - in Afghanistan and Iraq, and most recently in Libya.  While the loudest Christian voices in our media tend to advocate for either Just War or Crusade, it is important to remember that there are other Christian responses to war.

Despite the vigorous efforts of religious leaders and millions of their followers worldwide to advocate alternative solutions, war began in Iraq about two weeks ago [March 2003].  In the early days of the conflict there was some discussion on our Unitas (Moravian) email list about Christian approaches to armed conflict.  The Rev. Sam Gray, a Moravian minister who serves New Hope Moravian Congregation in Miami, Florida, posted a brief description of five general categories of thought on war which are current in various segments of the Christian community.  This column will expand on the outline that Pastor Sam provided as a way of focusing discussion.