Scripture: Joshua 11: 16-23

A simple definition of the complex word "war" is "an exchange between two armed units of contenders in a political power struggle." The actors are combatants using discriminant means. That is, a war, in the traditional sense, is aimed at only military installations and combatants. (Peter Sederberg, Terrorist Myths, Illusion, Rhetoric, and Reality p. 34). But there are people who say everything goes in love and war.

A just-war tradition has been inherited by Western Christians from the Middle Ages, from the time of St. Augustine. While Islam teaches peace, there is also a tradition of just or holy war which it has inherited as well.

The focus of just-war, according to medieval Christian tradition, as endorsed by St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Acquinas, makes a distinction between "resorting to just war" ("just ad bellum") and "just conduct" during the course of war ("just in bello"). The five major principles for just-war, according to this tradition, are just cause, just intent, last resort, legitimate authority, reasonable hope of success. Just conduct in war relates to "discrimination" and "proportionality."

Though the Canon Law of Catholicism has these definitions of just-war, the U.S. Catholic bishops in their 1983 pastoral letter, used these very definitions to say "no" to nuclear war, and say "yes" to nuclear deterrence. Their chief argument was based on the fact that a nuclear war can never be discriminant.

United Methodist Council of Bishops wrote in their "In Defense of Creation: The Nuclear Crisis and a Just Peace," "a just-war ethic is never enough. Our churches must nurture a new theology of a just peace" (35).

REFLECTION:

AGONIZING ETHICAL CHOICES:

(1) What is "collateral damage" in a war?

(2) Are precision, proportionality, discrimination possible in a war? Can violence be sanitized through these means?

(3) What are your views on civilians being killed in a war?

(4) What are the ways in which your local church or United Methodist Unit can nurture a new understanding of just peace (peace with justice)?

(5) Sing United Methodist Hymnal #376, "Dona Nobis Pacem."

What elements would you list for a "just peace" or "peace with justice" theory?

PRAYER:

Dear God, guide us as we make excruciating ethical decisions in life. We pray for inner peace when we are on the right path and disturbed dreams when we are not. We love you We are your people. You are our moral compass, God. Amen.