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

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.