The Virtue of War: Reclaiming the Classic Christian Traditions East & West

The book brings forward the historical position of Christianity in Just Wars. It adds clarity to the requirement of a Christian to evaluate their sovereign state's political position as to whether a war is just or unjust. It then makes clear that a just war is to be supported as a requirement of being a Christian! The book makes its arguments based on scripture and does not avoid the preference of Christianity to support peace -- it just recognizes that peace and Christian honesty require that a Christian fight to oppose oppression, subjugation, and degradation of the weak, the poor, and the down-trodden. The book adds a valuable perspective to the issues of war, peace, sacrifice, and duty. It clarifies the duty of the Christian citizenry. I commend it to every service person, every service person's family, and to every Christian that has the courage to broaden their understanding and faith.

I just had to comment because of the last rude comment. Everyone is entitled to their opinion so here is mine. The Virtue of War is a fabulous piece of writing that will open up your mind to new thoughts about something that has plagued generation after generation. I commend the writers on a fine piece of work and feel sorry for others who obviously missed the point when reading this book. Dr. Haty Kahn Ph.D. Theology Columbia University

The preeminence of pacifism within the Church as the proper reaction to military conflict is so established within contemporary Christianity that it is sometimes forgotten that this has not been the historic Christian position. Orthodox theologians Alexander F. C. Webster and Darrell Cole remind us of this fact in The Virtue of War, an important apologia for the Christian tradition of the just war. Webster and Cole begin with the turmoil democracies - centered primarily in nations with a Christian tradition - face with the onslaught of Islamic terrorism as in the 9/11 murder of innocent civilians. The authors immediately make an important distinction between the Christian tradition of justifiable war in order to defend the people of God from unprovoked aggression and the Islamic ideal of jihad that defends the idea of launching attacks upon non-Muslim neighbors for the purpose of extending Muslim controlled areas. After noting the division caused in the Church by the influence of modern liberal thinking on war, the authors then turn to a thorough examination of the Orthodox view of war and its justification in Holy Scripture, Church Fathers, Church Canons, Saints, Liturgies, and more modern Orthodox theologians. The breadth of this powerful tradition - often ignored in contemporary commentary - puts to rest any argument that the Eastern Church has largely been pacifist. Warfare is not only under certain circumstances justifiable, but is itself virtuous and not merely a "lesser of two evils." In this tradition, the Christian warrior protecting the people of God is seen as a noble and necessary calling to be respected within the Church. Webster and Cole then turn to the Western Church and see a similar position developed and taking hold within both the Catholic and Protestant traditions. The most renowned figures in both Catholicism (St. Ambrose, St. Augustine of Hippo, St Thomas Aquinas) and Protestantism (Martin Luther, John Calvin) all supported the idea of the just war although their presentations and arguments may have varied in approach. The authors also consider the writings of the Dutch Calvinist Hugo Grotius who represents the apex of the Protestant just war tradition. Turning then to the opponents of the just war tradition, the authors demonstrate both their failure to consider the whole counsel of God and their neglect of the witness of two millennia of the Church and its Great Tradition. The weaknesses of the modern approach are surveyed and its inability to contend with aggressive evil noted. Now that the Church is face-to-face with an aggressor who seeks our destruction, it is imperative that we reclaim the Christian concept of just war and not be cowed into believing that we are forbidden to defend ourselves. With The Virtue of War, Professors Webster and Cole have done the Church a great service in reminding us of the great heritage of the Christian warrior. If only the Church will listen...

This scholarly work provides ample evidence that a Just War is not the "lesser of two evils" but is rather a positive good. Using the Bible and reams and reams of references to the Church Fathers, Orthodox prelates, and Protestant reformers, the authors painstakingly back up their premise that war can be virtuous. The end of the book includes analyses of the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq. This worthwhile reading bogs down a bit in the middle where the authors continue to list their extensive references. The writing in this area speaks more of a scholarly effort than of popular fare, but once I was through this area, I was pleased to have made the effort. For those interested in learning about the historical, moral view of war, and seeing how recent developments in pacifistic thought have modified Just War Theory, I highly recommend this book.

This is an absolutely amazing book for the Christian. I wouldn't recommend it for the nonChristian, because, as a theological work, it takes the Bible as axiomatic. However, if you are a Christian that believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, then there is really no getting around the conclusions of this book, especially if you are Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, or Calvinist. For the evangelical, you will find enough Scripture references to be convinced amidst the appeals to tradition and logic. Complex at times, it is always insightful.