Review date: March 2003
Reviewed in: The Door
When, if ever, can a war be called 'just'? The author examines the developing idea of just war' in the Christian tradition, one which popular thinking often misunderstands. Rejecting the simplistic idea of a 'check-list' to decide whether or not a war is just, he shows some of the principles involved in this complex area. It is not a discussion of questions of war and pacifism, nor is it a simple study. But those wishing to do serious thinking about the question will find much to guide and perhaps change their thinking.
Reviewed at: London Bible College website at http://www.londonbiblecollege.ac.uk/
Reviewed by: Phil Groom
Review date: April 2003
This booklet could hardly have been published at a more appropriate time. Goddard's own words from the introduction sum up its importance:
"Living as we do in the midst of wars and rumours of wars it is vitally important that Christians think seriously about how to speak and act when nations take up arms against each other. When, if ever, is war justified?" (p.3) Goddard writes largely to address his concern that Christians, politicians and the media have misunderstood - and consequently often misuse - the concept of Just War. The Just War Tradition (JWT) is more than a simple "shopping list of criteria", he argues, and the tendency to see it in these terms robs it of its power. He takes us through a concise history of JWT, its origins in early classical thinking, its subsequent Christian appropriation and development, more recent developments during the Cold War era, the challenges faced by the post Cold War situation and on into the 21st century post Sept 11th 2001. He then breaks the discussion down into its two primary areas of concern: decisions about commencing war (two chapters look at issues of just cause, right intention, when to wage war and who has the authority to do so, and reviews the problems arising out of these) and decisions during war (one chapter, looking at discrimination between legitimate and illegitimate targets, and issues of proportion - means and ends). Finally a brief conclusion summarizes the arguments and sets the discussion within the larger framework of the church's place within contemporary international politics - and calls us to pray for the coming of Christ's kingdom, "the reign of the crucified and risen Messiah". It's impossible in a booklet of this length (28 pages) to do justice to an issue that has seen vast tomes and endless reams devoted to it, and there's a danger that this review commits the very crime that Goddard seeks to redress. But if you're looking for a straightforward summary of the issues to help bring your thoughts into focus, this booklet is definitely the place to start - once again, a Grove booklet lives up to the publisher's claim: "Not the last word - but often the first."
Review date: February 2003
Reviewed in: Christian Herald
Reviewed by: John Woods I have been a subscriber to Grove booklets for well over a decade. I do not always agree with all that is written, but always welcome these brief but stimulating booklets. Grove boast that they represent: "Not the last word...but often the first." With talk of a possible war in Iraq, the Grove Ethical series has produced a timely reflection on the subject of the Just War Theory. Andrew Goddard begins by reminding the reader that alongside the Just War position there is a long tradition of pacifism in the Christian Church. Then he suggests that the Just War concept is regularly misunderstood and misapplied. The reason for this is a failure to see the theory in its rich theological context and instead to merely see its criteria as a checklist to be ticked before entering a conflict. This booklet restates the tenets of Just War Theory and explores the implication of it for a conflict in the 21st Century. Goddard examines ways in which new technology and the present complicated political balance post-Cold War make the idea of Just War difficult to apply today. I welcome his thinking that challenges the thoroughly confusing notion of a 'war on terrorism'. This brief booklet is a reminder that care needs to be exercised before any government unleashes the 'dogs of war'. I wonder if Tony has been sent a copy?