The Just War Revisited (Current Issues in Theology) [Paperback]

Oliver O'Donovan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521538998 | ISBN-13: 978-0521538992 | Publication Date: November 10, 2003

With Christian views differing widely on the morality of war, this book seriously re-examines ethical questions of contemporary urgency. The text covers the use of biological and nuclear weapons, military intervention, economic sanctions, and the role of the U.N. Opening with a challenging dedication to the new Archbishop of Canterbury, it proceeds to analyze vital topics which the Archbishop and others will find relevant to the discussion of the ethics of warfare.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... this book provides a very good introduction to a sophisticated understanding of the just war tradition. it details the origins of the tradition, its central ideas and the dilemmas it confronts in a manner that avoids the simplistic methodology of applying the well-known criteria to particular wars that shapes much 'just war' thinking in International Relations but that is still succinct and engaging. As such, it provides a welcome and important addition to the way we think about responding to the challenge of global terrorism.' International Affairs

'A highly recommended book.' Scientific and Medical Network Review

'This is an unusual and insightful contribution to the literature on just-war theory and provides a novel focus for examining the morality of armed conflict.' Times Literary Supplement

'... essential reading for anyone who thinks seriously about the process of moral decision-making in relation to war.' Theology

'... characteristically learned and judicious book ... essential reading for anyone who thinks seriously about the process of moral decision-making in relation to war ... I can but applaud much of what is written here and urge that it still needs to be heard by many who pronounce too easily on the relationship of Christianity and war ... important and interesting insights ...' Theology

'The debate about the legality and wisdom of the Iraq war has been more bitter and prolonged than any such debate since Suez. Though this book by the Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at Oxford went to press before the war broke out it could be used to make a much needed calm and thorough contribution to the debate.' The Expository Times

'Haacker's study of the theology of Romans is an extremely rich and helpful treatment.' The Expository Times

'Reading this book at times gave me the impression of being taken behind the scenes and, say, watching a great conductor rehearsing with the orchestra. At a rehearsal one may not hear the work played right through; but this is more than made up for by the insight that is gained, the trains of thought provoked, and the unseen possibilities glimpsed. A master class is different from a performance, and this book is more like a master class than a concert.' Crucible

'To anyone who thinks that there simply cannot be anything new to say about just wars, Professor O' Donavon's book will come as a most refreshing surprise ... I found myself persuaded by his vision, time and again. The book demands careful reading, but it is non-technical. I recommend it most highly.' The Way

'This is a carefully written book that requires, and rewards, close attention ... It deals with the issues in a coherent fashion and will be of great help to any ministers seeking to clarify their own views in this area and/or wishing to help their people to do the same.' Ministry Today

'O'Donovan throughout the book shows understanding and skill in reasoning about the nuances of the just war proposal, and, though a theologian, he offers insights for the non-theologian and non-church institution as well ...' Perspectives in Religious Studies

'O'Donovan tackles with clarity, erudition and courage a morally impossible subject. He does not shrink from the 'dirty' issues that inevitable arise when thinking about justice in the context of war.' Studies in Religion

Book Description

Leading political theologian Oliver O'Donovan takes a fresh look at some traditional moral arguments about war. Christians differ widely on this issue. The book re-examines questions of contemporary urgency, including the use of biological and nuclear weapons, military intervention, economic sanctions, and the role of the UN. It opens with a challenging dedication to the new Archbishop of Canterbury and proceeds to shed light on vital topics with which that Archbishop and others will be very directly engaged. It should be read by anyone concerned with the ethics of warfare.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (November 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521538998
• ISBN-13: 978-0521538992
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #897,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good book, but I disagree with O'Donovan, March 21, 2006

By 

Marco D. Funk "punkfaithman" (Rosthern, SK CANADA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Just War Revisited (Current Issues in Theology) (Paperback)

The book is a compilation of lecture essays that were delivered in Scotland (I think). He takes contemporary issues in war and peace and holds them up to the just war tradition and carves a path between liberal and conservative assumptions on issues such as nuclear warfare, urban guerilla warfare, weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, and their relation to a Christian political theology.

Although I am extremely uncomfortable with the ease with which O'Donovan speaks about justifiable wars; I was impressed with his articulation of discrimination in warfare. I am quite happy that the just war conversation has such well-articulate 'fans'; yet his connection of this tradition to the Christian Church and faith is disturbing.

His most problematic theological assumption is that the current 'dispensation' (a term he doesn't use, but assumes) is such that warfare is a proper expression of the judgment of the state. In his brief mention of eschatology, he suggests that since the kingdom of God is off in some distant future; the state and its warfare are necessary, and God gifted, provisional instruments used in God's justice-purposes. In other words, Christ's focal message of 'God's kingdom come' is completely left aside in favor of a quasi-realist, quasi-pragmatic practice of violent judgment.

I just wanted to ask O'Donovan if all this nitpicking about just causes, just weapons, and appropriate discrimination of attacks would have made any difference to Jesus who could be found, in all likelihood, among the ashes and the dying of any given war. Is any war 'just' that leaves children ripped to shreds? Challenging, good, and frustrating read...

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars good overview of the classical just-war position, April 11, 2006

By 

C. Dolack "c.d." - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Just War Revisited (Current Issues in Theology) (Paperback)

The just-war position has often been misunderstood and wrongly applied to try justify conflict that has already begun. This book does a good job of returning to a classic understanding of the theory of a just war. However, the author makes some large assumptions about the state of humanity and forgets that we are incapable of perceiving justice in a manner that is in a state of grace without the flaws of sin and subjective judgment.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Christian Liberal Internationalist, August 4, 2011

By 

C P Slayton (Monterey, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Just War Revisited (Current Issues in Theology) (Hardcover)

If you were to put Oliver O'Donovan into a school of international relations theory it would probably align with a Christian liberal internationalism. In the introductory pages O'Donovan sets up his argument that just war theory allows more than self-defense. It must also allow for justice. At the same time 'heroes' must act with courage and restraint. This is balanced with the notion that governments too easily justify their actions by way of legalism, the letter of the law. The just war tradition must certainly be kept from such corruption, as O'Donovan recognizes.

O'Donovan walks through 'just war' theory with sections on authority, discrimination, proportion and their sub-categories. The nature of the international system and warfare technology has changed much since the beginning of the 20th century and the application of just war theory is in constant debate following the collapse of the Soviet Union. O'Donovan ponders these developments using many classical theorists like Augustine, Aquinas and Suarez (an apparent favorite of his). One noteworthy omission is any contribution from Michael Walzer.

Authority is no longer only the authority of a nation-state. International organizations like the UN must also be included in this category with supranational authority to exercise justice, not merely allowing self-defense. O'Donovan came back to the first Gulf War in 1991 as the example to this authority and its functioning collective security. There are also quite a few fascinating angles on proportionality. Securing self-defenses without a proper threat could violate proportionality. Adhering to this principle could mitigate the security dilemma. War is not only kinetic. There is 'war by other means' which has devastating effects and thus must fall under the principles of justice.

On top of discussing weapons development and weapons use, what makes just war theory different in O'Donovan's writing is the focus on the church's responsibility. O'Donovan chastises the Anglican church (which in itself is an interesting comparison to church/state function in places like the Unites States) for not using sufficient moral language in its recommendations to the House of Commons. If anything, the religious leaders must explain the moral arguments. There is a hint of Stanley Hauerwas' political theology in claiming that too often the church falls back on enlightenment era logic, attempting to justify its reasoning according to the mode of intellectualism. Instead, the church needs to be the first to remind government of moral responsibility.

Yes, O'Donovan is not a pacifist like Stanley Hauerwas. He's not a full Christian realist like Niebuhr either. The 'Christian' prefix applied to realism could also apply to liberalism, constructivism and idealism. O'Donovan leans more to the first.