Just War, Lasting Peace: What Christian Traditions Can Teach Us (Paperback)

~ John Kleiderer (Editor), Paula Minaert (Editor), Mark Mossa (Editor) "Ongoing conflict in Iraq, even though officially the war has ended, still fills the media..." (more)
Key Phrases: conflict transformation, historic peace churches, small group facilitator, United States, New York, Discussion Questions (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (May 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157075649X
• ISBN-13: 978-1570756498
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #832,000 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource on just war and pacifist traditions, June 2, 2006

By	Christopher Tessone (Durham, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This excellent resource on the various Christian approaches to the just war and pacifist traditions grew out of a 2003 forum on war and peace at Georgetown University. Many voices from that forum are represented here, primarily Roman Catholics speaking to the pacifist, contemporary just war, and classical just war traditions, though also some Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant voices. Occasionally (especially in the chapter "The Three Traditions Today") one gets the sense that the speeches were cut just a bit too much in the interests of space, but overall a very lively debate emerges that does justice to all the traditions represented.

For me, the most powerful section was "The Power of Forgiveness" by William Bole. Insights from many of the voices that come earlier are integrated to look at how one might work toward a peaceful order in the world without sacrificing justice or giving free reign to those bent on violence. Bole draws practical lessons from recent successes and missteps in South Africa, Chile, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom.

The resounding voice of this resource on war and peace is that another way is possible, that people of faith can draw on the strength that comes from their relationship to God in order to establish a more peaceful, grace-filled world. The voice of contemporary just war and pacifist adherents seems to be strongest here in the presumption of many contributors against violence, but everywhere in the volume one can find hope, as well as specific suggestions, for lasting peace for all peoples. I sincerely hope others will read this book and continue talking about and working toward that end.

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Introduction, August 13, 2008

By	Will Jerom (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

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This is a good book. I especially can recommend it for those seeking a textbook on the issue of Just War and Christian Ethics, as that is the intent of its creation. It would also serve as a good introduction for those not well acquainted with Christianity and the Just War tradition, and are looking for a staring place. There are also the voices of some pacifists and "Just Peace" included. The writing is lucid and direct, so it is a very readable book. There is good detail and focus on how the Just War tradition emerged, as well as some Jewish and Muslim perspectives about war. While it focuses on the Catholic tradition mainly, it does have some supplements on Protestant dispositions towards war and violence (omitted were Reinhold Niebuhr and Martin Luther King Jr., unfortunately). The book has some discussion also of terrorism and the Iraq war as well. There are numerous films and books recommended as case studies and for further reading at the end. The only weakness of the book is perhaps that it is too short. Another fifty pages (it peters out after 130) at least would have given it more impressive dimension, but for a short book it wastes no words and covers a good deal of introductory material in a responsible and thorough manner. Though not perfect, I do highly recommend it.