War and the Christian Conscience : Where Do You Stand?

by Fahey, Joseph J.

• ISBN13: 9781570755835
• ISBN10: 1570755833
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-31
• Publisher: Orbis Books

Summary

"The Christian tradition has supplied a variety of answers to the question of war - but how are we to decide which one is right? More basically, how does one go about forming one's personal conscience? For all who ponder these questions - whether young people facing military service, or counselors, chaplains, or teachers - this book is essential."--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Joseph J. Fahey is Professor of Religious Studies and a member of the Peace Studies faculty at Manhattan College.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xv
PART I CONSCIENCE
Nicole's Conscience	3	(8)
Conscience and What Forms It	11	(18)
The Nature of Conscience	12	(2)
Perspectives That Form Conscience	14	(10)
War and the Individual Conscience	24	(1)
Recommended Reading	25	(4)
PART II WAR AND CONSCIENCE IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY
Model 1: Pacifism	29	(41)
Introduction	29	(1)
Pacifism in the Hebrew Scriptures	30	(3)
Pacifism in the Christian Scriptures	33	(8)
The Pacifism of the Early Christians	41	(4)
Clerical Pacifism	45	(2)
Medieval Pacifism	47	(3)
Humanist Pacifism	50	(1)
The Historic Peace Churches	51	(3)
Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Peace Witness	54	(6)
Church Statements on Pacifism	60	(2)
Terrorism and Pacifism	62	(3)
Conclusion	65	(4)
Recommended Reading	69	(1)
Model 2: Just War	70	(45)
Introduction	70	(2)
Just War in the Hebrew Scriptures	72	(3)
Just War in the Christian Scriptures	75	(8)
From Pacifism to Just War	83	(3)
Development of the Just War Model: Ambrose and Augustine	86	(5)
The Penitential Books on War	91	(2)
The Peace of God and the Truce of God	93	(3)
Thomas Aquinas and Just War	96	(3)
Later Developments in the Just War Model	99	(3)
Weapons of Mass Destruction and Just War	102	(2)
Official Statements on Just War	104	(5)
Terrorism and Just War	109	(1)
Conclusion	110	(4)
Recommended Reading	114	(1)
Model 3: Total War	115	(33)
Introduction	115	(1)
Holy War in the Hebrew Scriptures	116	(2)
Holy War in the Christian Scriptures	118	(3)
The Crusades: God's Wars	121	(7)
Military Religious Orders	128	(1)
The Inquisitions: Crusades at Home	129	(5)
The Conquistadors: Crusades Abroad	134	(2)
The Fascist Security State	136	(4)
Terrorism and Total War	140	(2)
Conclusion	142	(4)
Recommended Reading	146	(2)
Model 4: World Community	148	(43)
Introduction	148	(2)
World Community in the Hebrew Scriptures	150	(2)
World Community in the Christian Scriptures	152	(4)
Natural Law	156	(2)
Do Indians Have Souls?	158	(3)
Bartotomé de Las Casas	161	(6)
The Legacy of Las Casas	167	(3)
The Seed Is Planted	170	(2)
Pacem in Terris—Peace on Earth	172	(3)
The World Council of Churches	175	(1)
The World Federalist Movement	176	(1)
International Organizations	177	(3)
Terrorism and World Community	180	(2)
Conclusion	182	(5)
Recommended Reading	187
PART III WAR AND YOUR CONSCIENCE
Where Do You Stand?	191	(4)
Sources Consulted	195