pacifism

Can there ever be a ‘just war?’

Here is, in my opinion, one of the best and clearest summaries of the issues of crusade, just war and pacifism: Samuel Wells Can there ever be a ‘just war?’ from St Martin-in-the-Fields Autumn Lecture Series 2014, ‘Living Without Enemies: Christian Responses to War and Violence’.

World War II, the battle of the Somme, Wikimedia Creative Commons

Många kan tycka det var märkligt att tyska kristna, även motståndare till den nazistiska regimen, var lojala patrioter i relation till den aggressiva tyska utrikespolitiken.  Men om man läser nedanstående text från 1929 av Bonhoeffer blir det inte så märkligt.

Påminns om... pacifism igen

Med tanke på Milbank drar jag mig till minnes ett citat från Yoder:

43”You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

The Anabaptists, partly because of outside forces, gave priority to the proclamation and realization of the gospel in the community before they participated in shaping the world. Already Celsus blamed such an attitude for leaving "the government on earth for the most lawless and wildest barbarians" who neither respect the worship of God nor true wisdom among people. The accusation that Christian pacifism thrives on the fact that others take care of the dirty business of politics has a tradition!