Christian Teachings on the Just War

Christian Teachings on the Just War

The just war theory is guidelines to countries about the implications

of war.

The theories about just war began in the 4th century BC with

Aristotle. During 1st-4th century AD, most Christians refused to join

the Roman army because they felt that war went against Jesus'

teachings on loving you enemies. The Christian pacifists also believed

that joining the army would violate one of the commandments, 'Thou

shall not have false idols', as the enrolment involved an offering of

incense to the emperor. This changed in 312 AD, when Constantine

became emperor. Christianity was legalised in 316AD.

In the 4th century AD Christians joined the army. This had to be done

because if Christians were against the army, there would have been

barely anyone in the army as most were Christians, it was a political

necessity. This was when the distinction between personal and private

morality came about. In order for Christians to be in the Roman army,

Jesus' teachings only applied to private morality, so that the

Christians did not feel guilty for going to war, because their public

moral were applying.

Augustine introduces the just war theory into Christianity and in the

13th century Thomas Aquinas set down the first 3 conditions of the

modern just was theory. Further conditions were added later on.

Today, there are 8 conditions of just war. Some are jus ad bellum,

meaning what you do in preparation for war and some are jus in bello,

what your conduct is during war.

1) It must be declared by a supreme authority. If anyone wanted to

begin a war, wars would be continuous; this is something you do in

preparation for war so it is jus ad bellum.

2) The cause must be just. This is jus ad bellum because you decide if

the war is just before war has started. There is only one just cause

to go to war, to defend oneself.

3) War must be the last resort. If the situation can be resolved by