A Basic Guide to the Just War Traditi..., Eric Patterson
A Basic Guide to the Just War Traditi..., Eric Patterson
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A Basic Guide to the Just War Tradition
Christian Foundations and Practices

Author: Eric Patterson

Narrator: Kent Klineman

Unabridged: 6 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/17/2023

Synopsis

This brief introduction surveys Christian thinking on an array of topics related to security and peace from a just war perspective. Drawing primarily on Scripture and theology, Eric Patterson explores the moral dimensions of order, justice, and peace in light of key Christian doctrines such as love of neighbor, stewardship, vocation, and sphere sovereignty. He also examines the perennial questions of civil disobedience, terrorism, revolution, and holy war (including a discussion of Israel's removal of the Canaanites and the Crusades) and interacts with theological thinkers throughout Christian history. The volume concludes with a treatment of punishment and restitution, considering how these can help move a society toward conciliation.

While ideal as a textbook for courses on Christian ethics, theology and politics, and church and society, this book will also appeal to pastors and lay audiences questioning the morality of war and Christians' involvement in force. Christians who serve in government, law enforcement, and the military will also find helpful guidance for thinking theologically about their vocations.

About Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson is executive vice president of the Religious Freedom Institute and scholar-at-large and former dean of the Robertson School of Government at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He previously served in the US military and at the US State Department. He has authored or edited numerous books on the ethics of war, including Just American Wars: Ethical Dilemmas in US Military History and Just War and Christian Traditions.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Ben on September 12, 2024

Was looking for an exposition of this topic more grounded in Scripture primarily. Patterson turns to Scripture throughout in this book, but leans heavily into historical Christian teaching/experiences as well as Christian authors like C.S. Lewis. As helpful as those insights are, I am concerned firs......more

Goodreads review by Conner on March 27, 2024

This book is so accessible and helpful. Nothing in this book is incredibly groundbreaking, but that is not the author’s intent. Patterson provides a good introduction to the just war tradition. I liked the Star Wars, Marvel, and all the rest of the pop culture references.......more

Goodreads review by Conrade on November 08, 2023

In wars, there are generally no winners. All parties involved would have suffered losses regardless of the numbers. How can anyone quantify suffering? How do we measure the emotional trauma we bring back home after a war? How can we even justify the loss of a single human being? The costs of war go......more

Goodreads review by Danny on March 25, 2025

War is incredibly morally messy. Christians long for a day where there is no war, but in the world that we have, how can we wage war justly? This is the question that the "just war tradition" has attempted to answer for centuries, and Patterson does an incredible job distilling it into a concise and......more

Goodreads review by Joe on October 14, 2024

4.5- excellent book.......more

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