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Christianity Today, September, 2007 |

DO LIKEWISE

Our Teachable Moment

The Iraq war calls for some serious rethinking by Christians.

David. P. Gushee | posted 9/26/2007 08:50AM

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But sometimes just-war theory produces predetermined results depending on the prior loyalty of the person employing the theory. If we cannot reform how we use just-war theory, then we ought to abandon it and come up with something better.

When the Iraq war is over, we will need a time of national (and Christian) mourning and repentance. Whatever one thinks of the origins of the war, or what to do now, its cost in blood and treasure for both Iraq and the United States has been profound. We have seen (once again) the limits of what war can accomplish. Perhaps our sorrow can lead to a renewed commitment to the things that make for peace.

Related Elsewhere:

Gushee's columns are available online.

For more coverage on the Iraq conflict, commentary and thought on just war, or Christian debate, see our CT War in Iraq archive.

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September 2007, Vol. 51, No. 9

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Kirk Peffers

Posted: October 04, 2007 4:40 PM


No need to "rethink just-war theory." A competent assessment before this war would have told you in advance not to do Iraq.

Emily D. Thrush

Posted: October 01, 2007 3:09 PM


Thank you for this thoughtful article. It shows wisdom and humility to re-think a position that is so nationally contested and has so many powerful emotions connecting the issue with Christians across the political spectrum. Gushee's points are strongly reasoned and biblically grounded. We would do well to listen.

Tesfatadelle

Posted: October 01, 2007 10:19 AM

Second guessing is not a strategy and has become a National past time. Are we all trying to encourage each other to pray? Or do we find it easy to sharpen our pens to write rather than be on our knees? After all the Bible does say, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases" Proverbs 21:1. Where is our emphasis? I am no Adam Smith, but I believe the "Invisible Hand" does guide us if we so request it per Jer 33:3 or 29:11-14

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