People are divided into two beliefs when it comes to participating in war. There is the “just war” belief and the “crusade” belief. The “just war” belief, also called the just war theory, is war based on defense. Examples of this are the Second World War and a Biblical example of the Israelites wiping out cities of enemies.

The “crusade” belief declares that violence is unethical, despite a desirable result. The ends do not justify the means. These people are also known as pacifists. Examples of this type of “crusade” are the Vietnam and Korean wars. There were killings on both sides of the conflict. Pacifists say Jesus said, “To love your enemy”. They take His warning to “turn the other cheek” at face value, therefore do not condone violence. (2.)

The church strongly defends pacifism as a moral choice for individuals. They teach us that violence is to be used only as a last resort, even when it is in self-defense. However, the church created criteria to determine when the use of violence should b

Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430) argued that war could be “morally justified” in certain cases. This is also know as the just war theory. The just war theory consists of two main beliefs. The first point being that war and violence should always be avoided and that we should not hurt anyone, including our enemy. It also states that “love calls Christians to restrain an enemy who would harm innocent people”. (Windley-Doust 306). All in all, the just war theory tries to balance these ideas saying that when it is necessary, limited violence may be used to protect the innocent. The purpose of just war theory is to try and stop war from occurring, and if it does occur, to limit it as much as possible. There is a criterion to follow the just war theory:

2. Competent Authority. War has to be announced by persons who are responsible for the public.

1. Just Cause. War is only acceptable when dealing with “a real and certain danger,” (Windley-Doust 307) towards innocent life. It also includes defense attack, recovering damages, and punishing evil doers.

7. Proportionality. The good to be gained by a war should outweigh the damage and the costs, both material and spiritual, to be caused by it. The ultimate object of a just war is to reconcile the parties so that the peace may be restored. (Lowey)

3. Comparative Justice. Whoever is considering war, must ask “Are the rights or values at stake consistent with Christian justice, and are they important enough to justify killing?”

This change by the church occurred when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Emp

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