Just War, Lasting Peace: What Christian Traditions Can Teach Us (review)

Just War, Lasting Peace seeks to address some of the most critical questions demanding theological reflection today: 'How do believers look at war? How do we react to it and deal with it?' (p. 120). Building upon a November 2003 forum sponsored by the US Jesuit Conference and the Woodstock Theological Center, the book facilitates a dialogue between scholars, experts, policymakers and religious practitioners.

Distinguishing three parallel developments related to a theology ofjust war, the non-violent or pacifist tradition, the classical just war andthe contemporary just war tradition, the book commences with a brief historical overview before concentrating on the merits, disadvantages and relevance of each position in a post September 11th paradigm. Although an effort to incorporate Protestant, Jewish and Islamic thought on just war is sought, the strength of the book lies in its ability to delineate historic and contemporary Catholic contributions to a robust understanding of potential Christian responses to war. The final two chapters attempt to anticipate future developments building upon Pope John Paul II's insistence on forgiveness in the midst of international peace building efforts. Drawing upon the work of Donald Shriver, interesting insights are proffered regarding the political feasibility of inserting such a dynamic into the machinations of international relations.

The book conveys the synergy of an active dialogue along a broad spectrum of participants and professional disciplines in a format allowing limited critique and response by the various traditions. Its greatest assetis its ability to posit sharp theological reflections in the background of multiple morally questioned and terrorist infused conflicts. It is however, a primer. Each chapter concludes with a list of summary questions and the two appendixes offer suggested activities and resources for group meetings centred around group discussion. Introducing a crucial cultural debate the book engages the reader in a process of theological reflection both relevant and stimulating. While those seeking a more historical or analytical perspective might consider a more thorough work, Just War is a useful tool in developing a Christian response to the question of war.