Faith and Force: A Christian Debate about War
United by Christian faith, Clough and Stiltner found themselves deeply divided in political judgment when the U.S. and the UK invaded Iraq in 2003. A Methodist pacifist, Clough believed the invasion violated basic tenets of Christian faith. A Catholic exponent of just-war theory, Stiltner regarded the invasion as a fully warranted effort to overthrow a lethally militarized dictatorship. An exchange of lengthy e-mails evolved into a dialogue about the entire question of Christian involvement in war. As the distillation of that dialogue, this book surveys the scriptures and theological arguments that have inspired pacifists since Tertullian and just-war exponents since Augustine. Beyond Iraq, the authors bring their respective convictions to bear on contemporary challenges—including nuclear proliferation and international terrorism. The dual perspective limns the strengths and the weaknesses of the two traditions, exposing both the risk that pacifists will embolden aggressors and the danger that just-war advocates will fight unnecessary wars. A cogent analysis of both immediate and long-term relevance. Christensen, BryceCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved