Just War

Display the “love your enemies” quote from Jesus and discuss whether or not Christians should join the military. (Just War Slides)

Discuss the purpose of rules in sport. (What is the purpose of having clear rules for sport? Why is having clear rules in sport a good thing?) Students list three other examples in society where having clear rules is important. (Just War Slides)

Students find or create an image that represents the phrase “Just War”, before describing and defining the term. (Just War Slides)

As a class discuss when the concept of a ‘Just War’ might be necessary or justifiable.

Watch the documentary excerpt ‘Curbing Violence’ (7:50) and complete the TRUE/FALSE exercise. (Just War Slides)

Students summarise Augustine’s teachings about Christians and warfare, explaining how this was different to the actions of the first Christians?

Rowan Williams describes Augustine’s position as one of a “grudging concession”. Discuss why Augustine was willing to make this concession, and what limits he would have put on ‘going to war’.

Students research and record the conditions which qualify something as a ‘Just War’. As a class discuss what should be included on a list that makes war justifiable in today’s world.

Students list some of the things Christian leaders in medieval Europe did in order to try to curb violence. They should explain “Just War” theory, as well as medieval programs such as the Truce of God and the Peace of God. Students evaluate how effective these initiatives were.

Students read Romans 12:17-21 and answer the questions:

1. In what manner are God’s people instructed to live?
2. Why are Christians commanded to not take revenge?
3. What is significant about the phrase “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you” in v.18?
4. How could this passage help those in positions of power decide whether to get involved in war or conflict?

Students read Isaiah 2:1-5 and answer the questions:

5. Why does James condemn those who praise God but curse human beings?
6. How do you think we should treat people if we believed that they “have been made in God’s likeness”?

Students fill in a ‘For & Against’ table in response to the statement “Just War Theory is a positive contribution Christianity has had on the world.” (Just War Slides)

Discuss how the principles of “Just War” theory could be applied to modern-day conflicts? Students consider how practical and helpful the guidelines can be in real world scenarios.

• Article: Just war theory should be abandoned, says conference hosted by Vatican

Students read the article and compose a letter to the Pope outlining reasons for whether the church should preserve or abandon the “just war” theory.

• Article: Just War and Just Peace: Trying to be Just (20 min)

Students read or the article and write a 10 point summary.

Students research one war/conflict from the last 150 years. Using the table in the slides they apply the principles of “Just War” theory to determine if they think this conflict was justifiable based on the jus ad bellum and jus in bellum criteria. (Just War Slides)

Students compose a 300-word article for an online news site outlining their findings from the above research.