Darrell Cole. When God Says War is Right. WaterBrook Press. 2002.

This timely book provides the Christian with a means to determine if a particular war is being fought for Godly reasons. The book consists of eight chapters that walk the reader through a brief study of war in scripture, a discussion of God's character and war, and a discussion of Christian virtue and warfare. Then it outlines principles for when and how Christians should fight. World War II, Vietnam, the Gulf War, nuclear weapons, and terrorism are covered in the final chapters.

There is so much information in this book that I couldn't possibly mention everything in a review. Therefore, I have selected what seemed most significant for you. The author states several criteria for jus ad bellum (means justice towards war).

The Christian tradition has typically settled on five criteria for jus ad bellum: (1) proper authority, (2) just cause, (3) right intention, (4) war as the only way to right the wrong, and (5) reasonable hope of success. Each criterion has both a positive and a negative connotation. Like the Ten Commandments, each rule both commands and forbids.

In general, we may say that when all five criteria are met, Christians have a duty to fight the war, and when any one of these criteria cannot be met, Christians are forbidden to fight. [Page 78.]

The remainder of this book describes what led up to the development of these criteria and how they are applied to past and present wars. There is much food for thought in this book.

Recommendation

I strongly urge all Christians to read this book even if they don't totally understand everything contained in it. We need a national debate in this nation on how to decide when to authorize the President to declare war. This is a very controversial topic. I have little doubt that two groups could read this book, look at the same war, and come to differing conclusions.

May I encourage you to think about your Christian beliefs and how they apply to war by purchasing this book?

The author has succeeded in taking a difficult subject and putting it into layman's terms. He tried to explain the background theology, various denominational stances, and scripture which led to developing the widely accepted criteria for determining if a war is just.

Copyrighted by Diana Pederson, 2005-2009