Reading War, Justice, and Peace: A Guide to the Series

Introduction

The articles gathered under this theme were not written as isolated reflections. Together they form a developing body of Christian moral and theological work addressing war, violence, and the pursuit of peace in a fallen world. This guide provides a logical reading order, short summaries of each piece, and a statement of intent for the work that lies ahead.

Why a Reading Order Matters

Questions of war and peace do not begin with strategy or policy but with moral limits, theological commitments, and the recognition that violence—however justified—always carries human cost. Reading these essays out of sequence risks obscuring that progression and flattening the moral argument.¹

The order presented here reflects the internal logic of the work as it has developed: from moral foundation, to theological coherence, to historical restraint, to contemporary application, and finally to pastoral realism.

• Moral clarity before moral application: Ethical reflection on war must begin with the sanctity of human life before it can responsibly address questions of force and restraint.²

Recommended Reading Order

The following sequence is offered to help readers engage the material as a coherent whole rather than as disconnected commentary.³

The Logical Progression

1. You Shall Not Murder: The Sixth Commandment as the Moral Plumb Line for War : Establishes the non-negotiable moral boundary of the sanctity of human life and refuses to dissolve the tension between murder and killing.
2. God’s Knowledge, Human Freedom, and the Commands to Joshua : Addresses difficult biblical texts by holding together divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and moral coherence.
3. The Pre-1900 Just War Tradition : Traces the historical development of Just War thought as a tradition of restraint rather than permission.
4. Israel’s Response to the October 7, 2023 Attacks : Applies established moral principles to a contemporary conflict marked by extreme provocation and civilian suffering.
5. Peace in the Ruins: Biblical Justice and the Realities of Modern Warfare : Integrates theology, history, and lived experience, confronting the moral limits of modern total war and the enduring responsibility for post-war repair.⁴

Future Direction of the Work

This series is not complete. The next phase of writing will focus explicitly on pastoral care for those who bear the moral burden of war—particularly soldiers, veterans, chaplains, and their families. This will include reflection on pastoral responsibility before deployment, during active service, and in the long aftermath of conflict, where moral injury, grief, and unresolved questions often persist.

Future articles will also examine specific historical conflicts—including the First World War, the Second World War, Vietnam, and the War on Terror—with attention not only to strategic or political outcomes but to moral reasoning, theological constraint, and human cost.

Conclusion

These articles are offered not as final answers but as disciplined Christian reflection in a world where easy answers are rarely faithful. Readers are encouraged to engage them slowly, critically, and with the seriousness the subject demands.