Why War is Incompatible with Christian Ethics

This entry is part 1 of 4 in the series Christian Ethics and Violence

Previously, I have briefly made the case for Christian pacifism.  I have also responded to some of the most common theological objections to Christian pacifism.  Here, I will examine the logic of Christian just war theory and show why it is deeply problematic. Just War and Christian Love According to Christian just war theory, it … Read more

Why Capital Punishment is Incompatible with Christian Ethics

This entry is part 2 of 4 in the series Christian Ethics and Violence

Previously on this blog, I have made the case for Christian pacifism, critiqued Christian just war theory, and responded to the most common objections to Christian pacifism.  One might assume that adopting an antiwar, pacifist stance necessarily entails being opposed to the death penalty.  However, this is not necessarily the case, since there are some … Read more

Why Killing in Self-Defense is Incompatible with Christian Ethics

This entry is part 3 of 4 in the series Christian Ethics and Violence

A Right to Self-Defense? Most people in our culture would say that killing an assailant in self-defense is the most obviously justified form of violence.  Obviously, we have a “right” to defend ourselves, don’t we?  If an evildoer is trying to kill us, then it seems like we have no choice but to kill them … Read more

Why Abortion is Incompatible with Christian Ethics

This entry is part 4 of 4 in the series Christian Ethics and Violence

Abortion is the deliberate killing of a preborn human being.  From earliest times, and with remarkable consistency, the Church has condemned abortion as unjust and immoral.  According to the Christian Tradition, abortion is murder. Recently, however, some modern Western Christians have departed from the consensus of the Christian Tradition on this issue and have condoned … Read more