Jesus did not teach that the brokenness that sometimes exists in the relationships between nations and between individuals should be solved by the use of violence.  Luke 6:29 says "If anyone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other cheek, too. If someone takes your coat, do not stop him from taking your shirt". Consequently, the church for its first several centuries rejected violence as an appropriate way to solve the brokenness which can exist between nations and between individuals.   But some of the theological predecessors of St. Augustine, and St. Augustine himself, concluded that though war is always an evil, sometimes other human activities are greater evils requiring the use of armed force. That thinking led John Calvin and most Christian theologians, though not all, to agree with Augustine and support the Just War tradition. The Synod of the CRC affirmed the Just War tradition in 1939 and 2012.   That tradition did two important tasks. The first was called Jus ad bellum which laid out the conditions that need to be present for a particular war to be considered just. The second is Jus in bello which described some of the characteristics of a war that is carried out justly.   The characteristics of Jus ad bellum had some variations over the years, but most often included:   Just Cause: The reason for going to war must be morally justified, such as defending against aggression or protecting human rights.  Legitimate Authority: The war must be declared by a recognized political authority, not by individuals or groups acting outside the law.  Right Intention: The motivations behind the war must be pure, aiming for justice and not personal gain.  Last Resort: All peaceful options must be exhausted before resorting to war.  Proportionality: The level of force used should be proportional to the threat posed.  Reasonable Prospect of Success: There should be a realistic chance of achieving the desired outcome through war.    Three principles of Jus in bello generally included these: (1) targets should include only combatants and legitimate military and industrial complexes; (2) combatants should not use unjust methods or weapons (e.g., no torture, nuclear weapons, and genocide); and (3) the force used should be proportionate to the goal of the military action. A belligerent may apply only the amount and kind of force necessary to defeat the enemy.  The Just War tradition has had a significant influence on secular thinking about when a nation can go to war and how it should behave during the war. In the 19th century, the nations of the world developed International Humanitarian Law (IHL), a set of rules that limit the harm caused by war. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israelis at an outdoor concert. 1,200 Israelis and citizens of other countries were murdered and 251 people were taken hostage. In response to Hamas’ attacks, Israel has said that it will destroy Hamas in Gaza. In an effort to do that, it has killed 43,686 people in Gaza including Palestinians who are not Hamas fighters, who live in Palestine.   IHL includes several principles that harken back to the Jus in bello characteristics in the Just war tradition:

1. Principle of distinction

The principle of distinction protects civilian population and civilian objects from the effects of military operations. It requires parties in an armed conflict to distinguish between military combatants and civilians. 

1. Necessity and proportionality. 

Under IHL, a belligerent may apply only the amount and kind of force necessary to defeat the enemy. 

1. Principle of humane treatment

The principle of humane treatment requires that civilians be treated humanely at all times.  Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention prohibits violence to life and person (including cruel treatment and torture), the taking of hostages, humiliating and degrading treatment, and execution without regular trial against non-combatants. 

1. Principle of non-discrimination

The principle of non-discrimination is a core principle of IHL. Adverse distinction based on race, sex, nationality, religious belief or political opinion is prohibited in the treatment of anyone affected by the war. 

1. Women and children

Women must be protected from rape, forced prostitution and from any form of indecent assault. Children under the age of eighteen must not be permitted to take part in hostilities.    On June 12, 2024, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, issued a report concluding that Palestinian armed groups and Israeli authorities have both committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the attack on 7 October and the subsequent military operations.   “Amid months of losses and despair, retribution and atrocities, the only tangible result has been compounding the immense suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis, with civilians, yet again, bearing the brunt of decisions by those in power,”    So, what should we do? Certainly, pray that a cease fire can be agreed to as quickly as possible. And our congregations should talk about the conflict. There will be disagreements, but that is OK. Disagreements can produce wisdom. Too many people in Palestine and Israel have lost their lives. Maybe God can use our conversations to bring about an end to the killing.

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