Christian Attitudes toward War and Peace

by Roland H Bainton

Overview

Any scholarship that addresses the evolution of Christian perspectives on warfare generally references this book. first published in 1960. Although the scholarship of this work is now outdated and critiqued, Bainton's work is foundational in the area. Bainton believes that the Christian community started out pacifistic, then developed the just war doctrine, and finally adopted holy war ideals. He traces this trajectory from the Early Church up through the wars and conflicts of the 20th century. Finally, Bainton adds his critique of current militaristic ideas, especially in regards to atomic warfare. (from a review by Andrew Lumpkin) ""This is a book to own, give, and recommend."" --Kirkus Reviews ""No man of the day is better qualified to deal with the intricacies of Christian ethics than Professor Bainton of Yale University Divinity School. He is thoroughly familiar with the literature of the subject and is a graceful and lucid stylist. Christians of all denominations will profit from his thoughtful reflections on our contemporary dilemma in the final chapters."" --Library Journal ""This is a vastly readable text that can furnish the background every Christian needs to rethink his own attitudes toward war and peace."" --International Journal of Religious Education ""Every churchman--layman or cleric--ought to read this book, as should every statesman. It just might restore some sanity to the age--while there is still time."" --United Church Herald Roland H. Bainton (1894-1984) was Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale University Divinity School for forty-two years. He wrote well into his retirement and authored many books, including Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781556357886
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2008
Series:	Roland Bainton Reprint
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	300
Sales rank:	327,394
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Roland H. Bainton (1894-1984) was Titus Street Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Yale University Divinity School for forty-two years. He wrote well into his retirement and authored many books, including Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther.

Table of Contents

	List of Illustrations	11
	Introduction	13
1.	Ideals of Peace in Antiquity	17
2.	The Classical Origins of the Just War	33
3.	The Origins of the Crusading Idea in the Old Testament	44
4.	War and Peace in the New Testament	53
5.	The Pacifism of the Early Church	66
6.	The Theory of the Just War in the Christian Roman Empire	85
7.	From the Just War to the Crusade and Sectarian Pacifism	101
8.	The Renaissance Utopia and the Revival of the Just War	122
9.	Wars of Religion	136
10.	The Historic Peace Churches and War with the Aborigines	152
11.	The Enlightenment	173
12.	From Waterloo to Armageddon: A Century of Comparative Peace	190
13.	From the Outlawry of War to the Atom Bomb	211
14.	Past and Present	230
15.	What Then?	252
	Notes	269
	Guide to Literature	289
	Index	291

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This is a book to own, give, and recommend."
—Kirkus Reviews

"No man of the day is better qualified to deal with the intricacies of Christian ethics than Professor Bainton of Yale University Divinity School. He is thoroughly familiar with the literature of the subject and is a graceful and lucid stylist. Christians of all denominations will profit from his thoughtful reflections on our contemporary dilemma in the final chapters."
—Library Journal

"This is a vastly readable text that can furnish the background every Christian needs to rethink his own attitudes toward war and peace."
—International Journal of Religious Education

"Every churchman—layman or cleric—ought to read this book, as should every statesman. It just might restore some sanity to the age—while there is still time."
—United Church Herald

Editorial Reviews

This is a book to own, give, and recommend.
--Kirkus Reviews

No man of the day is better qualified to deal with the intricacies of Christian ethics than Professor Bainton of Yale University Divinity School. He is thoroughly familiar with the literature of the subject and is a graceful and lucid stylist. Christians of all denominations will profit from his thoughtful reflections on our contemporary dilemma in the final chapters.
--Library Journal

This is a vastly readable text that can furnish the background every Christian needs to rethink his own attitudes toward war and peace.
--International Journal of Religious Education

Every churchman--layman or cleric--ought to read this book, as should every statesman. It just might restore some sanity to the age--while there is still time.
--United Church Herald

From the Publisher