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Pacifism vs. Just War: A Debate

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Earlier tonight Harding University held its American Studies Institute (ASI) debate titled: Pacifism v. Just War. Political Science Professor Mark Elrod represented the side of Pacifism, whilst the History and Social Science chairman Kevin Klein represented the side of Just war. Furthermore, students Cole Yoakum and Michael Crouch spoke alongside the professors with Cole on the side of Pacifism and Michael on the side of Just War.

Overall, the debate was decent. Both of the students did a fair job at advancing their stances on the views of their ideologies and the professors, equally, did a fair job at conveying their respective perspectives on the issues of pacifism and just war.

I will now provide a brief summary of the messages conveyed by each member of the panel, in order of appearance.

Cole Yoakum

Cole started out his presentation by stating that he didn’t agree with the given title of “pacifism” or “pacifist.” He preferred instead to label himself as a “proactivist.” He advanced this claim by refering to the common bible reference that if a man ask for your outer garment, give him your inner garment as well. By this action one would be completely or nearly naked, and this gesture would indicate the absurdity of one’s unjust command. Cole also emphasized the fallacy in “just war”, for that it leaves far too much room for error and manipulation.

Michael Crouch

Michael hinges his entire rhetoric around the quote by Justice Stewart of the U.S. Supreme Court who said, when referring to obscenity, “I’ll know it when I see it.” He is thereby suggesting that Christians will know injustice when they see it and will know when it is right and proper to intervene by means of war. Michael also noted that in many circumstances war is waged in order to achieve peace, that is, the”ends justify the means.” — denoted from the Byzantine Emperor Constantine. America’s isolationist ideology was also worked into Michael’s presentation; he noted that when America stayed out of a (or the) war, people continued to die — this was obviously a reference to World War I and World War II. The presentation was capped off by Michael’s remark made in respect to hope. This is that in the preservation of hope “Just War” can sometimes be the only viable method.

Dr. Mark Elrod

Dr. Elrod initiated his topic by quoting Romans 12 — which one could fairly state was the precursor to his debate and the foundation of his beliefs. He focused on the preaching of Paul for us to be non-conformist and the obvious non-violent rhetoric found in Romans 12. Dr. Elrod then illustrates the paradox that us Christians live; that is, the fact that there are two kingdoms among us, the worldly kingdom and the heavenly kingdom. We should separate ourselves from this worldly kingdom and strive for the greater Christian calling. Dr. Elrod states the accentuated serenity rhetoric found in I Timothy where Paul prays for those in authority, that we [the Christians] may live quite and peaceful lives. He then makes a short allusion to the principle of redemptive violence and its inherent fallacies, those of which claim that violence and revenge is indeed inherent in our nature and only a natural and logical reaction to turbulent events. He finalizes his presentation on the fact that in order to advance an agenda geared for war, even if one’s deems it “just,” one must relegate responsibility to a state government authority – analogous to writing a blank check for the government — whose principle philosophy is an “ends justifies the means,” clearly not in stride with sound Christian doctrine. It is, according to Dr. Elrod, a matter of nonviolence and nonexistence.

Dr. Kevin Klein

Dr. Klein took an interesting approach in order to defend “Just War.” His primary rhetoric was concerned with the proper interpretation of the Biblical text or the hermeneutics of the Bible. Dr. Klein emphasized the importance of the “higher law,” that which supersedes or transcends the laws found in the Bible or those laws found in our judicial jurisprudence. This “higher law” is found in the Bible as the most important of them all: Love the Lord your God, the most important, and through that also loving your neighbor as yourself — this is, in essence, the higher calling or the “higher law,” which is above all else. Dr. Klein furthered this claim by giving his seven rejections to pacifism. They are as follows (note: this is an abridged copy):

  • Certain passages in the Bible are not meant to be taken literally — strict literalistic interpretation fails to capture the true meaning.
  • Some things Jesus did are not required
  • The Temple purge and the utilization of aggression and violence as a means of cleaning the temple.
  • The Feast of Dedication as a parallel to a celebration of independence.
  • Violence doesn’t end on the Cross — hence Ananias and Sapphira in Acts.
  • Established power (the governing bodies) must be followed.
  • Holiness vs. protection of the weak is a false dichotomy.

Dr. Klein conveyed the message that it is not all just about eternity. There are those situations which deem the use of force necessary in order to uphold the “higher law.” An analogy he made best sums up his feelings on war, in that war is like surgery, it is destructive but necessary and the intent of the surgery — the war– is key. The government, says Klein, must have good intent for its actions to be just.

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The above is a summary of the events of tonight. If I missed anything or have misspoken be sure and notify us so that we can correct the errors. We all appreciated the time that the professors and students set aside to present a very tempestuous and controversial issue. All the ideas conveyed tonight were done so in a Christian-like manner and we are glad to say there were no outburst of rage or cries of holy war. Amen.

[Photos taken by Chris McNeal. He does not care if you duplicate them. He only asks that you don't use to defame those in them.]



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