Jesus, Augustine & Trump’s Just Iran War

Letter to Americans: Christianity’s “Just War Doctrine” author, St. Augustine, may be rolling over in his grave as Pope Leo claimed the only moral way to respond to terrorists is to submit as a lamb to be slaughtered. Trump is showing him a better way to world peace ala the Saint.

Even Pope Leo would agree he’s not infallible. And, as the WSJ’s William McGurn in “Pope Leo Goes to War” noted: “The pontiff wrongly suggests that pacifism is the sole acceptable moral position.” We can all agree with His Holiness diplomacy & dialogue is Jesus’ preferred method to resolving conflict. But I’d also point out Jesus’ taking whip in Hand in Jerusalem’s temple to call out that “brood of vipers” bent on His crucifixion. If Pope Leo really thinks the Islamic fanatics who have terrorized the world for centuries (but especially since 1987) can ever be “reasoned” into agreeing that the Bible is right and the Quran is wrong … then, his political as well as theological credibility sadly takes a big hit on this point.

As McGurn points out, “The Catholic Church has spoken on [this] issue at least since St. Augustine. It’s called the just-war tradition and although it doesn’t spit out neat yes-or-no answers, it does point to the right questions.” Indeed, having studied Augustine’ City of God religiously while a Poli-Sci major in college, the great Saint had assured Christians may have a DUTY to fight evil with force. As Rev. Gerald Murray, a Catholic priest & EWTN commentator recently said in the Augustine tradition: “Churchmen need to affirm the legitimate use of force is virtuous. Protecting the innocent isn’t simply the ideal we hope to attain, it is a clear duty.” Sounds like Trump’s “Peace through strength” mantra jives with Augustine? As McGurn concluded, “If negotiation is the only way to solve conflicts, Pope Leo should send home the Swiss Guard & train negotiators to meet with anyone who shows up at Vatican City with a gun or a bomb” instead of forcing everyone who wants to see the Sistine Chapel to first pass thru metal detectors.

Davd Soul