What are the ethical implications of war from a Christian perspective? When I speak of war, I mean any military action taken by one political entity against another—whether offensive or defensive, and regardless of whether there is a formal declaration of war. The concept of just war is a deeply complex issue that has prompted extensive commentary throughout church history and beyond.
Because this subject is so vast, it is not possible to address every dimension of Just War Theory in a single article. Instead, I want to focus this column on one particular question: Is it ever morally justifiable to strike another nation preemptively?
This question is particularly relevant in light of the recent actions taken by the Trump administration to bomb nuclear facilities in Iran. Was this action ethically just?
One of the core tenets of Just War Theory is that a war must be waged for a just cause — that is, the purpose of the military action must be morally legitimate and aimed at protecting the common good, particularly the safety and welfare of a nation’s citizens. The principle is easy to affirm when it comes to self-defense; a sovereign nation has the right — and responsibility — to protect itself from and following direct attacks.
But what about preemptive strikes — military action taken before an attack occurs, in anticipation of a likely threat?
I find Wayne Grudem’s perspective on this issue especially helpful. He writes:
“When the actual facts of the situation clearly show that the preemptive strike is necesasry to defend one’s country, and the other criteria of a just war are met, then it seems to me that a preemptive war can be justified as fitting criterion 1, ‘just cause.'”
If there was credible and justifiable reason to believe that Iran was nearing nuclear strike capability — and given the hostile rhetoric toward Israel and the United States that has frequently come from Iranian leadership — then this recent preemptive strike could be seen not only as justifiable, but as a moral obligation to protect the lives of potentially thousands or even millions of people.
— Pastor Jaime Owens