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A Theological Response to 'The Case for a Pre-Emptive Strike'
Abstract
In his article, ‘Saddam Hussein, Islam, and Just War Theory: The Case for a
Pre-emptive Strike’, Stephen Strehle argues that pre-emptive strikes are necessary
when national survival is at stake, and suggests that this is precisely the case
in the world today. Further, he depends on a model of church/state relations
that encourages the church to passively submit to the authority of the state, and
remain silent in matters of criticism. Finally, he assumes throughout his argument
that Christian and Western values are both superior and desirable for
peoples throughout the world. These three themes will be challenged in this
theological response that suggests that it is the duty of free people to question
their leaders, it is the responsibility of the church to challenge the state, and it is
the challenge of social privilege to empower other peoples.
Pre-emptive Strike’, Stephen Strehle argues that pre-emptive strikes are necessary
when national survival is at stake, and suggests that this is precisely the case
in the world today. Further, he depends on a model of church/state relations
that encourages the church to passively submit to the authority of the state, and
remain silent in matters of criticism. Finally, he assumes throughout his argument
that Christian and Western values are both superior and desirable for
peoples throughout the world. These three themes will be challenged in this
theological response that suggests that it is the duty of free people to question
their leaders, it is the responsibility of the church to challenge the state, and it is
the challenge of social privilege to empower other peoples.