Should Christians Fight? A Debate

Should the cross be fused to the sword?

Should Christianity be allied to the state and fight in its wars?

Is such a marriage even possible?

On March 28, 2014, four noted speakers, authors, and thinkers debated these questions in Boston, Massachusetts. Professors Peter Kreeft and J. Daryl Charles argued in favour of the Just War theory, proposing that it is the church’s responsibility to demonstrate love of neighbour and preserve justice by participating in war to defend the weak from the strong. Attorney David Bercot and former U.S. soldier Dean Taylor defended the opposite position that Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the early church (pre-325 A.D.) all taught and held to a position of strict nonresistance, loving their enemies, beating their swords into ploughshares, and living crucified lives of selfless love and that Christians today should do likewise.

The debate had strong live attendance and generated intense interest. This booklet contains a complete transcript of the debate. Read for yourself the arguments on both sides and weigh them against each other. A list of references for further reading, as well as a preface giving the background of the event, add to the book’s value, and illustrations make it even more interesting to read or browse.