Just War Doctrine

"When is war justified?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

War is always evil, but sometimes necessary to defend the innocent. The Church has developed criteria to determine when armed force may be morally justified.

Quick Overview

Imagine an intruder attacking your family. Standing by and doing nothing isn't love—it's cowardice. The same applies to nations. Sometimes force is the only way to protect the innocent. Just war doctrine ensures that when we must fight, we fight morally.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

Romans 13:4

"He is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain."

Why This Matters

Legitimate authority has the right to use force to protect citizens and punish evildoers.

Luke 3:14

"The soldiers also asked him, saying: And what shall we do? And he said to them: Do violence to no man; neither calumniate any man."

Why This Matters

John the Baptist didn't tell soldiers to quit—he told them to act justly. Military service can be moral.

Ecclesiastes 3:8

"A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace."

Why This Matters

Scripture acknowledges that times for war exist—not all fighting is sin.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Just war criteria: (1) just cause, (2) legitimate authority, (3) right intention, (4) last resort, (5) probability of success, (6) proportionate means. Civilians must never be targeted (CCC 2302-2317).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Augustine

c. 410 AD

"We do not seek peace in order to be at war, but we go to war that we may have peace."

— Letters, 189:6

St. Thomas Aquinas

c. 1270 AD

"Three things are required for war to be just: authority of the sovereign, a just cause, and a rightful intention."

— Summa Theologiae, II-II, Q40, A1

Social Justice

Share This Teaching

Help others discover the biblical basis for Catholic beliefs