Eric Patterson

Revolutionary violence is never ethically justified

Part 3 of Eric Patterson’s series on Just War

What is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom-fighter? Part 2 of Eric Patterson’s 4-part series on Just War.

Part I of Eric Patterson’s four part series on the Just War Tradition

Christians ought to carefully think about Flag Day, both in terms of symbols and in terms of citizenship.

In this atmosphere of apathetic patriotism, G.K. Chesterton’s “Defense of Publicity,” an essay on public monuments, might draw focus back to the purpose of Memorial Day.

While Orthodox Christianity lacks the historical tradition of just war theory to criticize war, it does have a theological resource it could draw upon to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: personhood.

If order is the attainable and justice the possible, then (re)conciliation is the desirable. Conciliation is future-focused in that it sees former enemies as partners in a shared future.

Jus post bellum justice provides us with two criteria: holding aggressors responsible (punishment) and providing some form of restoration to victims (restitution). The reality of our time suggests a very limited justice.