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Just War and Jihad Historical and Theoretical Perspectives on War and Peace in Western and Islamic Traditions

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Edited by John Kelsay and James Turner Johnson

ISBN: 0-313-27347-2

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-27347-6

DOI:

272 pages, figures

Greenwood Press

Publication: 5/30/1991

List Price: $101.95 (UK Sterling Price: £57.95)

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Media Type: Hardcover

Trim Size: 6 1/8 X 9 1/4

Subjects:

Series Title: Contributions to the Study of Religion

Series Number: 28

Reviews:

This collection of papers on the roots of just or `holy' war in Western (Christian) and Islamic cultures, along with its companion volume, Cross, Crescent, and Sword: The Justification and Limitation of War in Western and Islamic Tradition (Greenwood, 1990), emanated from conferences held at Rutgers University in the winter and spring of 1988-89. Scholars in the fields of Western thought and the just war tradition as well as scholars from the area of Islamic studies were brought together to develop theoretical issues and further cross-discipline understanding. The chapters emphasize the historical and comparative approach to the study of the foundations, justifications, conduct, and aims of war in the two traditions. Intended for the scholarly or well-informed audience, this is recommended for research libraries.
—Library Journal
This collection raises an interesting issue in comparing the Islamic jihad with the concept of a just war in Christendom. The Koran considers aggression unjust. That is, a jihad is not to be aggressive, but defensive, in protecting the holy places from the aggressor. In both Christian society and Islamic society it is proper to defend the faith against the infidel. The Christian Crusades and many Islamic jihads are considered as just, holy wars. In a comprehensive study these essays bring the just war concept to the modern period in a discussion of the Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988. Neither country in this recent war wanted to be considered an aggressor that would violate teachings of the Koran. The select bibliography in this volume is extensive and impressive. New issues are covered. For every good undergraduate library.
—Choice

Description: In this collaborative examination two diverse groups of scholars look at Western and Islamic approaches to war, peace, and statecraft from their own perspectives in an effort to bridge the gap of knowledge and understanding between the two traditions. Established scholars in religious ethics and international law--James Turner Johnson, John Langan, David Little, and William V. O'Brien--examine the substantial body of literature on the just war tradition that has been produced over time by historians, theologians, ethicists, and international lawyers. The Islamic tradition, which in both its classical and contemporary forms presents a rich variety of materials for discussions of statecraft, including issues connected with the justification, conduct, and ultimate aims of war, is then assessed by a group of leading Islamicists including Fred Donner, Richard C. Martin, Bruce Lawrence, and Ann Mayer. The two major themes stressed by the contributors are the "historical" and "theoretical" approaches to war and peace in the two great religious and cultural traditions. In every case, the chapters are broadly historical and comparative in nature. Kelsay and Johnson's Just War and Jihad, together with their companion volume, Cross-Crescent and Sword: The Justification and Limitation of War in Western and Islamic Tradition (Greenwood Press, 1990), represent the outcome of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural dialogues. An introduction takes up the various themes present in the chapters and reflects their significance for comparative studies of cultural attitudes on war and peace. In the book's first major division four chapters deal with "foundational" concerns. Here the authors identify sources and basic themes of religious thought that influence Western and Islamic approaches to war and peace. The two chapters of Part II take up particular questions connected with the phenomenon of holy war. In the final section two contributors assess the status of the international law on war and peace. For students and scholars of comparative religion, ethics, and international relations this comparative study, which establishes the persistence of certain human concerns across the boundaries of particular cultures, makes timely and important reading.

Table of Contents:

Foreword by Henry Warner Borden
Introduction by John Kelsay
Foundational Issues
Historical Roots and Sources of the Just War Tradition in Western Culture by James Turner Johnson
The Sources of Islamic Conceptions of War by Fred M. Donner
The Western Moral Tradition on War: Christian Theology and Warfare by John Langan, S.J.
The Religious Foundations of War, Peace, and Statecraft in Islam by Richard C. Martin
Holy War
"Holy War" Appeals and Western Christianity: A Reconsideration of Bainton's Approach by David Little
Holy War (jihad) in Islamic Religion and Nation-State Ideologies by Bruce Lawrence
International Law
The International Law of War as Related to the Western Just War Tradition by William V. O'Brien
War and Peace in the Islamic Tradition and International Law by Ann Elizabeth Mayer
Select Bibliography
Index

LC Card Number: 90-19914

LCC Class: BT736

Dewey Class: 297


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