ISIS and Just Warfare: Is Now the Time for Men of Good Will to Intervene?

Last updated on: December 27, 2014 at 10:28 am by Jennifer Fitz

ISIS and Just Warfare: Is Now the Time for Men of Good Will to Intervene? 2014-12-27T10:28:43-05:00 Jennifer Fitz

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

To join the discussion about Rise of ISIS, a Threat We Cannot Ignore, or to order a copy, go here.

This month at Patheos we’re discussing Jay Sekulow’s book Rise of ISIS. For a general review, check out Rebecca Hamilton’s comments here. She’s been documenting the state of affairs in Iraq all summer, so her perspective is well worth your consideration.

What is this book?

The Rise of ISIS is a call to arms, plain and simple. The authors document the heinous crimes committed by ISIS and Hamas, and make the case that the United States can and should go to war to stop this threat.

What are the limitations of this book?

It’s not fair to complain about what a book isn’t. Still, it can be helpful to examine the limits of a work.

Because this book has a call-to-arms focus, the delivery is at times more breathless and excited than deliberate and measured. I don’t think the case is overstated. But there is room in the literature for a more carefully rendered chronological account of factional warfare in the Middle East, geared towards those who have doubts about the seriousness of the present situation. Rise of Isis is more like a collage of impressions — grounded in cruel, on-the-spot reality — rather than a detailed, arm’s length analysis.

Because the book is geared towards the widest possible audience, the moral framework cited finds its basis in international law and warfare conventions. This is not such a bad start. The authors make the case that American and Isreali involvement in the Middle East has abided by the strictures of international law, and that further intervention is consistent with internationally agreed-upon ethics.

For Catholics, though, which in this context is to say all men of good will, there is a higher authority we need to consider. How do the facts align with what we know about just warfare and the blessedness of peacemaking?

Hawks vs. Ents

We have to fight two extremes when we consider any question of warfare. On the one hand, evil is everywhere, and the temptation can be to respond with force any time evil makes its menace. This fix-it-with-force mentality eventually leads to warfare-fatigue: We try battle, it seemed so easy, it wasn’t so easy, maybe warfare is not the solution after all. In the face of that fatigue, it can be difficult, when we are surrounded by peace and happiness at home, to believe in the reality of extraordinary evil. Is this the never again situation that requires ultimate sacrifice, or is it just a bunch of men behaving badly?

Into that mix comes further complications. Western civilization isn’t operating from a moral high point just now. There are good reasons we’re hated in certain swathes of the Middle East, and those reasons are us. Setting aside our special pornified lifestyle, which understandably gives pause and excuse, the United States and her allies don’t have the best history of benevolent respect for foreign governments. When you can trace back the current violent reactions to situations created by your government’s previous self-interested meddling, it becomes difficult to see the best way forward. This time we’re doing it for good reasons? This time you can trust us?

Well, sometimes we are trustworthy. Not perfect, but good enough. Sometimes the evil is so intense, so utterly barbaric, that good men cannot stand by and let the locals hash it out come what may.

The Rise of ISIS argues that we are in such times now. That the evil is too immense for men of good will not to intervene. Catholics should give quick and serious consideration to this possibility.

Previous Post

October 27, 2014

Playground Evangelization: Making Parishes More Welcoming for Families

Next Post

November 3, 2014 A Right Relationship with Sister Death

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Books Catechesis Catholic Q&A Chastity Church Craziness Come See Me Talk Disability & Chronic Illness Economics Evangelization Facepalm Forgiveness Good Things History Homeschooling Human Rights It's All Catholic Listen to Me Survey Series Liturgical Living Marriage Modesty Not Satire. But almost. Rant-o-Rama Sacred Art & Music Satire South Carolina Spark Clutter Stick that Corner Suffering Thinking Topics Writing Stuff

Select a Month September 2026 July 2026 June 2026 January 2026 December 2025 September 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 November 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 May 2019 April 2019 February 2019 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the rainbow a sign of in the flood story?

Select your answer to see how you score.

God's promise Famine Danger War