esmaspäev, november 28, 2005
a good read
"Teaching Children to Give" (click here) applies not just to children!!!
pühapäev, november 20, 2005
Just War Theory
I have been looking for a basic definition of the Just War Theory and think I have found a good one, from BreakPoint, a Christian Perspective on Today's News and Culture:
Resource
A Fact Sheet on Just War Theory
December 03, 2001
Thoughts on applying the Christian tradition's guidelines for waging war
BreakPoint -
A BreakPoint Fact Sheet
What is just war theory?
The Christian just war theory is a 1600-year-old attempt to answer the questions "When is it permissible to wage war" (jus in bello), and "What are the limitations on the ways we wage war?" (jus ad bellum).
Where did just war theory originate?
The first Christian thinker to write extensively about the subject was St. Augustine of Hippo. For Augustine, war was a logical extension of the act of governance. And governance itself was, as St. Paul wrote in Romans 13.1-7, ordained by God.
This, however, doesn't mean that all wars are morally justifiable. Augustine wrote, "It makes a great difference by which causes and under which authorities men undertake the wars that must be waged." This led him to describe the conditions under which war could be waged justly .
What does just war require?
For Augustine, the first requirement was proper authority. As he put it, "The natural order, which is suited to the peace of moral things, requires that the authority and deliberation for undertaking war be under the control of a leader." The leader Augustine had in mind was one whom God had entrusted with the responsibility of governance. In his time, this was the emperor. Later, it would be kings and princes. Today, it's our elected leadership. These people are answerable to God for the welfare of their states in a way that no private citizen is.
Proper authority is not the only requirement. For Augustine, proper cause, the reasons for which we go to war, was as important as who authorized the action. He specifically ruled out as justifications for war such causes as "[t]he desire for harming, the cruelty of revenge, the restless and implacable mind, the savageness of revolting, [and] the lust for dominating." Augustine saw war as a tragic necessity and we should keep in mind his admonition to "[l]et necessity slay the warring foe, not your will."
Are there other requirements?
Augustine's ideas have been expanded upon over the years. In addition to proper authority and proper cause, Christian just war theory requires that there be a reasonable chance of success. Even if you have a good reason to attack, you cannot simply send young men out to die. Human life is too precious, too sacred to waste.
The final requirement is one of proportionality. In waging a war, authorities must make sure that the harm caused by their response to aggression does not exceed the harm caused by the aggression itself. Annihilating the enemy in response to an attack on one of your cities is an example of disproportion.
Similarly, proportionality has also come to mean that non-combatants must be shielded from harm. They can never, for any reason whatsoever, be the targets of an attack. The history of modern warfare is characterized by "total warfare," the expansion of targets beyond strictly military ones. That's why, of all the requirements of just war theory, proportionality is the most likely to be violated, even by governments with the most just of causes.
Resource
A Fact Sheet on Just War Theory
December 03, 2001
Thoughts on applying the Christian tradition's guidelines for waging war
BreakPoint -
A BreakPoint Fact Sheet
What is just war theory?
The Christian just war theory is a 1600-year-old attempt to answer the questions "When is it permissible to wage war" (jus in bello), and "What are the limitations on the ways we wage war?" (jus ad bellum).
Where did just war theory originate?
The first Christian thinker to write extensively about the subject was St. Augustine of Hippo. For Augustine, war was a logical extension of the act of governance. And governance itself was, as St. Paul wrote in Romans 13.1-7, ordained by God.
This, however, doesn't mean that all wars are morally justifiable. Augustine wrote, "It makes a great difference by which causes and under which authorities men undertake the wars that must be waged." This led him to describe the conditions under which war could be waged justly .
What does just war require?
For Augustine, the first requirement was proper authority. As he put it, "The natural order, which is suited to the peace of moral things, requires that the authority and deliberation for undertaking war be under the control of a leader." The leader Augustine had in mind was one whom God had entrusted with the responsibility of governance. In his time, this was the emperor. Later, it would be kings and princes. Today, it's our elected leadership. These people are answerable to God for the welfare of their states in a way that no private citizen is.
Proper authority is not the only requirement. For Augustine, proper cause, the reasons for which we go to war, was as important as who authorized the action. He specifically ruled out as justifications for war such causes as "[t]he desire for harming, the cruelty of revenge, the restless and implacable mind, the savageness of revolting, [and] the lust for dominating." Augustine saw war as a tragic necessity and we should keep in mind his admonition to "[l]et necessity slay the warring foe, not your will."
Are there other requirements?
Augustine's ideas have been expanded upon over the years. In addition to proper authority and proper cause, Christian just war theory requires that there be a reasonable chance of success. Even if you have a good reason to attack, you cannot simply send young men out to die. Human life is too precious, too sacred to waste.
The final requirement is one of proportionality. In waging a war, authorities must make sure that the harm caused by their response to aggression does not exceed the harm caused by the aggression itself. Annihilating the enemy in response to an attack on one of your cities is an example of disproportion.
Similarly, proportionality has also come to mean that non-combatants must be shielded from harm. They can never, for any reason whatsoever, be the targets of an attack. The history of modern warfare is characterized by "total warfare," the expansion of targets beyond strictly military ones. That's why, of all the requirements of just war theory, proportionality is the most likely to be violated, even by governments with the most just of causes.
laupäev, november 19, 2005
Aloha, Kristi Tiks!
Kristi Tiks is moving to America on 13 December to work at the Hilo Temple Corps!
Our loss is their gain, and we wish her well in her new adventure in serving God!
Our loss is their gain, and we wish her well in her new adventure in serving God!
reede, november 18, 2005
Elizabeth's Birthday Party Sleepover!
We have 5 Clarks and 10 girls at our house for Elizabeth's 10th birthday -- her first big pajama party! Six of the girls are Estonians (some speak English, some don't) and four are Americans (missionary kids). We are all having lots of fun! As long as I can keep them from screaming and having pillow fights, I'll make it through the night!
Who could ask for anything more?
Evelyn
Who could ask for anything more?
Evelyn
teisipäev, november 15, 2005
Be there!
Some final words from James Dobson on the subject of what to do with your life. The words of advice he gave to his son, Ryan, after having NBA Hall of Famer Pistol Pete Merovich die in his arms of a heart failure earlier in the day was, "Be there!!!" "When I go to heaven," he told his son, "I am going to be looking for you." "Whatever you do with your life, make sure that in the end you will be there!!!"
This story (quoted above from a web site, click on it to read more) is told in the book
Life on the Edge The Next Generation's Guide to a Meaningful Future by Dr. James C. Dobson -- which can be bought here:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=523865&netp_id=351695&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW
Evelyn
This story (quoted above from a web site, click on it to read more) is told in the book
Life on the Edge The Next Generation's Guide to a Meaningful Future by Dr. James C. Dobson -- which can be bought here:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=523865&netp_id=351695&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW
Evelyn
I didn't write this, but wanted to share it
"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
We all know we feel better when we are in God's will, this is the way life was meant to be and why we were created. I'm not preaching here, just reminding you that the older I get, the more true I know it is.
All of our lives we hear people say these types of things in church, but until it happens first hand we really don't know how amazing it is.
God is real.
"I want to see all the family members in heaven."
So as you make decisions on what to do from day to day, know that God will give you the strength to be the BEST person you can be.
We all know we feel better when we are in God's will, this is the way life was meant to be and why we were created. I'm not preaching here, just reminding you that the older I get, the more true I know it is.
All of our lives we hear people say these types of things in church, but until it happens first hand we really don't know how amazing it is.
God is real.
"I want to see all the family members in heaven."
So as you make decisions on what to do from day to day, know that God will give you the strength to be the BEST person you can be.
Tõnis & Kerli live in Tartu and were married 29-10
Inquiring minds want to know!
reede, november 11, 2005
Our friends, the newlyweds!
Here is a great photo of our friends on their wedding day!
neljapäev, november 10, 2005
from "Christianity Today" (thanks, Ian!)
Christmas Countdown
When does the holiday season really start?
Elesha Coffman
"If retail promotions are any indication, Christmas begins as soon as the last bags of Halloween candy have been moved to the bargain bins. Our Christian ancestors, however, had other ideas.
The first church official to propose special activities for the pre-Christmas period was Perpetuus, bishop of Tours, in 490. To help his flock prepare for the holiday, he advocated fasting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Martinmas (November 11) to Christmas Eve."
Who's up for it?
When does the holiday season really start?
Elesha Coffman
"If retail promotions are any indication, Christmas begins as soon as the last bags of Halloween candy have been moved to the bargain bins. Our Christian ancestors, however, had other ideas.
The first church official to propose special activities for the pre-Christmas period was Perpetuus, bishop of Tours, in 490. To help his flock prepare for the holiday, he advocated fasting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Martinmas (November 11) to Christmas Eve."
Who's up for it?
kolmapäev, november 09, 2005
Advent Wreath
Does anyone out there know how to make an Advent Wreath? I think Red Dow used to always do this for the Portland Corps, using pine boughs and a wire coat hanger.
Evelyn
Evelyn
reede, november 04, 2005
Comings and Goings
Vika moved out yesterday, after living with us since the end of August. We will really miss having her here; she was truly a pleasure. Now Maret will have to find someone else to help her with her Russian homework! Vika has moved into a student dorm with a friend of hers, which will be really good for her.
So now it's the weekend, and everyone seems to be over the stomach flu. Only Tim and Peter got sick, and we certainly hope it stays that way!
Liis is sleeping at our house this weekend because her parents are out of town. Maret is staying here too because Liis is here, and well, they're best friends! Etthel is sleeping over as Elizabeth's guest, and another girl might as well. (Oh, her name is Siile, and she is just coming to visit!)
Andrei drops in often, as he lives nearby.
So, that's the quick update on all of us!
Thanks once again for your prayers!
Evelyn
So now it's the weekend, and everyone seems to be over the stomach flu. Only Tim and Peter got sick, and we certainly hope it stays that way!
Liis is sleeping at our house this weekend because her parents are out of town. Maret is staying here too because Liis is here, and well, they're best friends! Etthel is sleeping over as Elizabeth's guest, and another girl might as well. (Oh, her name is Siile, and she is just coming to visit!)
Andrei drops in often, as he lives nearby.
So, that's the quick update on all of us!
Thanks once again for your prayers!
Evelyn
Tim's Mother
I know many of you have been praying for Tim's mother and waiting along with us for news of her test results. Here they are (finally!).
Hi Tim and Evelyn:Finally word from the surgeon. Answered prayer no chemo. They tested 28Lymph nodes and all were clear. I had stage 1 cancer. 5% chance it couldreturn but the susrgeon is pretty confident I will be alright. I will be going to him for followup see him in a month. God is so good.
Evelyn
Hi Tim and Evelyn:Finally word from the surgeon. Answered prayer no chemo. They tested 28Lymph nodes and all were clear. I had stage 1 cancer. 5% chance it couldreturn but the susrgeon is pretty confident I will be alright. I will be going to him for followup see him in a month. God is so good.
Evelyn
kolmapäev, november 02, 2005
Christian Teens
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/144/23.0.html
I couldn't help but think of my own Christian teen girls: Maret, Liis, Jaanika, Sigrit -- as well as girls from Narva and Tallinn and Mission Team -- and Janell.
It really is a battle we're in, Salvation Army! But we battle not against Muslims or other human beings:
EPH 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Pray for the surviving girl! Pray for their families! Pray for their fellow Christians!
Evelyn
I couldn't help but think of my own Christian teen girls: Maret, Liis, Jaanika, Sigrit -- as well as girls from Narva and Tallinn and Mission Team -- and Janell.
It really is a battle we're in, Salvation Army! But we battle not against Muslims or other human beings:
EPH 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Pray for the surviving girl! Pray for their families! Pray for their fellow Christians!
Evelyn
Peter & Tim are sick
Just a quick post, to ask for prayer! Peter and Tim were both up sick half the night.
Elizabeth is across the street playing with her friend Etthel before she leaves for school (at 10:30 a.m.!).
Chris is doing his homeschooling in the living room, where he can help me keep an eye on Peter.
This means I will miss muusikaring and Women's Prayer Fellowship today -- the only two things I do that are just for me, not an obligation!
So, please pray for us all, and especially pray that Chris, Elizabeth and I don't get sick now! (As well as everyone we were with this weekend, and last night for kids' meeting.)
Thanks, friends!
Evelyn
Elizabeth is across the street playing with her friend Etthel before she leaves for school (at 10:30 a.m.!).
Chris is doing his homeschooling in the living room, where he can help me keep an eye on Peter.
This means I will miss muusikaring and Women's Prayer Fellowship today -- the only two things I do that are just for me, not an obligation!
So, please pray for us all, and especially pray that Chris, Elizabeth and I don't get sick now! (As well as everyone we were with this weekend, and last night for kids' meeting.)
Thanks, friends!
Evelyn
