| Counting the costs: Reflections on the church and just war By C. Anthony Hunt  Amidst the military conflict in which the United States now engages with Iraq, it seems appropriate for the church to continue to consider (and reconsider) the matter of the justice of war from both philosophical and Christian perspectives. First, however, the matter of defining justice has to be addressed. According to the philosopher Plato, to speak of justice is simply to deal with the matter of people getting what they deserve. In light of this brief definition of justice, our concern becomes one that is first rooted in the matter of whether or not Iraq and the United States are getting what is deserved. In terms of the morality of war, those who have thought, written and acted on such matters have historically raised particular questions as to the determinants of when war might be justified. In the fifth century, Augustine, the Christian philosopher, was instrumental in the development of seven criteria for determining whether or not a war is just. First, there must exist a just cause. The war must confront an unquestioned danger. Second, competent authority must exist. Leaders committing a nation to war must be acting on behalf of their people. Third, there should be right intention. The reasons set forth should be the actual objectives, and retaliation must not be the aim. Fourth, war should be the last resort. All peaceful alternatives must have been exhausted. Fifth, there needs to be the probability of success. Sixth, discrimination requires the immunity of noncombatants from direct attack. And seventh, the good that will be achieved by war cannot be outweighed by the harm that is done. In light of these philosophical issues, particular concerns exist about the current U.S. war with Iraq. Specifically, do the alleged atrocities and potential threat of Saddam Hussein and the current Iraqi regime warrant the shock and awe of U.S. military forces, and the concomitant bombing of Baghdad, Basra and other areas. In addition to the death of hundreds of noncombatants, we should consider the annihilation of an untold number of Iraqi office buildings, shopping malls, factories, schools, mosques and homes. Christians do not just have philosophical concerns about whether or not this is a just war. Our concerns center on what it means to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in times like these. It seems clear that Jesus did not and would not engage in such atrocities as the war in Iraq. The question for the church is What is Jesus doing in the lives of Christians today, and how does this lead us to respond? It is my sense that Jesus, who lives in us and through us the one whom we will exclaim and exalt as the Living Savior on Easter remains steadfastly on the side of the poor, the disinherited, the oppressed and the dispossessed, whether these persons reside in America or the Middle East. Whether in Baghdad or Baltimore, it is evident that Jesus lives to offer life, and does not desire death for any purposes whether political or religious for any part of humanity. And so in these times of war, may we who are the church in our faithfulness seek to model what Jesus has done, is doing and will do in our world Rev. C. Anthony Hunt is the executive director of the Multi-Ethnic Center for Ministry, an agency of the Northeastern Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church, located in Columbia. | 
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