The Pacifist Option: The Moral Argument Against War in Eastern Orthodox Theology

by Alexander F.C. Webster

Overview

In this path-breaking study, Fr. Alexander Webster convincingly demonstrates that a distinctive pacifist trajectory, characterized by the moral virtues of non-violence, nonresistance, voluntary kenotic suffering, and universal forgiveness, has endured through two millennia of Eastern Orthodox history in unbroken continuity with the ancient Church. Webster consults a vast array of primary texts including Holy Scripture, patristic writing through the Byzantine era that terminated in AD 1453, Orthodox canon law from the Seven Ecumenical Councils and other Byzantine Greek legal sources among others. Of interest to historians and to students of theology and religion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781573092432
Publisher:	International Scholars Publications
Publication date:	05/27/1999
Pages:	366
Product dimensions:	5.42(w) x 8.52(h) x 1.07(d)

About the Author

Alexander F.C. Webster is a Professorial Lecturer of Religion, American University and a Parish Priest, St. Mary Orthodox Church, Falls Church, VA.

Editorial Reviews

The Pacifist Option is a work of first-rate historical and theological scholarship. If you are looking for a good solid read that will help shore up theological underpinnings of you work as a military chaplain, I highly recommend this book. It will also serve well as an Orthodox Christian moral theology, for those unacquainted with the Orthodox tradition.

The Army Chaplaincy - Chaplain (CPT) Isaiah R. Gillete

Likely to provoke discussion within Orthodox circles, this work contributes to the growing literature which tries to make the Orthodox tradition relevant to contemporary social concerns.

Religious Studies Review

The Pacifist Option is a work of first-rate historical and theological scholarship. If you are looking for a good solid read that will help shore up theological underpinnings of you work as a military chaplain, I highly recommend this book. It will also serve well as an Orthodox Christian moral theology, for those unacquainted with the Orthodox tradition.
— Chaplain (CPT) Isaiah R. Gillete

The Army Chaplaincy