DOES GOD INTERVENE IN WARFARE?

Abstract: This dissertation explores whether the Christian God intervenes in warfare and examines reasons for such intervention or its absence. It evaluates Augustinian just war theory, including jus ad bellum (justice of war) and jus in bello (justice in war), and contrasts it with Christian pacifism, highlighting the tension between the two. It investigates the coherence between the New and Old Testaments regarding God’s role in warfare and explores when, if ever, Christians may use divinely sanctioned violence. The metaphysical aspects of divine intervention are considered, as well as a modern Christian near-death experience as a potential source of insight. Additionally, case studies of Christian soldiers from the First and Second World Wars are analyzed for possible evidence of divine intervention, assessing both the reasons and methods of God’s involvement in warfare. This dissertation was submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Letters (MLitt) in Analytic & Exegetical Theology at the University of St Andrews (2024).