Christians & the Prevention of War in an Atomic Age [antikvár]

PREFACEThe treatment of the problem of war in the contemporary world which is contained in the ensuing pages grows out of an ecumenical study process initiated by the Division of Studies of the World Council of Churches. In 1955, a Commission was named by the Central Committee of the World Council to study the problem: Christians and the Prevention of War in an Atomic AgeA Theological Discussion. The members of this Commission were as follows:Sir Thomas Murray Taylor, Principal and Vice Chancellor,University of Aberdeen, Chairman Professor Herbert Butteriield, Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge Rear Admiral Sir Anthony Buzzard, London The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt. Rev. Dr Robert Cecil Mortimer Dr J. de Graaf, Professor of Theology, Utrecht Dr George D. Kelsey, Professor of Christian Ethics, Drew UniversityDr Henry Margenau, Professor of Physics, Yale DrC. L. Patijn, NetherlandsProfessor Mario Albert Rollier, Department of Chemistry, CagliariDr N. H. Soe, Professor of Theology, Copenhagen Dr Douglas V. Steere, Professor of Philosophy, Haverford CollegeDr Helmut Thielicke, Rector of the University of Hamburgand Professor of Theology Dr Etienne Trocme, Professor of New Testament, Strasbourg Dr Carl F. von Weizsäcker, Professor of Philosophy, HamburgConsultantsThe Rev. Alan R. Booth, Secretary of the Commission of theChurches on International Affairs Sir Kenneth Grubb, Chairman of the Commission of the Churches on International AffairsCONCERNING THEOLOGICAL PRESUPPOSITIONS AND METHOD1.What is a theological discussion? The work of our Commission has proceeded on the basis that a theological discussion is one which attempts to understand the problem at hand^in our case the prevention of war in an atomic age in the light of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. This means that the presuppositions of a theological discussion are delivered to us and not made by us, and that it is the function of a theological discussion to measure human thoughts against this given revelation and to seek to understand human dilemmas in terms of it.2.How shall this be done? Our theological method calls for an analysis of the situation in which we stand, with a view to understanding the dilemmas and the choices which we face.3.It must not, however, be thought that the analysis is the 'secular' part, to be related to the 'theological' part in a simple manner. The following pages will indicate that we have been concerned with Christian affirmations concerning the nature of man and creation, with the authority of God and the Lordship of Jesus Christ, with faith and obedience, with the nature of the new life in the Church, with the understanding of brotherhood, solidarity and sacrifice. Frequently the analysis deals with realities which seem far removed from the Christian revelation, entering at times into technical detail. Yet how else can one proceed in these matters? The purpose of the whole discussion is to see how Christian faith can illumine the decisions which men must make in order to prevent war in an atomic age. But what are the most im-