Theology on Tap covers just war

The final Theology on Tap of the semester provided space for a discussion centered on the effects of war in Ukraine from theological, ethical and economic perspectives.

CSB/SJU students gathered at Brother Willie’s Pub on Monday evening for the event titled, “Just War? Just Peace.” The conversation was initiated through distinct viewpoints of panelists economics professor Dan Finn, associate professor of theology Kari-Shane Davis Zimmerman, CSB senior Amanda DeGross and Fr. Rene McGraw.

On behalf of SJU Faith, moderator Christopher Conway asked the members of the panel to consider the possibilities of what a just response to war in Ukraine and Russia looks like. These ideas were the night’s main theme with an exchange of theological and philosophical approaches to the dilemma of when war should or should not be deemed justifiable.

The panel opened with a reflection by CSB senior integrative science and theology double major DeGross.

“I would like to brush upon the fact that such principles cannot be upheld without the virtues of prudence, temperance and most importantly, love,” DeGross said. “It is imperative that when war becomes the only viable option is that these such virtues remain an integral part, for if we were to lose sight of prudence, temperance and love, we lose sight of morality.”

DeGross spoke to the just war theory, emphasizing its contradictory components on the subject of just war and its relation to the common good, proportionality, intention and upholding of moral principles.

Presenting a pacifist perspective, McGraw said that such a view does not truly answer the difficult question of a just response to war. Instead, he focused on the background that stems from the question of “who are we?”

McGraw challenged the audience to think about what it means to be human.

“I am primarily a community, and I find my individuality, who I am as Rene McGraw, that’s different from any one of you. I find that within a community,” McGraw said.

He pointed toward embracing community in times of violence. Davis Zimmerman explained her difficulties in grappling with the situation in Ukraine over the past month.

She said she has recently fallen victim to the CNN effect, describing how media chooses to highlight only a select number of topics while pushing others of equal importance to the side.

“War is war. And if we truly believe the kingdom of God is at hand, then we must repent and make every effort to regain the taste for world peace we yet again have seemed to have lost,” Davis Zimmerman said.

For Davis Zimmerman, it is always necessary to remain peaceful.

Finn shared perspectives on economic sanctions. He touched on using peaceful efforts to apply force on Russian president Vladimir Putin without going to war.

“One of the efforts being made properly, I think, today, is to penalize very wealthy Russians in a couple of ways. One is to name nearly 400 of them as going to lose resources that are held outside in Russia. But the other is the primary intended impact on the banking restrictions in Russia,” Finn said.

Finn said that although the intention is to do what’s right, we can’t always prevent a negative impact on ordinary lives where there is the complexity of war.

Students weighed in with their reactions to the points made by the panelists following an opening for questions and answers.

“There is a lot we have to learn. And I think that more than anything, what I’ve seen here tonight is that people are struggling with the same issues and questions that I am personally, and it was nice to find some unity in the ability to answer those tough questions,” SJU junior Ethan Huber said.

The panel allowed for a sense of community among students while tackling difficult subjects of war and the impact they leave behind.

“When something is happening in the world that feels overwhelming, it’s tricky to figure out how to balance feeling overwhelmed and just completely becoming numb to all of it. Finding tangible outlets, places to talk about things, and finding action steps is always really helpful,” CSB first-year Madeline Lenius said.

Such Theology on Tap gatherings have integrated theological ways of thought into understanding the events that take place in the world around us.

Echoing McGraw’s words on community, SJU sophomore Alec Otte had one key takeaway from the night.

“True peace will come when we can unify behind one conflict,” Otte said. “True peace will come when we can find one crisis that all countries can come together to fight.”