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Nov 2001
51m 24s

Jean Bethke Elshtain, John Paul Lederach...

ON BEING STUDIOS
About this episode
Just-war theory was set in motion in the 5th century as St. Augustine agonized over how to reconcile Christianity’s high ethical ideals with the devastating world realities which were bringing about the fall of Rome. For 1,600 years, theologians, ethicists, diplomats, and political leaders have drawn on this tradition, refined it, and employed its key questi ... Show More
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