Do We Understand the Laws of War?
Sharing a podcast interview with David French who out of his deep knowledge explains the laws of war in the context of the current Hamas/Israel War.
Hamas and the Laws of War—An Interview with David French
Who is David French?
David Austin French (born January 24, 1969) is an American political commentator and former attorney who has argued high-profile religious liberty cases. He is a columnist for The New York Times. Formerly a fellow at the National Review Institute and a staff writer for National Review from 2015 to 2019, French currently serves as senior editor of The Dispatch, [2] and occasionally a contributing writer for The Atlantic. French is currently a distinguished visiting professor of public policy at Lipscomb University, his alma mater. [3]
(Source: Wikipedia)
ForthTelling Innovation Insights from George Bullard: I invite you to listen to this podcast that was released October 31, 2023 by Christianity Today. Of greatest helpfulness is the explanation of the laws of war by David French. This is foundational information that few of us know.
A wide diversity of readers may substantially agree with David’s explanation of the laws of war. The application of these laws to specific situations—even the current Hamas/Israel War—may certainly bring varying responses to the minds and hearts of the readers/listeners.
David has a viewpoint and perspective. I am not championing it, but only sharing it for information to increase your knowledge, and for a basis for dialogue in whatever setting you minister.
The existence of laws of war assumes there is something rational about how wars are conducted. There is not. Also, as in many circumstances of life, everyone cheats in war from time-to-time.
I, for one, wish we did not have to have any laws of war because we are never experiencing wars for which we need laws. That idealist viewpoint certainly fads quickly considering the real world in which we exist.
In my own consulting and mentoring ministry with Christian leaders, congregations, denominations, and parachurch organizations, I think that having some laws of conflict with which all sides agree would increase the possibility of mediation—even resolution. At least that would be my prayer.