Moral Warriors, Moral Wounds

Publisher Description

The experience of Wollom Jensen's distinguished career in military service and James Childs's long and productive career in the fields of theology and ethics combine to bring Christian ethics into dialogue with the harsh realities of military service in today's world of war. The authors seek to correlate the ethics of neighbor love with the vocation of the chaplaincy, the framework of just war theory, the published values of the military services, and sample issues such as the challenge of pluralism for the chaplaincy, drone warfare, interrogation practices, and truth-telling. Special emphasis is placed on the reality of moral injury and the moral obligation of society and the churches to respond to the needs of these wounded warriors. The book espouses the view that the Christian ethic, more than a set of principles, is a true ministry to those who struggle to be faithful and fear that they have not been. ""This is a 'first in the field' book that looks at the ethics challenges confronted by those who are military chaplains and the challenges they face daily, with the primary focus on helping to heal the moral injuries and wounds of troops who have been to war. It isclear, clean, and concise, and in the words of a classic collect in the Book of Common Prayer, this is a book that readers should 'read, mark, learn and inwardly digest.'"" --William D. Razz Waff, Priest; Chaplain; Retired Major General in the United States Army. His views do not represent the Departmentof the Army or the Department of Defense. ""Given the perplexing ethical quandaries and profound soul wounds experienced by millions in the military, we owe a great debt to Jenson and Childs for their salutary exploration into this largely overlooked terrain of ministry and morals. While valuable for many audiences, parish clergy and congregations especially should take note. ""Soul injuries"" are not simply medical or psychological but require what congregations are uniquely situated to provide if prepared--a faith-based regimen of healing. --Roger A. Willer, ELCA Pastor; Director for Theological Ethics, ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop Wollom A. Jensen, Vietnam War veteran and retired Navy chaplain, is an author, poet, preacher, pastor, and professor who currently serves as the Canon to the Bishop Suffragan for Armed Forces and Federal Ministries of the Episcopal Church. James M. Childs Jr. is Joseph A. Sittler Professor Emeritus of Theology and Ethics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio. His many publications include Ethics in the Community of Promise: Faith, Formation, and Decision (Fortress) and The Way of Peace: Christian Life in the Face of Discord (Fortress)."