Seeking Justice in the Midst of War: The Experience of War for Chinese Christians as Revealed in The True Light Review, 1937–1941

Abstract

This paper aims to offer a critique of the traditional just war theory and pacifist claims through analysing how Chinese Christians as civilians sought a sense of justice in the midst of war through the medium of a Christian periodical. During 1937 to 1941, The True Light Review was edited and published in the isolated Shanghai International Settlement. Through a dialogue with the debate of the Niebuhr brothers on just war, I argue that the literary discourses in The True Light Review are a kind of ‘realistic ethic’ used to seek an understanding of justice in the midst of war and violence. They show us that, from a world Christianity perspective, the traditional just war and pacifism dichotomy has its limitation. They lead us to propose a new understanding of Christian justice in war.