The Gods of War

Is Religion the Primary Cause of Violent Conflict?

By Meic Pearse

(paperback)

Product Details

Line: IVP Books
Length: 231 pages
Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches
Binding: paperback
Published: October 2007

ISBN-10: 0-8308-3490-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8308-3490-7
IVP Order Code: 3490

"This is an excellent book! The topic is an enigma as old as Western civilization, but the approach is fresh and filled with poignant facts and incisive insights. I am excited about its publication."

"The Gods of War is a quick but perceptive march through the political, military and religious history of the past two millennia. Displaying a remarkable command of that history, Pearse disentangles the many reasons nations go to war--from economic to geographic to egotistical to religious. While acknowledging that complete separation of these causes is somewhat artificial, the exercise uncovers remarkable insights that prove the worth of the project. The compelling argument--and it is compelling--tends to rehabilitate Christianity's core and defend it from distortion, both by its two greatest contemporary enemies--secular individualistic materialism and radical militant Islam--and by its supposed friends in other parts of the Western world."

"An informed and fascinating set of reflections on the causes of war, not just today but throughout history. Those who accept the modern canard that religion is the primary cause of war will be challenged by this responsible, honest analysis. With the care and detail of the historian, Meic Pearse shows that wars are multicausal and complex, and are motivated by all ideologies, secularist as well as religious. Without in any way trying to excuse the sins of religion, this book is a welcome corrective to modern, and often secularist-motivated, caricatures of the religious worldview."

"Professor Meic Pearse has done an admirable and fascinating job of answering the atheistic and agnostic critics who blame Christianity and other faiths for the wars of humankind. He has a breadth of historical, scriptural and sociological knowledge that makes his work fascinating to read. Evangelical scholarship now has a new and formidable proponent to deal with the forces of secular Western thought and Islamic radicalism. The author is never imperialistic in defending his faith and I believe he has understood the spirit of our Lord who is identified in Scripture as the Prince of Peace."

"In Western secular thought it has been axiomatic that Christianity, like other monotheistic religions, leads to destructive conflict and war. Meic Pearse, in this wide-ranging, well-researched and clearly argued book, enables Christians to come to terms with the violence in their history. Pearse goes further, inviting Christianity's critics to examine the immense violence perpetrated by irreligion and secularist ideologies. This book challenges all positions and provokes all parties--salutarily! I have greatly enjoyed the book."

"Essential reading for those caught up in the new war about, not of, religion."

"This book is not simple a defense of Christianity and a critique of atheism and secularism. In addition to frankly recounting the many failuers of the church over the centuries, Pearse also looks at related issues, such as the question of whether it is ever right for a Christian to fight. Pearse says both pacifism and just war theory are far from ideal Christian options. Pearse reluctantly argues that a believer can legitimately fight, but only for secular causes, not for the Christian faith."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can recommend it to all. Whether one agrees with his construal of Christianity or not, this informative and eloquent book provides us with important categories for entering an important debate."

"A thought-provoking read."