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Lesson 5 of 14
  • Year 11

Just War Theory (Christianity)

In this lesson, we will focus on the Christian just war theory. We will explore Aquinas' just war theory and look at a case study: can wars be just? Falklands/WWII.

View unit
Lesson 5 of 14
  • Year 11

Just War Theory (Christianity)

In this lesson, we will focus on the Christian just war theory. We will explore Aquinas' just war theory and look at a case study: can wars be just? Falklands/WWII.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Aquinas' just war theory.
  2. Case study: can wars be just? Falklands/WWII.

Equipment

You will need two different coloured pens: black or blue and another coloured pen, such as green or red.

Content guidance

  • Contains conflict or violence.

Supervision

Adult supervision suggested

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these terms is best defined by "a selfish desire for something"?

Correct answer: Greed
Retaliation
Self-defence

Q2.
Which of these terms is best defined by "deliberately harming someone/a group/a nation as a response to them harming you"?

Greed
Correct answer: Retaliation
Self defence

Q3.
Which of these terms is best defined by "acting to prevent harm to yourself"?

Greed
Retaliation
Correct answer: Self-defence

Q4.
Which religions traditionally may accept that conflict may sometimes be necessary in order to defend yourself?

Christianity
Correct answer: Christianity and Islam
Islam
Neither Christianity or Islam

Q5.
Which religions would traditionally encourage retaliation?

Christianity
Christianity and Islam
Islam
Correct answer: Neither Christianity or Islam

Q6.
Which religions would traditionally accept greed as an acceptable motivation for war?

Christianity
Christianity and Islam
Islam
Correct answer: Neither Christianity or Islam

Assessment exit quiz

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7 Questions

Q1.
Which notable Christian thinker created the just war theory?

St Anselm
Correct answer: St Aquinas
St Augustine
St Irenaeus

Q2.
What areas of conflict do rules of the just war theory cover?

Correct answer: Both when you can go to war and how the war should be fought
None of the above
Only how war should be fought
Only when you can go to war

Q3.
Which of these statements is true about how the concept of sanctity of life can be applied to the the just war theory.

It can only be used to oppose the theory
It can only be used to support the theory
Correct answer: It could be used to both support and oppose the theory
None of the above

Q4.
Which condition of the just war theory can be explained by the following text: "Started by the Government or rightful leader"

Correct answer: Correct authority
Just cause
Last resort
Proportional

Q5.
Which condition of the just war theory can be explained by the following text: "Use a suitable amount of force, do not use excessive force"

Correct authority
Just cause
Correct answer: Proportional
Right intention

Q6.
Which condition of the just war theory can be explained by the following text: "All other ways of solving the dispute must have been tried"

Chance of success
Correct authority
Correct answer: Last resort
Proportional

Q7.
Which condition of the just war theory can be explained by the following text: "Correcting an injustice, defending yourself or others"

Chance of success
Correct authority
Correct answer: Just cause
Last resort