THEOLOGICAL VISIONS OF WAR AND PEACE AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE WORLDVIEW ORIENTATION OF UKRAINIANS

Abstract

This article examines the views of contemporary theologians on war and peace. The author notes that concepts such as holy war, political realism, pacifism, and just war have largely developed outside the Orthodox discourse. As a result, the task of creating a modern paradigm for the participation of Ukrainian theologians in military operations is becoming increasingly relevant, particularly in light of Russia’s war against Ukraine. With the beginning of Russia’s military operations against Ukraine, no religious organization has kept silent about its position on the aggressor. However, after the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022, the emphasis on this issue has shifted dramatically. Previously, religious organizations emphasized peacemaking and religious dialogue as vital for peaceful coexistence. Instead, the policy of “appeasing the aggressor” soon began to be perceived as a threat to the entire civilized world. At the same time, the issue of introducing the concept of “just war” into the religious lexicon remains relevant. This requires further study of theological views on war and peace, as well as the impact of these views on the religious consciousness of believers. War has long been a topic of theology, with interpretations ranging from pacifism—the complete rejection of war — to concepts such as “just” and “holy” war, and even political realism with its complete justification.

The Orthodox ethical tradition, however, does not provide a clear position on the spiritual, moral, and political challenges that war poses. The ambiguous ethical assessments of the Orthodox Church, based on deep theological sources, often remain difficult to understand. This raises the question: can a particular theological tradition conceptualize one or more Orthodox approaches to war? Can one speak of an Orthodox way of life during war? How does it differ from a peaceful way of life, and if so, how? Furthermore, can the Orthodox Church contribute to contemporary reflections on war by enriching the ethical traditions of other Christian communities?

To answer these questions, the article examines lesser-known but constructive Christian approaches to war, including just peacemaking and Christian realism. It also examines the strengths and weaknesses of each in the context of contemporary Ukrainian realities. A sociological study has revealed that today the civic position of the Church plays a significant role in society, acting as a significant factor in the national consolidation of the faithful and the preservation of their ethnic identity. This emphasizes the relevance of Christian realism in the context of contemporary challenges.