Books in the Roland Bainton Reprints series

""Having devoted my life to the study of history, I am prompted in my latter days to ask whether one can make sense of it all.""--from the IntroductionIn this book, Bainton pauses to reflect on the importance of studying history because of what it can teach us about human nature. The study of history, then, is the study of human behavior and therefore it helps us understand ourselves. And with this greater self-understanding comes the further inquiry beyond the human--to God, Christ, and Christian ideals.Readers who think history is as dry as dust have never read Bainton! In this book, Bainton shows that history is not only interesting, it's also important. One can indeed ""make sense of it all.""

Any scholarship that addresses the evolution of Christian perspectives on warfare generally references this book. first published in 1960. Although the scholarship of this work is now outdated and critiqued, Bainton's work is foundational in the area. Bainton believes that the Christian community started out pacifistic, then developed the just war doctrine, and finally adopted holy war ideals. He traces this trajectory from the Early Church up through the wars and conflicts of the 20th century. Finally, Bainton adds his critique of current militaristic ideas, especially in regards to atomic warfare. (from a review by Andrew Lumpkin)