Rivalry and its antidote in charity: Lessons from the crucifixion for wars and rumours of wars

Abstract

According to anthropologist, René Girard, the crucifixion of Jesus acts as an antidote to rivalry and scapegoating through revelation of the innocence of the victim. This article assumes an Augustinian perspective to argue that this revelation calls for something more than a response of peace in the face of rivalry and spiralling violence. The death of Jesus was not an act of peace but an act of charity in the form of sacrifice for peace with justice. This article argues that charity is an under-appreciated virtue in the Just War tradition, yet it is the perfect antidote to the rivalry that both provokes and characterises war.