Thanks for this commentary. Just War theory is very important. Those who would say that we should never fight wars must have no children or else be utterly unaware of the outside world. On the other hand, Grant was not wrong to say that “war is hell.“ What he left out is that it is far better to die than to go to hell. I am no expert, but I would guess that Augustine, et al make the point (brilliantly made by Tolkien and Pope St JPII in the last century) that even the greatest ends do not justify evil means. Life is a test, and the hardest part is deciding, which is the lesser of the various evils we are faced with. It can be truly overwhelming. But as St. Mother Teresa says, we are not called to succeed. We are called to be faithful. when we do our best, always asking for the Holy Spirit guidance, we should be at peace, knowing that history is in God’s hands. The worst things (the Fall, the spread of false religion, mass murders, etc.) happen when we think we are in control.
This is my first time as a listener to this “Substack podcast.“ (I have listened to a lot of podcasts, but only recently stuck my toe into Substacks, whatever they may be.) I have read Phil’s essays (and heard him on Al Kresta, EWTN, etc.) and sometimes Leila’s for many years. May God continue to bless you.
Thanks so much for listening! Your comments are much appreciated. Conflicts have to be resolved with a great deal of prudence, executed by wise leaders, urged on by an informed populace, so we can avoid the pitfalls. And we still might not avoid them.
You're right: St. Augustine also teaches that the only justification for war is to secure a just peace. So if war breaks out, a just government will a) have in mind what a just peace would be, and b) be ready constantly to reevaluate the situation and see if there's a better way to secure that just peace.
My only strong conviction is that, since truth is a unity, following the moral principles of just-war reasoning is also the best and most effective foreign policy. That is, if a country only fights wars for just causes and fights only by just means, in the long run that policy will be more beneficial to the country than following what LOOK like self-interests.
I watched Hillbilly Elegy when it first came out and thought it was quite compelling. Since that time, I’ve decided to avoid as much as possible the bad language in books and movies, particularly the taking of our Lord’s name in vain. The movie and the book are full of this. I’d love to know your thoughts on this subject. The memory of these scenes in books and movies can linger in my mind, and I’d just rather not have them there. For me, this is akin to racy scenes in movies. I’d just rather not have those images or words in my head. My mom offered to get me a copy of the book Hillbilly Elegy, and I politely declined, giving her my reason. Later, she said, “You were right—there was a lot of bad language in it. I was surprised.”
Yes, I agree that it's awful to hear the Lord's name used as a swear! I would much rather they just dropped the usual words however vulgar.
Sometimes I think Hollywood has a quota...
I think the movie has a grittiness in depicting an actual culture that maybe allows for some leeway. I think it's how people in those situations talk, and perhaps it's because in some way unknown to themselves they are actually calling out to the Lord.
And I think the book was written before Vance's conversion.
I certainly respect your wish not to be exposed to it! I try to remember to utter a little "bless the name of the Lord" when I hear it, and that is something I actually say to a person standing in front of me who uses the Lord's name that way.
Thank you for talking about the Russia-Ukraine War and particularly the dangerous situation last week. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person taking notice that were casually rushing into war with a nuclear power.
Good reading material on WW-3 provocation by our Neocons. In case you haven’t seen the Babylon bees answer to Newsom
https://x.com/thebabylonbee/status/1836518555648692570?s=46&t=GTvhmxxdJl-JWzuAfMMv3A
Thanks!
That Newsom "ad" is fantastic!
Thanks for this commentary. Just War theory is very important. Those who would say that we should never fight wars must have no children or else be utterly unaware of the outside world. On the other hand, Grant was not wrong to say that “war is hell.“ What he left out is that it is far better to die than to go to hell. I am no expert, but I would guess that Augustine, et al make the point (brilliantly made by Tolkien and Pope St JPII in the last century) that even the greatest ends do not justify evil means. Life is a test, and the hardest part is deciding, which is the lesser of the various evils we are faced with. It can be truly overwhelming. But as St. Mother Teresa says, we are not called to succeed. We are called to be faithful. when we do our best, always asking for the Holy Spirit guidance, we should be at peace, knowing that history is in God’s hands. The worst things (the Fall, the spread of false religion, mass murders, etc.) happen when we think we are in control.
This is my first time as a listener to this “Substack podcast.“ (I have listened to a lot of podcasts, but only recently stuck my toe into Substacks, whatever they may be.) I have read Phil’s essays (and heard him on Al Kresta, EWTN, etc.) and sometimes Leila’s for many years. May God continue to bless you.
Thanks so much for listening! Your comments are much appreciated. Conflicts have to be resolved with a great deal of prudence, executed by wise leaders, urged on by an informed populace, so we can avoid the pitfalls. And we still might not avoid them.
God bless!
You're right: St. Augustine also teaches that the only justification for war is to secure a just peace. So if war breaks out, a just government will a) have in mind what a just peace would be, and b) be ready constantly to reevaluate the situation and see if there's a better way to secure that just peace.
My only strong conviction is that, since truth is a unity, following the moral principles of just-war reasoning is also the best and most effective foreign policy. That is, if a country only fights wars for just causes and fights only by just means, in the long run that policy will be more beneficial to the country than following what LOOK like self-interests.
I watched Hillbilly Elegy when it first came out and thought it was quite compelling. Since that time, I’ve decided to avoid as much as possible the bad language in books and movies, particularly the taking of our Lord’s name in vain. The movie and the book are full of this. I’d love to know your thoughts on this subject. The memory of these scenes in books and movies can linger in my mind, and I’d just rather not have them there. For me, this is akin to racy scenes in movies. I’d just rather not have those images or words in my head. My mom offered to get me a copy of the book Hillbilly Elegy, and I politely declined, giving her my reason. Later, she said, “You were right—there was a lot of bad language in it. I was surprised.”
Yes, I agree that it's awful to hear the Lord's name used as a swear! I would much rather they just dropped the usual words however vulgar.
Sometimes I think Hollywood has a quota...
I think the movie has a grittiness in depicting an actual culture that maybe allows for some leeway. I think it's how people in those situations talk, and perhaps it's because in some way unknown to themselves they are actually calling out to the Lord.
And I think the book was written before Vance's conversion.
I certainly respect your wish not to be exposed to it! I try to remember to utter a little "bless the name of the Lord" when I hear it, and that is something I actually say to a person standing in front of me who uses the Lord's name that way.
Thank you for talking about the Russia-Ukraine War and particularly the dangerous situation last week. I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person taking notice that were casually rushing into war with a nuclear power.