Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Religion & Culture / Religious Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Richard Crossman

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to deal with two trends which have recently received a great deal of attention. One trend is an increasing questioning of the role which nuclear deterrence plays in securing a better world for our own and future generations. The other trend is the rise of the New Christian Right and its mixing of religion and American patriotism. These two trends have come face to face in the New Christian Right’s emphasis on restoring American superiority in its relative position to the Soviet Union—a country which they believe is the source of a monolithic Communist threat. The efforts of the New Christian Right to deal with nuclear deterrence are applauded but not accepted as representing the final word on how the gospel message is to be applied to such issues. The analysis of the New Christian Right’s position focuses on several areas. These include the following: anthropology, history, faith and reason, and biblical interpretation. It is concluded that their attempt to absolutize American values and America’s need for nuclear superiority does not square with the prophetic voice of the gospel, which stands in judgment on all human points of view, systems and structures. Thus the Christian approach to nuclear deterrence involves not an absolute faith commitment to the defense of the American point of view, but an emphasis on dialogue with those communities which have endorsed values which are sometimes in opposition to these. Such a dialogue can be pursued in economic terms, striving to discover the strength and weaknesses of both Capitalism and Communism. This attempt affirms that truth is not limited to any one particular community and that, through dialogue, values which point towards global peace and justice can be affirmed.

Convocation Year

1984

Convocation Season

Fall

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