Alexander Campbell & N. T. Wright on Peace and a "United Nations"

I came across an article today (thanks to Frank Bellizzi) by renowed NT scholar and theologian Nicholas Thomas Wright. The short piece was published in the Washington Post. Wright articulates his belief that at times police action is necessary yet offers his analysis that the Iraq War has never fit the criteria of the Just War Ethic (and most wars have NOT passed muster on this point). Near the end of his short piece Wright makes the suggestion that a strong court of appeal (the UN) is what is necessary to help solve world problems. Wright knows that some will "scoff" at the suggestion. You can access the piece here:

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/nicholas_t_wright/2007/01/post_2.html

As I read through the article I remembered another distinguished reformer and theologian calling for much the same thing. Only this reformer thrived in the 19th century, his name was Alexander Campbell. Campbell formulated is thoughts in the aftermath of what he viewed as naked aggression on the part of the United States in its invasion of Mexico in 1848. Just for the curious I recommend reading Campbell's Address On War (1848) though it is longer than Wright's. Note the similarity in the proposal at the end. You can access the piece here:

Address on War

Imagine Alexander Campbell and N.T. Wright in convergence - on a great many things actually. It could give cause for pause.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine