ABSTRACT
The just cause discussion reflects upon the oldest Just War Theory element. Pursuing justness has degrees of acceptable causes: some wars are fought for glory, and these do not necessitate the intensity of those fought for state survival. Augustine is consistent with other early Christian scholars in rejecting an individual’s right to kill in self-defense. Separating his existence on earth from the afterlife in heaven, Augustine is critical of man’s motive for killing to protect earthly things that are of no use in the afterlife. Wars among states or kingdoms according to Augustine are just if used to avenge wrong doings by others, punish states for refusing to make amends for committing wrongs against another state, or to return (or restore) resources that were wrongfully taken.
