Warlike Christians in an Age of Violence
The Evangelical Case against War and for Gospel Peace
by Nick Megoran
Foreword by Nick Ladd
Imprint: Cascade Books
How should Christians respond to war? This age-old question has become more pressing given Western governments' recent overseas military interventions and the rise of extremist Islamist jihadism. Grounded in conservative evangelical theology, this book argues the historic church position that it is inadmissible for Christians to use violence or take part in war. It shows how the church's propensity to support the "just wars," crusades, rebellions, or "humanitarian interventions" of its host nations over time has been disastrous for the reputation of the gospel. Instead, the church's response to war is simply to be the church, by preaching the gospel and making peace in the love and power of God.
The book considers challenges to this argument for "gospel peace." What about warfare in the Old Testament and military metaphors in the New? What of church history? And how do we deal with tyrants like Hitler and terrorists like Islamic State? Charting a path between just war theory and liberal pacifism, numerous inspiring examples from the worldwide church are used to demonstrate effective and authentically Christian responses to violence. The author argues that as Christians increasingly drop their unbiblical addiction to war, we may be entering one of the most exciting periods of church history.
Nick Megoran is Professor of Political Geography at Newcastle University and Minister of Wallsend Baptist Church, England. He is the author of numerous books and articles on nationalist conflict, war, terrorism, and human dignity in the modern workplace.
“This book is not a political theology, nor is it a proposal for government action. It is both a heart cry and a biblical case for the church to be the church in living out the gospel of peace. And Nick gives us countless moving examples of what happens when faithful Christians live by this gospel in fearful and challenging situations; this is biblical theology contextualized in real life.”
—Nick Ladd, from the foreword
“Sadly, violence continues to be a recurring decimal in our world today. What should be an appropriate Christian response to violence? Dr. Nick Megoran argues in this book that Christians ought to promote peace rather than war. This is what it means to be the church and to be Christian in such a world as ours. I strongly recommend this book as a very helpful resource for navigating the intricate biblical and theological pathways to resolving the issues of violence, war, and peace.”
—John O. Enyinnaya, Associate Professor, Systematic and Biblical Theology,
Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso
“With a cloud of witnesses from Europe to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, Dr. Megoran’s reasoning and examples in his powerful book recover the true mission of the church: to stand unflinchingly against the brutal turbulence of our age and to act with ‘gospel peace’ regardless of the odds. We desperately need this reminder!”
—Jeffrey Brown, an architect of the “Boston Miracle,” an anti-violence effort in the United States
“When many conservative Christians serve as drum majors whenever the nation goes to war, Nick Megoran makes a persuasive and passionate case against war and violence with a refreshing reminder of the core message of peace in the Gospel of Jesus. By engaging with a broad spectrum of theological claims (e.g., just war theory, liberal pacifism), key biblical texts, and salient historical examples (e.g., Adolf Hitler), this book presents a consistent perspective against war, called ‘Gospel peacemaking.’ Written by a political geographer conversant with the studies of political conflicts, the book deserves careful attention and discussion among all Christians who take the Gospel of Jesus and Christian discipleship seriously.”
—Hak Joon Lee, Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics, Fuller Theological Seminary
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