by Dee Ann Loving-Tackitt
Scripture holds together personal holiness, public justice, and divine wisdom.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:21 (ESV)
This week in Dr. Gary May’s BIBL 830 course, The Bible and the Pastor (or Uses of Scripture in Pastoral Ministry), my homework was to think through how Christians should form a biblical response to a contemporary ministry issue. The course examines how Scripture functions in preaching, teaching, counseling, church administration, and the pastor’s own devotional life, with the goal of helping pastors apply the Bible faithfully in real ministry settings. For this assignment, I reflected on John Stott’s treatment of war and peace in Issues Facing Christians Today. As I worked through the material, I was especially struck by the wisdom of Romans 12 and 13 and how those two chapters help Christians think carefully about both peace and justice. While the original discussion was written for class, I realized the subject reaches far beyond the classroom. In a world marked by violence, political division, and deep moral uncertainty, the question of how Christians should think about war is not merely academic. It is pastoral, personal, and public.
Why Stott’s Approach Matters
“Mercy triumphs over judgment.” — James 2:13
What I appreciate about John Stott’s approach is that he refuses two extremes. On one side is the idea that peace means never resisting evil in any form. On the other side is the assumption that force is easily justified whenever a nation feels threatened or angry. Stott takes neither path. Instead, he argues that because God is both just and peace-loving, Christians must think carefully and biblically about the use of force. War, in his view, is never something to celebrate. At best, it is a tragic possibility in a fallen world. Yet Stott also insists that civil government has a real responsibility before God to restrain evil and protect the innocent. That tension—between peace and justice—is what makes the discussion so difficult and so important.
A Christian Framework for Thinking About War
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” — Matthew 5:9
Stott draws heavily from the historic Christian just war tradition. In simple terms, this tradition asks whether war can ever be morally justified, and if so, under what conditions. The answer is not a blank check. According to this framework, a war must have a just cause, be carried out by legitimate authority, and be pursued only after serious alternatives have been exhausted. Even then, the conduct of war must be restrained. Violence cannot be indiscriminate, and every effort must be made to protect those who are not participating in the fighting. Finally, there must be a realistic hope that the use of force will lead to a more just outcome rather than deepen injustice. What makes Stott’s discussion valuable is that he does not treat these ideas as political slogans. He treats them as moral boundaries that place human power under God’s judgment.
Romans 12 and 13 and the Wisdom of God
“Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God…” — Romans 12:19
What I find especially compelling in Stott’s discussion is the way he handles Romans 12 and 13 together. At first glance, those chapters may seem to pull in different directions. Romans 12 calls Christians to reject revenge, love their enemies, and overcome evil with good. Romans 13 teaches that governing authorities have a God-given role in restraining evil and punishing wrongdoing. Yet when those chapters are read together, they display the wisdom of God rather than a contradiction in Scripture. Romans 12 shapes the heart and conduct of the Christian disciple. Romans 13 explains the public responsibility of civil authority. In other words, God does not give the same calling to every person or institution in exactly the same way. That distinction matters. Christians are never permitted to indulge personal vengeance, hatred, or triumphalism. At the same time, Stott argues that government may, under limited and morally serious conditions, use force to protect the innocent and restrain evil. Whether or not one agrees with every part of his conclusion, this reading of Romans 12 and 13 shows how Scripture can hold together personal holiness, public justice, and divine wisdom.
Why This Matters Beyond the Classroom
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
What this assignment reminded me of most is that a Christian view of public life cannot be built on emotion alone. It must be shaped by Scripture. That is why questions about the truthfulness and authority of the Bible matter so much. If Scripture is trustworthy and authoritative, then Christians cannot simply adopt whatever moral position feels most compassionate or most practical in the moment. They must wrestle honestly with the whole witness of the Bible, even when that witness includes difficult tensions. For me, that is one of the enduring strengths of Stott’s work. He shows that serious Christian ethics requires more than strong opinions. It requires humble submission to God’s Word, careful theological reasoning, and a willingness to let Scripture challenge our instincts as well as our politics.
Final Thought
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all…” — James 1:5
I started this week’s homework as an academic assignment for Dr. May’s class, but I finished it thinking more deeply about the wisdom of God in Scripture. Romans 12 and 13 do not offer simplistic answers, but they do offer needed guidance. They remind us that Christians are called to humility, enemy-love, and freedom from personal vengeance, while also recognizing that God has given civil authority a role in preserving justice and order. In a time when public arguments about war, justice, and power are often shaped more by outrage than wisdom, that biblical balance matters. Stott’s work offers a helpful reminder that faithful Christian thinking requires both conviction and humility, and that God’s Word remains the surest guide for difficult moral questions.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give us hearts that are shaped by Your Word and not by fear, anger, or pride. Teach us to love our enemies, to walk in humility, and to trust Your wisdom where difficult questions remain. Grant wisdom to those in authority, protection to the innocent, and peace where there is violence. Above all, help us to submit our minds and lives to the truth of Scripture through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Resource
Stott, John R. W. Issues Facing Christians Today. 4th ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2006.
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