Unbelievable? Classic: War and Peace: Is War ever justified or should Christians embrace Pacifism? Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas
Jan 20, 2026
In a thought-provoking discussion, Nigel Biggar, a Regius Professor at Oxford advocating for the just war theory, and Stanley Hauerwas, a prominent theologian focused on pacifism, explore whether war can ever be justified for Christians. Biggar presents his case for necessary force to protect the innocent, while Hauerwas emphasizes radical nonviolence rooted in Christ's teachings. They tackle historical influences, the moral implications of violence, and the complexities of Christian participation in warfare, prompting deep reflection on ethics and love.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Just War As Tragic Rescue
- Nigel Biggar argues just war is an expression of love for the innocent rather than mere self‑defence.
- He frames war as a tragic policing function sometimes required to rescue innocents in a sinful world.
Early Christian Soldiers
- Nigel Biggar notes historical evidence of Christians in the military as early as the second century.
- He connects just war thinking to Christians' later governmental responsibilities after Constantine.
Cross Shapes Christian Nonviolence
- Stanley Hauerwas locates Christian nonviolence in the cross and resurrection as a constitutive ethic.
- He says Christians are called to live nonviolently as a faithful witness, not primarily as a pragmatic strategy to end war.
