A Christian View of War and Peace

Those who argue that Christians should be pacifists quote the words of Jesus: Blessed are the peacemakers and resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right check turn to him the other also.

Others argue that Christians are called to fight against evil and quote these words of Jesus: Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Can these two positions be reconciled? Is Jesus contradicting Himself? Does the Bible advocate peace at any price? Is the Christian ever permitted to use force in the context of his duty as a citizen? Should Christians compromise principles for the sake of avoiding war? And to have peace at any price?

In a Christian View of War and Peace, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates offers sound biblical answers to these questions and many more in an exegetical study of Matthew 5:9 and other related New Testament passages. Alarmed by the church’s misunderstanding of the term peace, Dr. Zodhiates felt compelled to produce a systematic study of Scripture on the topic of war and peace. It is his belief that only Scripture can give us authoritative answers regarding the true meaning of peace and the proper reaction to evil in the world.