Unbelievable? Pacifism vs Just War: Should Christians Ever Fight? Brian Zahnd & Andrew Hronich
Nov 20, 2025
Brian Zahnd, a pastor and peace advocate, teams up with Andrew Hronich, a theologian and doctoral student, for a riveting discussion on whether Christians can support war. They delve into Zahnd's transformation from a mainstream war supporter to a proponent of nonviolence. Exploring biblical teachings, they highlight Jesus' call for peace and the early church's stance on violence. The conversation also examines modern warfare's moral challenges, the role of the church in public service, and the importance of cultivating a community dedicated to peacemaking.
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Personal Conversion From Pro-War Support
- Brian Zahnd recounts a turning point after supporting the Gulf War that forced him to rethink Christian support for war.
- That experience led him to study Jesus, the early church, and conclude his Christian identity shapes his view on violence.
Jesus Enacts A Nonviolent Kingdom
- Brian Zahnd argues Jesus proclaimed and enacted a kingdom that is an alternative to worldly kingdoms built by war.
- He says Christ's disarming of Peter signals a radical refusal of war as the method of God's kingdom.
Scripture Holds Both Warrior And Peacemaker Images
- Andrew Hronich situates Jesus within salvation history and notes the Bible contains both warrior and peace imagery.
- He suggests the Sermon on the Mount issues inform rulers and that contextual reading affects permissibility of force.
