Classic: War and Peace: Is War ever justified or should Christians embrace Pacifism? Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas

Unbelievable?

Premier Unbelievable?

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.7 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 20 January 2026

⏱️ 70 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In a world riddled with conflict, where headlines scream of violence and unrest, the age-old question resurfaces: Is war ever justified, or should Christians wholeheartedly embrace pacifism? Join esteemed scholars Nigel Biggar and Stanley Hauerwas as they delve into the moral complexities of war and peace from a Christian perspective in this classic replay episode. Nigel Biggar, renowned theologian and ethicist, brings his nuanced understanding of just war theory, exploring the conditions under which Christians might find themselves compelled to engage in warfare. Stanley Hauerwas, also a leading voice in Christian ethics, advocates for a radical alternative: pacifism. Hauerwas challenges listeners to reconsider conventional notions of power and violence, urging a transformative approach rooted in love and nonviolence. This episode originally aired on: 8 November 2014 • Subscribe to Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 on your preferred platform to never miss an episode, and join the conversation as we explore the nuances of belief, skepticism, and the evolving landscape of modern thought. • Rate and review this podcast in your podcast provider to help others discover the podcast • Get in touch with us to share your questions for upcoming shows! • Support us: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Transcript

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0:00.0	My dad died when I was nine years old and it broke something in me.
0:05.0	I spent lots of times homeless, causing even bigger rifts in the family.
0:10.0	I was out of control.
0:12.0	Green Pastures is a Christian charity providing homes and support for people facing homelessness across the UK.
0:20.0	As soon as I walked in that place,
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0:26.6	freedom from addiction,
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0:35.6	And now I'm senior support worker here at Green Pastures Derby.
0:39.3	Find out more at greenpastures.co.uk.
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1:37.8	You're doing. Hello and welcome to another unbelievable classic replay. I'm Ruth Jackson and this week we're delving back into the archives to bring you a discussion on the question.
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