Does the Gospel Demand More Than Just "Just War"?

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Yes. While the "Just War" tradition has historically provided a framework for limiting the horrors of conflict, the Gospel calls followers of Jesus to move beyond the mere justification of force and into the active "craft" of peacemaking. This involves a proactive commitment to justice, reconciliation, and the spiritual labor of the Beatitudes to prevent conflict before it begins.

What Happened: A Call to the Gospel of Peace

In recent statements that have rippled through the global faith community, Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago has issued a profound "Call to Conscience" regarding the way modern society views conflict. Speaking in early 2026, Cupich challenged the heavy reliance on "Just War" theory, noting that many use it as a default justification rather than a last resort.

Cupich argued that in our current era, war is often treated as a "choice" or even a form of entertainment on social media, rather than a catastrophic failure of diplomacy and morality. He emphasized that "peace is not the absence of war, but the work of justice." His message is a direct invitation to the Church to stop asking "When is it okay to fight?" and start asking "How do we build a world where fighting is no longer seen as a necessity?"

This shift in focus: from the mechanics of war to the "craft" of peace: is a call to return to the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. It suggests that the Gospel demands more of us than a checklist of ethical war-making; it demands a life-altering pursuit of the peace of Christ in every corner of society.

Both Sides: The Tension of the Sword and the Olive Branch

To understand the weight of this conversation, we must look at the two primary frameworks that have guided Christians for centuries.

1. The "Just War" Tradition For nearly 1,500 years, the Just War tradition: pioneered by thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas: has sought to balance the reality of a fallen world with the commands of Christ. It sets strict criteria for when a war is "just" (jus ad bellum) and how it must be fought (jus in bello). It emphasizes that force should only be used to protect the innocent, punish evil, and restore peace.

Proponents argue that in a world of aggressive tyrants and violent extremists, the "sword" of the state (Romans 13) is a necessary tool of love for one's neighbor. For them, "Just War" isn't an endorsement of violence, but a way to limit it and ensure that if conflict must happen, it remains within moral boundaries.

2. Active Peacemaking (The "Gospel of Peace") The alternative, which Cardinal Cupich and many modern theologians are championing, is the move toward "Active Peacemaking." This view argues that the "Just War" criteria are increasingly impossible to meet in an age of nuclear weapons, drone warfare, and total civilian impact.

Critics of the Just War tradition point out that it often becomes a "blank check" for governments to label their interests as "just." Active peacemaking, by contrast, focuses on the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). This side argues that the Church’s primary role is not to bless the state’s weapons, but to model a third way: a way of reconciliation that addresses the root causes of war, such as poverty, injustice, and tribalism.

Why It Matters: From the Global Stage to the Mid-South

While these debates often happen in the halls of the Vatican or at the United Nations, they have a profound local resonance, particularly here in the Mid-South.

In cities like Memphis, we understand that peace is not just the absence of international conflict; it is the presence of safety, justice, and community in our own neighborhoods. When we talk about "active peacemaking," we are talking about the hard work of reconciliation between divided communities, the effort to curb street violence, and the spiritual mission to bring hope to those who feel abandoned.

If we only focus on the "justification" of force: whether in foreign policy or local policing: we miss the opportunity to engage in the "work of justice" that prevents violence in the first place. For the family in Memphis trying to navigate a divided culture, this means that our call as Christians is to be the "bridge-builders" in our schools, our workplaces, and our city councils. Peace is a craft that must be practiced daily, not just a policy to be debated when a crisis hits.

The Biblical Perspective: A Pentecostal Lens

As a movement rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Assemblies of God (AG) holds a nuanced and deeply spiritual view of this tension. The official AG stance is clear: we "deplore war" and are committed to its avoidance as much as "accountability, sensibility, and responsibility allow."

Through an AG/Pentecostal lens, we recognize several key biblical truths:

1. The Sovereignty of God and the Role of the State We acknowledge that God has granted the state the authority to maintain order and protect the innocent (Romans 13:1-5). This is why many in our community serve honorably in the military and law enforcement. We believe these roles can be a form of service to God when they are exercised with justice and humility.

2. The Power of the Spirit to Reconcile However, our ultimate loyalty is to the Kingdom of God. We believe that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate Peacemaker. Pentecost itself was a reversal of Babel: it brought people of different languages and tribes together in one spirit. This suggests that the "Gospel of Peace" is not just a suggestion; it is the very identity of the Church.

3. The Call to Conscientious Discernment The AG movement respects the "freedom of conscience" of those who feel called to be pacifists and those who feel called to serve in the military. This respect for individual conscience is vital. It means that every believer must look at the Prince of Peace and ask, "How am I called to represent Your peace in this broken world?"

We believe in "Divine Healing": not just for bodies, but for nations. We believe in the "Second Coming," which reminds us that ultimate peace will only come when Christ returns. Until then, our job is to be "ambassadors of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Life Takeaway: How to Be a "Craftsman" of Peace

If the Gospel demands more than just "Just War," how do we respond today? Here are a few practical steps to help you find your footing:

• Audit Your Information: Are you consuming news that fuels rage and tribalism, or news that leads you toward prayer and understanding? Stay informed, but don't lose your peace to the "outrage machine."

• Practice Local Reconciliation: Identify a relationship or a local issue where there is division. Instead of taking a side, ask how you can be a peacemaker. Sometimes, the most radical act of peacemaking is a quiet conversation with someone you disagree with.

• Pray for Wisdom, Not Just Victory: When conflict arises: internationally or locally: our prayers should not just be for "our side" to win, but for God’s justice to prevail and for the protection of the innocent on all sides.

• Support the "Work of Justice": Peace is built on the foundation of justice. Look for ways to support ministries and organizations that address the root causes of conflict: hunger, lack of education, and spiritual fatherlessness.

The "craft" of peace is difficult. It requires more courage than war because it demands we lay down our pride and our need to be "right." But it is the way of Jesus. As we navigate a world that seems increasingly bent on conflict, let us be the ones who carry the quiet, steady, and transformative peace of Christ.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, confused, or emotionally drained by the news cycle: your reaction is not “weak.” It’s human. We invite you into a Jesus-centered community for spiritual family and care at BoundlessOnlineChurch.org. If you need private, personal guidance during a hard season, Dr. Layne McDonald offers Christian coaching and mentoring at LayneMcDonald.com. Stay grounded, stay hopeful, and keep pointing to Jesus.

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