A Primer For Conflict: Drawing A Line In The Sand
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Conflict will always be a reality in a sin-cursed world, certainly from the unbelieving world but even from within the church. Yet Scripture is sufficient to navigate conflict. Josh Howard has provided a very helpful guide to applying the sufficient Word to the various kinds of conflict we might face, all with the goal of growing our own faith and bringing ultimate glory to God.
—Dr. Scott Aniol, Executive Vice President and Editor-in-chief of G3 Ministries, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Grace Bible Theological Seminary
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Addresses conflict as an unavoidable reality in a sin-cursed world
- Provides a helpful guide to applying the sufficient Word to various kinds of conflict
- Aims to grow the reader’s faith and bring ultimate glory to God
- Preface
- Foreword
- Chapter 1: The Contours of Conflict
- Chapter 2: Conflict from Within
- Chapter 3: Conflict from Outside
- Chapter 4: Necessary Conflict
- Chapter 5: Principled Conflict
- Concluding Thoughts
- Bibliography
- Scripture Index
Christians always will have a conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil, and the Spirit will consistently be striving against the flesh. There are several other types of conflict in which the Christian finds himself obligated to address: heresy, moral issues, conflicts of individual consciences, issues of doctrinal interpretation, etc. Josh Howard has laid out the principles, very clearly giving us biblical advice about how to decide the issues that deserve our attention even in the face of conflict, how to avoid unnecessary engagement, the attitudes with which we should approach the various kinds of disagreements, and biblical encouragement to a deep sense of stewardship of the truth. We must choose our hills well and then defend them with full ardor. This book will help us all be better stewards of divine revelation as well as reflectors of Christ’s compassion and resolution.
—Dr. Tom Nettles, Senior Professor, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Author, By His Grace and For His Glory
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men”(Rom. 12:8). “Pursue peace with all men” (Heb. 12:14). But we are also commanded to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” ( Jude 3)—and the Christian experience is repeatedly pictured as warfare (Eph. 6:10–18; 2 Tim.2:3–4). We seek peace, but we face relentless conflict. Therefore, every Christian must be skilled as both a peacemaker and a warrior. Fulfilling those two seemingly antithetical duties is a difficult balancing act. Josh Howard skillfully shows from Scripture why neither duty should ever eclipse the other, and he gives extremely helpful and practical advice on how to pursue both objectives simultaneously in a sanctified, Christlike manner. This is an important and timely guide for Christians, especially in this era of social media and supercharged public discourse.
—Phil Johnson, Executive Director, Grace to You Ministries, Elder at Grace Community Church (Sun Valley, CA)
In the Christian life, we are promised to experience trouble along the journey. As Paul warned the elders of the church at Ephesus, sometimes such conflict comes from within (Acts 20). Still at other times, we face trials of persecution and the hatred of the world as Jesus promised his disciples (John 15:18–27). In the words of Solomon, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). It’s important to know how to respond during times of conflict, and Josh Howard approaches this topic through a sound theological grid balanced by helpful application.
—Dr. Josh Buice, Pastor of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church, Founder and President of G3 Ministries