Does God Endorse Violence?

The podcast *Knowing Faith* tackles the provocative question of whether God endorses violence, unpacking a complex theological terrain with nuance and care. The hosts—Kyle Worley, Jen Wilkin, and JT English—agree that while God is never the source of evil or unrighteous violence, He does sovereignly ordain and command holy judgment against wickedness, particularly in the Old Testament narratives like Joshua and Judges. They argue that the term 'violence' carries heavy moral baggage in modern discourse, often equating it solely with evil, but that God’s actions—such as the conquest of Canaan or the flood—are not acts of moral violence but acts of divine justice and restoration. The key insight? God’s 'violence' is not amoral or evil; it is morally righteous, restrained, and ultimately aimed at recreating a broken world. The conversation shifts to modern implications: while the church is not called to launch holy wars, believers are encouraged to pray imprecatory prayers, support just war principles when necessary, and act as protectors of the vulnerable—especially in contexts like Nigeria where governments fail. The episode concludes with a powerful call to discernment: one man’s holy war is another’s terror act, and only pure intention, biblical wisdom, and alignment with God’s ultimate eschatological justice can justify any use of force.