Biblical Models of Handling Conflict

Brian Burch is a teacher, writer and poet and author of Still Under the
Thumb.

When I think of biblical models of handling conflict I tend to think of Moses smashing the tablets on which were written the Ten Commandments, of David sending his commander-in-chief to the front lines to be killed in battle in order to take his general’s wife, or of Christ driving the money changers and merchants from the temple courtyard. While these direct-action models of conflict resolution are obviously present in the Bible, Roy Bell’s Biblical Models of Handling Conflict is an effort to look at alternatives to harmful confrontational methods of solving conflicts by examining biblical and traditional Canadian church teachings on the subject.

As in most books dealing with the topic, Bell tries to deal with such ways of conflict as avoidance, escalation of conflict, denial, and angry confrontation by analyzing such approaches in a pragmatic fashion, looking at the weaknesses and strengths of any tactic. Bell’s book differs from most by his use of biblical role models and his concern for spiritual and community needs.

Bell’s advice on the need for reconciliation to overcome damaging and harmful attitudes and actions and the need to deal honestly with anger are sound advice and advice that one hears from most people involved in conflict resolution efforts, not just Christians. He seems to make a good effort to make secular ideas acceptable to a conservative Christian audience.

Bell is obviously writing for a limited audience and this book should be acceptable to most who see themselves as conservative, fundamental, or evangelical Christians. It does not rock any traditions, nor does it expressly make use of the research and experience of the secular world.

For the broader community I wish to draw specific attention to the final chapter of Biblical Models of Handling Conflict. This chapter, “Confronting Conflict in Canadian Society,” is Bell’s effort to apply his conflict resolution theories to the political process, specifically in looking at ways to bring the agenda of the evangelical community forward. It contains some information and concepts that might be of interest to those interested in social change in general or the political agenda of the religious right specifically.