God in His Place: Paul's Teaching of Non-Violence in Romans 12:17-21

Abstract

This study investigated Paul’s teaching of active non-violent resistance to evil in Romans 12:17—21. Grammatical-historical method and Ubuntu hermeneutics were utilized to study the text. The study argued that Paul does not teach passive resistance to evil but like Jesus he teaches active non- violent resistance to evil. In Paul’s thought, not to be overcome by evil is to overcome it with good. The study also argued that the metaphor of heaping burning coals on your enemies ought to be taken positively and not negatively. This interpretation is consistent with the context of Romans 12 where Paul says that love must be sincere. To heap burning coals is a demonstration of love for the enemy. The study affirmed that Paul’s teaching is close to the Ubuntu philosophy and hence Africans have two great resources for teaching active non-violent resistance to evil.