To the editor, The Russian Government’s invasion of Ukraine, with tragic consequences for the people of that country at the time of writing, tests the whole world’s conscience, including those of Christian conviction.

A wish to resist evil and aggression against the desire for peace and to love one’s enemies is a frequent tension for followers of Jesus Christ. The Ukrainian conflict’s potential to escalate into wider conflict has illustrated hovering issues in international relations since WW2, including the role and limitations of the United Nations and the presence of nuclear weapons.

At the time the invasion occurred, Wellingtonians were experiencing an occupation of Parliament grounds and surrounding streets by supporters of the Convoy 2022 movement. Unlawful as it was, many undoubtedly acted peacefully. But others conducted harassment and threats while their presence disrupted businesses and workday routines. Eventually, authorities moved in despite resistance. Amidst regrettable, and even violent, scenes, they cleared the grounds and streets to end the occupation.

Both situations, so different in scale, still renew age-old questions. To what extent should people comply with state authority? What are the obligations of citizenship? How does one balance general unity and wellbeing alongside the right to exercise one’s conscience and dissent? What, if anything, constitutes a ‘just’ war or struggle? How should we respond to injustice generally?

In the Wellington occupation, protestors claimed to resist excessive use of state power and defended their freedom of choice. Yet, it seems the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders feel public health and safety amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic justifies these measures, even allowing for frustrating restrictions they have temporarily brought.

In Ukraine, a nation has had to defend itself from external aggression by another state. The outcome has been to this point a bitter war which no one wants or needs. Ukrainians, Russians and perhaps all humanity will consequently face ongoing suffering. Yet, Ukraine faces what seems to be a regrettably common human failing: abuse of power and authority by those with an inflated sense of the importance of both themselves and their perspectives.

Most Christians would agree this needs to be challenged, wherever it occurs. The question for all of us is how to obtain just solutions without causing further needless conflict.

Eighty years ago, a division in the NZ Methodist Church between supporters and opponents of participation in WW2 came to a head at its Conference in Wellington. Some feelings evidently ran high for years afterwards but eventually eased. Perhaps it was partly due to the passage of time and change of people in influence. But the biggest contributor may have been that it was always agreed, whatever its underlying causes, the rift was regrettable and required meaningful, not superficial, dialogue to bring about reconciliation.

Both society and the church have historically struggled with such issues, not always successfully. Yet, to follow Christ surely means to persevere and eventually overcome.

Jed Baker

Tawa, Wellington