Abstract:
Luke 12:49–59 contains two pericopes whose only bond of unity is conflict. The first pericope
(49–53) deals with the kind of conflict best described as persecution because of Jesus, whereas,
the first part of the second pericope (54–57) is a call for the Lukan community to understand
various signs which mark a transition from the first to the second pericope. The second half of
the second pericope (58–59) deals with inter-personal conflict among community members as
it is seen and documented by the evangelist. In it, Jesus gives advice on how to avoid falling
victim to legal justice. This research examines Jesus’ stance in handling conflict, and to observe
if the contemporary Christianity in Nigeria understands conflict management as Jesus did in
Lk 12:49–59, and how far the church has applied Jesus’ conflict management styles. The tools
of exegesis and hermeneutics were employed to reconstruct the two pericopes and their
various life situations.
INTRADISCIPLINARY AND /OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS: The study’s implication is an
approach with New Testament using Form Criticism to challenge the docility often seen in the
(Nigerian) church each time there is a conflict situation. Peace and conflict study is analysed
from the perspective of New Testament studies in order to cancel this stereotypical docility
that is misunderstood as ‘Christian pacifism’. It then argues that the life situation of the conflict
(whether it is intra-mural or extra-mural) should guide Christians to make the right choice
towards conflict management.
