Quote of Note #161: The Biblical Mandate for Civility

“The truth is that civility is not something that stands over against biblically based convictions in a kind of ‘tension’ relationship. To put it bluntly: the obligation to be civil is itself a matter of biblical conviction. This is very clear, for example, in 1 Peter 3:15. . .’Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.’ That is a mandate to nurture convictions about the content of the gospel. The next part of the verse, though, is also an apostolic mandate: ‘But do this with gentleness and respect’ (NIV). The fact that civility–the cultivation of a gentle, respectful spirit representing the cause of the gospel–is something that pleases the God of the Scripture is itself a conviction on which the Bible calls us to stand firm.”

Richard Mouw, Adventures in Evangelical Civility: A Lifelong Quest of Common Ground. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press/Baker Publishing Group, 2016, page 211.