Nowadays, national and international conflicts often have a global political, economic, and social impact. Although other countries are not directly involved in the war in Ukraine, the strong political and military support of many countries to the Ukrainian resistance against the Russian aggression demonstrates the geopolitical dimensions and impact of this conflict. The threat of a nuclear escalation of this conflict seems to bring us back in the era of the Cold War with its delicate balance of opposing nuclear superpowers in the world. The position of China in the world cannot be overstated in this respect, which concerns not only its relationship to Russia, but also its worldwide economic power and political influence, which increasingly extends to the global south. Meanwhile, we face the continuing threat of terrorism and postcolonial conflicts at many places around the globe. In all these conflicts and wars religion is a crucial factor. On the one hand, religious motives serve as justification for aggression and terror. The Russian invasion in the Ukraine is strongly supported by Russian Orthodox Church leaders, who justify it in terms of a ‘holy war’. Islamist terrorism, i.e., terrorism of which the perpetrators and supporters claim to carry it out in the name of the Islam, is still threatening the world. On the other hand, religion motivates for peace building and reconciliation between enemies and across national or ethnic borders. Religious traditions and beliefs function as critical sources for ethical and political deliberation about (non-violent) resistance against oppression or the need to protect innocent people from violence by using (military) force. Against this background we seem to need sound ‘political theology’ that, moved by and involved in social issues, institutionally and substantively liberates the church from any instrumentalization and political abuse.