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Volume 37, Number 4 |
Richardton, ND 58652 |
October 2009 |
A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO PEACE
Terrence Kardong
INTRODUCTION
The title of this paper is nothing earthshaking. After all, the New Testament is full of phrases like “Peace on earth to men of good will.” And Christian sermons are often laced with pious wishes for peace. But this paper will take a more specific line, namely, that peace means nonviolence. And I would also insist at the very beginning that nonviolence is at the very heart of Christianity.
To anyone who has read a bit of Christian history, or indeed, the history of the Western World, such a claim could appear absurd or even outrageous. That would be the case for anyone who has been on the receiving end of Christian violence, of which there has been an abundance. But it must also be said that for many Christians, and especially in this country at this time, there is no contradiction between violence and Christian discipleship.
To give you a lurid example of the kind of confused thinking on this subject that can exist among Christians, it was reported that the men who assassinated Archbishop Romero in El Salvador in 1989 had met the night before and vowed to “save the faith” by purging it of a great enemy. Romero’s sin was to love the poor. These men were simply carrying out the warning
Bro. John Seiler is shown poking his way around in the dark of the powerhouse. Maybe he is looking in on the new backup generator, which will soon be in operation. (Photo by Bro. Bertrand)
