Towards a Shared Theology of Nonviolence
The International Ecumenical Centre
Yet another interesting day at the ecumenical formation seminar. Today we went to the international ecumenical centre in Geneva, at head offices, for several presentations by program officers there. One of the activities was a market-place of different programs that the World Council of Churches is actively promoting and the other sessions were mainly focusing on regional aspects of ecumenical work, as well as private appointments with different WCC staff members.
I had a special meeting with the coordinator for the WCC’s decade to overcome violence, where we discussed two aspects of the work of WCC on peace and violence. Violence is normally considered to be a criminal justice issue outside of the inter-state war context, but WCC started working closely with the World Health Organization after they had issued a report on Health and Violence, where violence is identified as a public health priority. Partly because of the reason that ‘overcoming violence’ is not a very practical hands-on way of helping churches address the issue.
just peace theory and a theology of nonviolence
WCC has also been thinking of developing, if not adopting a resolution on “Just Peace” theory as opposed to “Just War” theory. Instead of the Church being the moral judge of whether or not a war is moral or not, or whether it is justified or not, it could become an actor on explicitly making the case for a “Just Peace”. What are the criteria for a just peace, at what point is peace unjust or not moral? The good thing about this, is that it focuses on the outcome as well as power imbalances that are normally inherent or present in a peace treaty for example or the “victor’s peace”. I like this concept, but would have to look further into it in order to develop a similar idea or approach from a Mormon theological point of view.
Further we discussed the role of nonviolence as a means to social change. In fact, the coordinator believes that there is still very little theology that has been developed from a Christian perspective on Nonviolence. There is in fact, besides what emanates from the traditional peace churches and from Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Leo Tolstoy and Henry David Thoreau, still a kind of gap in the theology of nonviolence! I find that both interesting and disturbing, that one of the largest and most central bodies in the ecumenical movement is still behind, or lacking a theological grounding for nonviolence – and perhaps that is why so many churches have avoided the issue entirely.
A development that is interesting now he mentioned is the example of the Latin American Church in which liberation theology emanated. Liberation theology was based on “just war” theory, where violence is justified to confront the oppressor. But the continent is now facing the impasse of not knowing how to reduce the level of violence so prevalent within their societies. Perhaps nonviolence is the answer after all?
I would be very interested in participating in a project or a study that would in fact develop and unravel a theology of nonviolence. This is in part what I am trying to do with this site. If there are any other people out there who are interested in such a project, I would welcome your ideas and contributions and would like to come in touch with you!
International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in Jamaica, May 2011
Another world IS possible. Glory to God and Peace on Earth! The IEPC will empower churches and ecumenical partners to become self-confident in their witness for peace with justice. It will celebrate the achievements of the Decade to Overcome Violence, which began in 2001, and seek to strengthen the churches’ position on peace, provide opportunities for networking and deepen the common commitment to just peace and reconciliation. Now more than ever, the ecumenical family must stand in solidarity against all forms of violence and work to actively promote peace in our own communities.
A wide range of plenary sessions and workshops will explore several themes. The IEPC will equip peacemakers with creative and effective tools for preventing and overcoming violence and for promoting peace and justice within their own communities once they return home. They will also have a deeper spiritual reaffirmation of the importance of peace work. An expanded knowledge of successful methodologies for peacemaking and an enhanced network of professional contacts will also help participants to further peace and reduce violence. See you soon in Kingston! If you are an LDS peacemaker/worker/builder, I would encourage you to seek to participate at this event which will be held from May 17-25, 2011 in Kingston, Jamaica.
