Becoming a Christian, Becoming a Peacemaker

Abstract

Alife in peace is a basic human desire. It is also a basic human right, many would argue. For most people of the world today, this desire is far from their reach, and their right is violated. Confronting the evil of violence in daily life, which is present in all societies and life situations, is a constant challenge for individuals and communities, no matter where they live. Whether violence is cultural, economic, interpersonal, military, emotional, or social, it is an evil that challenges human societies, communities, and individuals who yearn to live in peace. This is particularly challenging to those people of faith whose religious ethic of life is fundamentally an ethic of nonviolence and peacemaking, such as Christians. As I will argue below, our Christian faith, tradition, and church teaching call us to be peacemakers, to make a life of peace, for ourselves and others. What do we really mean by peace? What do we mean by becoming peacemakers in the face of the violence of daily life? Is the Christian calling primarily for living a life of inner, personal peace, or is it mainly for making social peace? Are social peace and personal peace unrelated? Is one possible without the other? Can people maintain inner peace while living in situations of violence? What are we exactly