At peace and unafraid : public order, security, and the wisdom of the cross

Many Mennonites are clear about avoiding the violence of war and some types of police activities. Less clear, though, is the extent to which Mennonites should participate in the coercive systems needed for safe, stable and peaceful communities. This book provides theological reflection on this and other questions of Mennonite nonviolent ethics. At Peace and Unafraid explores principles and practices to guide Christians in living out Jesus' way of nonviolent love in societies that often do not share their convictions. Commissioned by Mennonite Central Committee, the authors ask what faithfulness to Christ means in the context violent conflict in Colombia? church congregations responding to sexual offenders? the Palestinian/Israeli conflict? the post-9/11 challenges to democracy in the United States and Canada? The authors bring to these issues expertise from the disciplines of theology, ethics, the social sciences, law, social work, pastoral ministry, public office and other professions. CONTENTS......Page 8 Foreword......Page 12 INTRODUCTION......Page 20 1. Tracing the Grain of the Universe: Project Overview......Page 22 PART I: In Search of Security: Wisdom and the Gospel of Peace......Page 36 2. In Search of Security: A Theology and Ethic of Peace and Public Order......Page 38 Four Theological Assumptions......Page 39 The Context......Page 43 Clarification of Theological Issues......Page 48 Shalom Practices: Securing Human Life and Dignity......Page 61 A Concluding Reminder......Page 76 3. Gadfly Citizenship: Faithful Public Practices beyond the National Security Model......Page 84 Toward a Model of Mennonite Citizenship......Page 85 Enhancing "Security"?......Page 88 Global Securitizing in the Wake of 9/11......Page 92 Economies and Technologies of National Security......Page 94 National Security Versus Community Well-being......Page 98 Security and the "Democratic Deficit"......Page 100 Citizen Security Initiatives......Page 101 Toward Practices of Faithful Citizenship......Page 105 Toward Inclusive Security and Faithful Citizenship......Page 113 4. Seeking Wisdom in the Face of Foolishness: Toward a Robust Peace Theology......Page 118 God's Reign and Human Institutions......Page 120 The Promise of the Wisdom Tradition......Page 123 Wisdom's Invitation, An Image of Abundance......Page 125 A Conversation in Many Modes......Page 127 Wisdom's Truth: Values, Insights, Convictions, and Practices......Page 134 Conclusion: The Promise of Wisdom for Discernment of the Common Good......Page 147 Appendix to Part I: Peace Theology: A Visual Model with Narrative Explanation......Page 154 Section A: A Church Perspective on Security, Safety, and the Common Good......Page 166 5. Partners in God's Passion......Page 168 6. Becoming Strategic Doves in a Land of Hawks: Alternative Security Through an Anabaptist Lens......Page 180 7. How Inclusive Is the Inclusive Church?......Page 196 8. Consider the Lilies: Embracing the Value of Vulnerability......Page 212 9. Anabaptist Theology and Issues of Human Security in Paraguay Today......Page 224 Section B: Seeking the Welfare of the City: The Global Context of the Church's Witness......Page 240 10. Public Peace, Justice, and Order in Ecumenical Conversation......Page 242 11. Recognizing the Other's Insecurity: Experiences of Christian-Muslim Relations in Indonesia......Page 262 12. The Power of Diaspora: Seeking the Peace of Palestine-Israel......Page 276 13. A "Weak Church" Seeks Security in a Violent Land: Experiences of the Colombian Mennonite Church......Page 292 14. Anabaptist Faith and "National Security"......Page 312 Section C: The Rule of Law, Public Order, and Human Rights......Page 330 15. A Mennonite Human Rights Paradigm?......Page 332 16. Ambiguous Legacy: The Peace Teaching, Speaking Truth to Power, and Mennonite Assimilation Through the Centuries......Page 350 17. Getting Stuck In: Anabaptist Involvement in Local Politics......Page 366 Section D: Practicing Wisdom in Public Systems......Page 388 18. Breaking the Uneasy Silence: Policing and the Peace Movement in Dialogue......Page 390 19. Just Policing and the Christian Call to Nonviolence......Page 406 20. Effective and Faithful Security Strategies......Page 424 CONCLUSION......Page 444 21. Continuing Lines of Inquiry......Page 446 Contributors......Page 452 About the Editors......Page 456 "At Peace and Unafraid explores principles and practices to guide Christians in living out Jesus's way of nonviolent love in societies that often do not share their convictions. Commissioned by Mennonite Central Committee, the authors ask what faithfulness to Christ means in the context of: the violent conflict in Colombia; church congregations responding to sexual offenders; the Palestinian/Israeli conflict; the post-9/11 challenges to democracy in the United States and Canada."--From back cover In Search Of Security : Wisdom And The Gospel Of Peace -- Seeking The Welfare Of The City : Essays On Public Peace, Justice, And Order. Edited By Duane K. Friesen And Gerald W. Schlabach. Includes Bibliographical References.