Response paper to Peacebuilding in Christianity (Peace and Violence in Religion)

Peacebuilding in Christianity is more nuanced in the morality perspective than theological. From the theological perspective, many different interpretations about the non violent teaching from Jesus and the tradition of holy war arose. But in morality, they agreed that violence is forbidden.

 The interpretation of Peacebuilding in Christian actually faced the two ambiguous things : first is from the non violent action and teaching from Jesus. Second is many biblical trajectory shows violence, especially in the holy war tradition. It is shown also from the history of Christianity when they declared holy war for Jewish and Muslim.

 Theodore J. Koontz grouped the school of Christian non violence into 3 big groups ; Pacifism, Abolitionism and Non violence resistance. He decided to give more explanation in Pacifism, because of the closer position with Christian history and teaching. It seemed that Koontz tended to make Pacifism as a ideal type of Christian non violence.

 For me, the pacifism is more powerful for Peacebuilding. The Christianity obliges themselves as a project of peace without any reserve. This position requires for building peace not only within themselves, the Christian, but also for every people, whether they are from different religion or atheist. For me, this is the huge source for Peacebuilding because they can solve their problem with theological understanding.

 The admission of humanity is the basic of Peacebuilding. When Koontz tried to give example from Pacifism school on Christian nonviolence, it will be good news for Peacebuilding which has no requirement except the equal position as a human in front of the God. As a Muslim, I do appreciate this.