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From Pacifism to Peacemaking: Bridging the Gap in Historic Peace Churches

This text explores the evolution of beliefs surrounding peace, war, and nonviolence within historic peace churches, such as the Church of the Brethren, Mennonites, and Quakers. It discusses the active nature of pacifism, its roots in biblical teachings, and the influence of Anabaptist and Pietist traditions. The document further examines post-war shifts in church views on military service and the importance of social justice and peacemaking today. This evolving perspective emphasizes a commitment to nonviolence and sustained humanitarian efforts.

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From Pacifism to Peacemaking: Bridging the Gap in Historic Peace Churches

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  1. From Pacifism to Peacemaking Emily Reigart

  2. Brethren: Perspectives on Peace • Historic peace church • Evolution of views on peace, war, and nonviolence • Religious and social context

  3. Who are the historic peace churches? • Church of the Brethren • Mennonites • Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

  4. Pacifism is not passive It is an active concept and philosophy, while nonresistance and nonviolence are largely associated with the lack of certain actions.

  5. Key definitions • nonresistance • nonviolence • pacifism • peacemaker

  6. Biblical Basis • According to Richard Deats, “Biblical pacifism was at the heart of the radical witness of Mennonites, Quakers, and Brethren” (Brown, 2003:7).

  7. Anabaptist roots • 16th century Switzerland • Persecuted for defiance of church traditions • Belief in nonresistance (“Resist not evil”-Matthew 5:39)

  8. Pietism • Branched out from Lutheranism • Emphasized personal conviction over doctrine • Influenced Alexander Mack, John Wesley

  9. Evolution of beliefs Early Brethren Post WWI • Nonconformity • Condition of membership • Universal draft • “peace position” (1932) • “All war is sin” • 1935 Annual Conference • “Restatement Concerning War and Peace” • 1939 veterans allowed in fellowship - “Not in full accord”

  10. Evolution of beliefs, cont’d Post WWII Modern day • 1948 “all war is sin” • Individual conscience • “fellowship of prayer and material aid to all who suffer” • Mediation • Social justice

  11. Military implications • Conscientious objector, honorable discharge • WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, etc.

  12. Important peace organizations • 1980s: Christian Peacemaker teams • The Fellowship of Reconciliation • Center on Conscience and War

  13. Portrait of a People (Bowman: 2008) • Peacemaking and nonviolence, social justice are very important principles • All war is sin? • 12% served in the National Guard • If drafted, 32% would choose regular military service; 30% noncombatant military service; 31% alternative service

  14. Continuing the work of Jesus • Peacefully • Simply • Together

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