Christian Peacebuilding: Accessible on Both Sides of Theological & Political Aisles?
by Bryan Carey
Over four weeks in the States while visiting family and friends, I was invited to preach or speak at a different church each weekend, in addition to speaking at several Christian small groups. The biggest takeaway that I have is how much American Christians are longing to hear about peacebuilding, and regardless of high levels of skepticism about how peacebuilding functions or whether it can be successful, Christians are interested to learn more and eager to put peacebuilding insights and skills into practice.
A couple of the churches and groups I spoke with leaned politically and/or theologically left, and a couple leaned right, so it was an experience that was both quite fun and also kept me on my toes. Many people are very curious about the primary shifts that need to occur to speak in different theological or political spaces, and while I would like to do more work to get better at this, I would say that, in short:
Christians leaning left are most concerned about issues of justice and are sensitive to wounds and harm;
Christians leaning right are most concerned about faithfulness and that our motivations are deeply rooted in our allegiance to God and commitment to follow Jesus, in ways that are consistent with the Bible and Church traditions.
Fortunately, these two foci are not in competition with one another, and by showing a deep commitment to follow Jesus in the work to heal harms, most Christians on both sides of the aisle are excited for how peace-oriented theology and peacebuilding can bring coherence to our allegiance to Jesus and faith practices as well as bring healing and wholeness to each of us as individuals and also to our communities.
Peacebuilding has deep theological roots in the Bible and Church traditions, so right-leaning Christians are excited to discover peacebuilding as a way to live faithfully in our hyper-diverse world. Peace-oriented frameworks are also liberative for many Christians on the left, so when justice work leaves them angry and on the edge of burnout, peacebuilding provides a theological scaffolding that helps them be attentive to self-care, to God’s mercy and peace, and to a trajectory that goes beyond justice alone to the flourishing right relationships and just peace of God’s shalom.
So YES, peacebuilding is for BOTH sides of the aisle!
