Overcoming Violence in Asia: The Role of the Church in Seeking Cultures of Peace

These chapters are rooted in a World Council of Churches conference of Historic Peace Churches in Asia that took place in Solo, Indonesia. There, as part of the WCC's Decade to Overcome Violence, Asian Christians engaged interfaith diversity, violence, and radical pluralism in Asia. Konrad Raiser, World Council of Churches General Secretary, 1992-2003, observes in the Foreword that "This volume is another example of the very creative contribution that the Historic Peace Churches are continuing to make to the ecumenical search for reconciliation and peace. For teachers and students engaged in developing a new approach to an ecumenical ethics of peace and for those committed to overcoming violence in their local context, the book provides valuable insights and welcome encouragement." Ruthann Knechel Johansen, President, Bethany Theological Seminary, says that "Courageous and imaginative contributors from Indonesia, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Australia prophetically and poetically call people of all religious faiths to listen to voices from the margins of the world's societies, to embrace with wonder and gratitude the rich diversity of human cultures and religious pluralism, and to work tirelessly and joyfully for God's shalom, salam, and peace with justice throughout the earth." Fernando Enns, VU University Amsterdam, Chair for Theology and Ethics, Faculty of Theology, points out that "Historic Peace Churches–Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Society of Friends–have kept alive the witness for peace with justice within the global ecumenical familiy of churches, not only during the past Decade to Overcome Violence. This volume presents another strong contribution to the ongoing search for a credible and faithful Christian presence in the midst of religious pluralism, in face of religious radicalism and the violence of poverty."