AXIS OF PEACE
Christian Faith in Times of Violence and War
S.Wesley Ariarajah
WCC Risk Book 2004 £?? ISBN 2-8254-1394-1
Reviewed by Murdoch MacKenzie
With my 843rd e-mail from the Stop the War Campaign having just arrived; a marathon sitting of Parliament to debate the controversial terror laws having taken place a few months ago;the Cabinet Secretary disclosing that Britain went to war against Iraq on just one solitary page of legal advice;the recent London bombings; and the sudden death of Robin Cook reminding us of his masterly speech in Parliament when he resigned from the Cabinet over the Iraq War as he concluded “It is for that reason, and for that reason alone, and with a heavy heart, that I resign from the government.”; in the face of all this what better could one do than to read Wesley Ariarajah’s Axis of Peace ?
Recognising that searching and divisive issues remain in the aftermath of the war in Iraq he tackles such questions as: What does the Bible teach about war and violence, peace and peacemaking? Are there “just wars”? What constitutes patriotism when one’s nation is under attack? Is there theological justification for armed struggle in pursuit of liberation? How can hatred be overcome so that reconciliation may be achieved?
Beginning with his own experience of violence in Sri Lanka and reflecting particularly on the war in Iraq, rather than pushing his own position, Ariarajah’s book is a tool for biblical and theological reflection on the issues raised by war and violence. It aims quite specifically at enabling discussion and dialogue between Christians of different viewpoints regarding the question: “We have won the war, but can we win the peace?” Attempting to answer this involves detailed reflection on “just wars”, the relationship between church and state, Christian support for elected governments, what the Bible says about war and violence and the role of religions in all of this.
Rather than seeking to identify an “Axis of Evil” we are invited by Ariarajah to seek an Axis of Peace the coordinates of which are justice, reconciliation and non-violence. This book is a must for anyone wishing to untangle the knotty problems associated with war and violence, especially those found in the Bible and in various religions, as well as those related to democracy, patriotism and multiculturalism.
Murdoch MacKenzie
Former Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes
Christian Faith in Times of Violence and War
S.Wesley Ariarajah
WCC Risk Book 2004 £?? ISBN 2-8254-1394-1
Reviewed by Murdoch MacKenzie
With my 843rd e-mail from the Stop the War Campaign having just arrived; a marathon sitting of Parliament to debate the controversial terror laws having taken place a few months ago;the Cabinet Secretary disclosing that Britain went to war against Iraq on just one solitary page of legal advice;the recent London bombings; and the sudden death of Robin Cook reminding us of his masterly speech in Parliament when he resigned from the Cabinet over the Iraq War as he concluded “It is for that reason, and for that reason alone, and with a heavy heart, that I resign from the government.”; in the face of all this what better could one do than to read Wesley Ariarajah’s Axis of Peace ?
Recognising that searching and divisive issues remain in the aftermath of the war in Iraq he tackles such questions as: What does the Bible teach about war and violence, peace and peacemaking? Are there “just wars”? What constitutes patriotism when one’s nation is under attack? Is there theological justification for armed struggle in pursuit of liberation? How can hatred be overcome so that reconciliation may be achieved?
Beginning with his own experience of violence in Sri Lanka and reflecting particularly on the war in Iraq, rather than pushing his own position, Ariarajah’s book is a tool for biblical and theological reflection on the issues raised by war and violence. It aims quite specifically at enabling discussion and dialogue between Christians of different viewpoints regarding the question: “We have won the war, but can we win the peace?” Attempting to answer this involves detailed reflection on “just wars”, the relationship between church and state, Christian support for elected governments, what the Bible says about war and violence and the role of religions in all of this.
Rather than seeking to identify an “Axis of Evil” we are invited by Ariarajah to seek an Axis of Peace the coordinates of which are justice, reconciliation and non-violence. This book is a must for anyone wishing to untangle the knotty problems associated with war and violence, especially those found in the Bible and in various religions, as well as those related to democracy, patriotism and multiculturalism.
Murdoch MacKenzie
Former Ecumenical Moderator in Milton Keynes
