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Put Away Your Sword
Gospel Nonviolence in a Violent World
Edited by Michael L. Budde
Series: Studies in World Catholicism
Imprint: Cascade Books
What does it mean to follow the Prince of Peace in a world plagued by war, violence, and killing? Can the foundational convictions of Christianity, and the experiences of Christians around the world, contribute to a more adequate practice of the faith in contemporary times on matters of war, violence, and peacemaking?
This volume addresses these important questions with contributions from Christian scholars and practitioners from across the Majority World (including El Salvador, Brazil, Kenya, and the Philippines) and from the United States and Europe. They include proponents of Christian pacifism and just war theory, advocates for varieties of "just peacemaking" frameworks, and people pursuing slow, modest steps toward reconciling enemies without the use of overarching theoretical frameworks. What holds them together is a sense that the world and the church would benefit from a robust and gospel-based commitment to nonviolence as an alternative to lethal business as usual in addressing conflicts great and small.
The topics they consider include constructive aspects of a Christian theology of nonviolence; case studies of gospel nonviolence and pastoral work from violent conflicts around the world; women as victims of violence and makers of peace; and theopolitical questions of just war, armed intervention, and Christian nonviolence.
Michael L. Budde is professor of Catholic studies and political science, and senior research professor in the Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology (CWCIT) at DePaul University in Chicago. He is the author and editor of numerous books, including Foolishness to Gentiles: Essays on Empire, Nationalism, and Discipleship; The Borders of Baptism: Identities, Allegiances, and the Church; and The (Magic) Kingdom of God: Christianity and Global Culture Industries.
“The proper Christian attitude to violence is a burning contemporary question. Here proponents from different continents, conditions, and disciplines highlight its complexity at a practical as well as the theoretical level. The ‘Just War Theory’ is given particular prominence, as is the more recent ‘Responsibility to Protect.’ Gender dimensions are given due weight, with related realities like exploitation and subjugation in all forms, all in the light of the teaching of Jesus. A superb and timely debate.”
—Paul Gifford, professor emeritus of religion, SOAS, University of London
“Authors of the outstanding articles included in Put Away Your Sword bring deep peace-building experience and critical questions to the conversation about gospel nonviolence. This book makes a significant contribution to our growing understanding of the gift and potential of active nonviolence for promoting just peace and healing our broken world.”
—Marie Dennis, senior program director, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative
“Gospel nonviolence is most difficult when seen from the context of present sociopolitical exclusion, structural-lethal violence, and deep personal wounds that the world inflicts on its victims. Yet the Christian is called to respond in a radical way like Jesus. Put Away Your Sword is a contemporary Christian response to this challenge. It is a praiseworthy attempt to painfully grapple with the theoretical and practical complexities of present conflicts and the radical demands of the gospel.”
—Daniel Franklin Pilario, director of research, Adamson University
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