wfn.org | First Person: 'Stepping stones,' not 'stumbling blocks' to peace

[Beth Hawn <BethAH@mbm.org>]

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August 9, 2000
Mennonite Board of Missions
Beth Hawn
Communications Coordinator
PO Box 370
Elkhart, IN 46515-0370
(219) 294-7523 phone
(219) 294-8669 fax
http://www.MBM.org

First Person: 'Stepping stones,' not 'stumbling blocks' to peace

ELKHART, Ind. (MBM) - If we are honest, we have to admit it.  "Religious" 
people, including Christians at times, have not always contributed to making

our planet a more peaceful place to live.  In fact, when they are at their
worst, 
religious folk actually pick fights, condone injustice and support 
oppressive systems, making life downright miserable for the masses they 
manage to hold in their violent sway. 

It is indeed a sad commentary on religion when people conclude that 
the world would be a better, more peaceful place without it.  Ex-Beatle 
John Lennon expressed just that sentiment in lyrics penned at the peak of 
the Vietnam conflict. 

		Imagine there's no countries
		It isn't hard to do
		Nothing to kill or die for
		And no religion too
		Imagine all the people
		Living life in peace ... 

This stinging indictment recalls for us the words of the Apostle Paul 
addressed to the Jewish community of his day.  "You take pride in the Law," 
he wrote, "but you disobey the Law and bring shame to God.  As it is
written, 
'You have made foreigners say insulting things about God.'"i 

When we as God's people speak and act in such a way that "foreigners say 
insulting things about God," we are as far from our divine calling as we
will 
ever get.  Instead of being light, salt and a blessing to the nations, we
make 
it impossible for people to recognize and embrace God's reconciling 
overtures on their behalf.  Instead of serving as stepping stones to lead 
people toward Jesus, we become stumbling blocks along the path, tripping 
up weary travelers and discouraging them from ever discovering Christ's 
healing and hope that is theirs to be experienced and enjoyed. 

In a new statement, A Theology of Mission for Today, published here at 
Mennonite Board of Missions, 10 themes are highlighted that can guide 
us as a church in faithfully living and sharing the reconciling gospel of 
Jesus in today's broken world.  The statement puts God's peacemaking 
intentions for the world at the very center of the church's reason for
being.ii

The methods used by the church in announcing Jesus must be consistent 
with the gospel message of peace, according to the statement.  "If the 
church is to have any integrity in its witness to the world, then Jesus' way

must become our way.  His manner, our model.  His service, our style.  
His loving compassion, our lifelong commitment." 

The church has never been more challenged in its witness to Christ's 
transforming way of peace.  I invite you to write or call MBM for a free 
copy of this new booklet, to study it, to reflect on it. 
				* * *

James R. Krabill
SAMPLE AVAILABLE

i Romans 2:23-24
ii Ephesians 3:10, 20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

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