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Curriculum helps congregations discuss international relations

Oct. 17, 2005

NOTE: A photograph is available at http://umns.umc.org.

By Linda Bloom*

NEW YORK (UMNS) - "Should the United States be the 21st century version
of ancient Rome?"

So begins an essay on U.S. Christians and the issue of multilateralism
by Jan Love, a longtime professor of international studies and current
chief executive of the Women's Division, United Methodist Board of
Global Ministries.

Love's essay is part of "For the Peace of the World: A Christian
Curriculum on International Relations," released at the end of September
by the National Council of Churches.

As Love points out in her essay, factors such as the end of the Cold War
- allowing the United States to be the dominant military power as well
as top economic power - and the increasing recognition of globalization
are part of any discussion about the U.S. role in international
relations.

"We who are citizens of the most powerful nation on earth need urgently
to figure out how these circumstances affect us at home and abroad as
well as what impact they have on others across the globe," she writes.

Antonios Kireopoulos, the NCC's executive for international affairs,
edited the 87-page book, which he calls "an exciting milestone" for the
council.

"The curriculum addresses some of the most complex issues facing us in
these difficult times, and it does so by bringing the moral and
religious imperatives of our Christian faith to the analysis of these
issues," he says.

Study sessions are offered on six topics: Is American Number One?; Fear,
Security and Love: Is America God's Favorite Nation?; Poverty in a Rich
World; Self-Interest and World Citizenship; and Preventing War with
Peace.

"The curriculum does not seek to impose one particular perspective,"
Kireopoulos says. "Instead, it seeks to encourage within faith
communities a meaningful discussion on international relations."

Several congregations from the Protestant and Orthodox traditions tested
an initial draft of the curriculum, which was rewritten based upon the
results of the field tests.

Love believes the study guide will provoke needed discussion among
Christians.

"Since the end of the Cold War, the United States has been trying to
define its role in the world, a matter of considerable debate," she
notes. "In contrast to the Cold War era, no new foreign policy doctrine
for our country has yet captured the hearts and minds of the citizenry."

Using the curriculum, church members can talk about the role of the
United States in the world both as citizens and people of faith. "The
study guide helps open up questions for discussion without prescribing
specific policies or frameworks and thus invites Christians to engage
the debate," explains Love, who served on the project's advisory
committee.

Jim Winkler, chief executive of the United Methodist Board of Church and
Society, says he hopes "many thousands of our local churches will make
use of this solidly biblically-based material. The authors are
top-notch, outstanding experts. This curriculum will help Christians as
we seek to live holy lives in a confusing and troubled world."

While "For the Peace of the World" is designed for adult religious
education classes, it could be used by college or high school classes as
well, Kireopoulous says.

Grants from the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, the Ford Foundation,
the Carnegie Corp. and the Tides Foundation provided funding for the
curriculum project.

Bishop Mvume Dandala, a Methodist from South Africa and chief executive
of the All Africa Council of Churches, and the Rev. Karen Hamilton,
chief executive of the Canadian Council of Churches, served as
co-chairpersons of the project's advisory committee.

The curriculum can be ordered from Friendship Press by calling toll free
(800) 889-5733 or sending an e-mail to RBray@gbgm-umc.org. Details are
also available at www.ncccusa.org/peace/.

*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in New York.

News media contact: Linda Bloom, New York, (646) 369-3759 or
newsdesk@umcom.org.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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