Advance Comment
Seeking Cultures of Peace
A Peace Church Conversation

"In these essays the Historic Peace Churches rise magnificently to the challenges of globalization. With historical nuance and political sophistication, these authors make a compelling case for effective nonviolent action. The message shines through that all Christians must make peace-building their first priority. It can and must change the face of global society."
—Lisa Sowle Cahill, Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College

"In a post-September 11 world dominated by fear and violence, the Historic Peace Church tradition has an essential contribution to make to the wider church. The essays in Seeking Cultures of Peace offer that contribution, both theologically and in practical examples. I commend the book to all who are seeking to discern a faithful response as Christian peacemakers in this new era."
—Jim Wallis, Editor-in-Chief, Sojourners

"These essays, representing ‘free church’ or ‘left-wing Reformation’ viewpoints, make a welcome contribution to the ecumenical movement. No historic tradition can fail to learn from them. They not only indicate how far we all still need to tavel together so that the church might truly be one but also offer encouraging signs for the future. An interesting bellwether—for which the evidence here is mixed—will be the degree to which the traditions represented can begin to accommodate Nicaea and Chalcedon so as to move closer to the predominant communions of the church."
—George Hunsinger, McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary

"The Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV) calls upon churches to engage in theological reflection to overcome the spirit, logic, and practice of violence. Theological conversation is one of the specific activities the DOV invites the churches to engage in. This is precisely what the Historic Peace Churches were doing when they met at Bienenberg, Switzerland, in June 2001, just six months into the Decade. The World Council of Churches warmly welcomes such initiatives, and I am happy that the contents of this particular conversation are documented in the present collection of essays."
—Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary Elect, World Council of Churches, in the Foreword

"Dialogue among Historic Peace Churches since the 1950s has not kept up with developments worldwide and within the ecumenical movement. Meanwhile, justice, peace, and nonviolence have become top agenda for churches, faith communities, and movements. As this book documents, the resuming conversation among Quakers, Church of the Brethren, and Mennonites—and their joint consultation with the ecumenical movement—is an essential contribution to ‘seeking reconciliation and peace’ within the framework of the Decade to Overcome Violence, which is a continuation of the conciliar process."
—Hansulrich Gerber , Coordinator , Decade to Overcome Violence , World Council of Churches

Seeking Cultures of Peace orders:

• Cascadia Publishing House Online Order Form
• Cascadia, Herald Press, and other order options
• Credit card orders through Seeking Cultures of Peace page, MennoLink Online Bookstore.