Methodists United for Peace with Justice

Home > Theology of War and Peace

The 20th century was one of the bloodiest in human history with two world wars and numerous smaller wars. War continues unabated in the early years of the 21st century, ranging from terrorist attacks, civil wars, and international conflicts. Claims are made for the legitimacy of preemptive war.

The 20th century also saw the emergence of nonviolent responses to oppression and armed aggression. This occurred in India, the U.S. civil rights movement, in Eastern Europe throwing off the shackles of Communism, in South Africa, the Philippines, and elsewhere. This experience offers the 21st century a tested alternative to military combat.

Study and Dialogue

At this juncture persons of religious faith have an opportunity to freshly examine their beliefs and theology on matters of war and peace. Within Methodism we are long overdue for this kind of theological discussion. Methodists United for Peace with Justice, an unofficial association of laity and clergy, is encouraging this process through a four-step approach: on-line resource material (based on the Wesleyan Quadrilateral), study groups, a web-based forum, and a conference.

Discipleship

Within the United Methodist Church during the current quadrennium the Council of Bishops is focusing on the theme “Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World”. Jesus taught his disciples, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” (Mt. 5:9) He further instructed, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:45) Therefore, this project will consider how we as disciples in the 21st century can become peacemakers for the transformation of the world.

Methodist tradition has a tool known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral that provides a basis for studying and gaining greater understanding of Christian faith. It encompasses Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. In this project we are using the Quadrilateral as a tool for studying the theology of war and peace. On this website we are posting articles on different aspects of the Quadrilateral and offering references to other sources of information.
Read more....

We encourage the formation of study groups on the theology of war and peace throughout the United Methodist Church: in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe. This can occur in local congregations, on college campuses, in seminaries, within annual conferences, and elsewhere.

We offer background material for study groups, organized according to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. Groups may also want to use the study guide, In Search of Security from the United Methodist Council of Bishops.

Click here for A Invitation to Participate that you can share with others.

To extend discussion of In Search of Security and the Theology of War and Peace, we encourage study groups and our members to participate in a Web-based Forum.

Read more.....

Methodists United for Peace with Justice sponsored a conference on "Building a Wesleyan Theology of Peace for the 21st Century" in San Francisco, California from September 28 to October 1, 2006. The host congregation, Temple United Methodist Church, was cosponsor.

The purpose of the conference was to bring together church leaders, seminarians, peace practitioners, local clergy, and lay people to sit together and think prayerfully about a Wesleyan theology of peace. As a framework, the conference used the Wesleyan Quadrilateral: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience.

Read more.....