Peacemakers: A Christian View of War and Peace

by Peter Dixon

Overview

Do you wonder what 'Blessed are the peacemakers' means in practice?

When is war a just war? Should outsiders intervene in civil wars, and how? How can Christians effectively engage in resolving conflict? How do we understand relational peacebuilding? How do we achieve reconciliation?

Peter Dixon offers a moral framework on which to base our thinking about war and peace, undergirded by a solid confidence in God's sovereignty, as we face the uncertainty of the real world.

'I don't think we need to take responsibility for righting all the wrongs of the world like Superman.' he says. 'It is enough for us to do what we can, when we can, where we can.'

Peacemakers evolves at another level too. As the author takes us down an icy Kabul street, or allows us to observe children celebrating a shaky peace in South Sudan, we experience first-hand the backcloth against which international peacebuilding takes place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780993508073
Publisher:	Cloudshill Press
Publication date:	03/01/2019
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	186
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)

Table of Contents

1 War in the twenty-first century

2 The Christian and war

3 Just War on Terror?

4 Intervening in conflict – the military way

5 Power and weakness

6 Intervening in armed conflict – the non-military way

7 Relational peace-building

8 Be reconciled

9 Effective Christian engagement in twenty-first century conflict

Editorial Reviews

05/20/2019

Dixon (Making Peace with Faith), former Royal Air Force pilot and CEO of conflict resolution organization Concordis International, argues that there is a Christian obligation to engage in “just” war and peace efforts in this strident study. The first half of the book introduces the author and the work of Concordis and briefly reviews Christian traditions around war and peace. Dixon tracks Christian thinking on war from early pacifist writers, through Augustine (who preached “the need for love as a motivation” for war), and ending in modern arguments for just war, such as Ian Durie’s Price for Peace. Rejecting the case for pacifism as unpersuasive, Dixon assesses the War on Terror and the Syrian civil war and argues that in both cases lives were saved through intervention and that even more could be done to prevent violence before bad actors attack. He then turns to peacemaking, detailing the Concordis approach to mediating conflict and fostering lasting peace through building relationships and reconciliation. Dixon’s film and podcast suggestions, as well as an extensive bibliography, add value for those interested in learning more about the history and context of international conflict intervention. Though much of the text reads like the mission statement of his company, this clear, instructive work will appeal to those who share Dixon’s religious beliefs and also be worthwhile for those seeking to understand the role of NGOs in global conflict intervention. (BookLife)

Publishers Weekly

‘Peter Dixon draws upon his considerable experience both in the military and in his work for conflict resolution and reconciliation around the world to produce a most compelling book. In it he delivers a focused analysis of the theories, precedent and implications involved in both military and non-military intervention in modern-day conflicts. He offers a lucid and considered examination of the Just War tradition as the basis to his candid appraisal of the success of conflict prevention and peace-building through non-military means. From this he sets out an unambiguous, balanced and thoughtful approach, which is not to judge, but to give pause for thought – an approach founded on a strong Christian ethos. As a work of extraordinary relevance in today’s troubled and volatile times, I commend his book which stands out for its superb clarity and towering integrity.’

Lord (Richard) Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, former Chief of the General Staff (head of the British Army)

A question often asked when discussing issues of war and peace is: “What should we actually do?” Peter’s book addresses this head on and provides helpful insights based not only on his personal experience of grappling with these issues as a professional with the Royal Air Force but also as a Christian. His biblical treatment of the subject acts as a gentle, wise and helpful companion as we try to make sense of the conflicts in our world. His book offers us hope, never making us feel guilty and providing a Christian framework to help us unpack complex issues as we reflect on uncomfortable questions.

Ram Gidoomal CBE Chairman, Traidcraft, Stewardship and Cotton Connect

An experienced Christian practitioner in the field of peacemaking, Peter Dixon has written a thought-provoking and engaging book that addresses issues surrounding war and peace in the 21st century. ‘Peacemakers’ begins with a fresh examination of the relevance of the Just War criteria, goes on to discuss non-military intervention and ends with an appraisal of the key area of reconciliation. He encourages Christians to engage in peacemaking, with a reminder that the Christian faith has the theme of reconciliation at its very heart. I commend this wide-ranging work which is well-grounded in the practical experience of Concordis International in Sudan.

Air Commodore Mark Leakey, former Director Armed Forces’ Christian Union

Peace involves more than an absence of conflict at a particular moment in time. Relationships, whether interpersonal, interethnic or international, are built slowly, destroyed quickly. Peter Dixon explains how trust can be re-established, confidence rekindled and understanding restored. Given the importance of peace in Christian priorities, I hope this book will be given the attention it deserves.

Michael Schluter CBE, Founder of the Jubilee Centre, Relationships Foundation and Relationships Global

From the Publisher