"The Naked Anabaptist" Core Conviction #7

This week, we come to the seventh and final core conviction that Stuart Murray discusses in his book “The Naked Anabaptist.” Murray says “Peace is at the heart of the gospel. As followers of Jesus in a divided and violent world, we are committed to finding nonviolent alternatives and to learning how to make peace between individuals, within and among churches, in society, and between nations.”[1]

From the earliest beginnings of the Church of the Brethren there has been a commitment to nonviolence. While it is true that the exact way this has been addressed has shifted over the years, it is still a core element to the Brethren witness. Our denomination has as one catchphrase “Continuing the work of Jesus: Peacefully, Simply, Together.” We continue to sponsor the group On Earth Peace, which works to promote peacemaking around the world.

Within our own congregation, peace and peacemaking continues to have an important place for us. Our recent celebration of the International Day of Prayer for Peace on a Sunday in September highlights but one time that this continues to be an important part of our witness. I would be interested to hear how others in our congregation see this focus on peace and peacemaking playing out in the life of our congregation.

Next week, I’ll conclude my overview of “The Naked Anabaptist.”

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[1] Stuart Murray, The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith, Scottdale, PA: Herald Press 2010, 181.