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Brethren Peace and Nonresistance Testimony

There is much lively debate about the historic and contemporary Brethren commitment to peace and what form it will take in our time. Here are some contributions for your study and reflection. May they challenge you and touch your heart, that we might together come to life as a people of peace in this time. Send comments and suggestions for additions to Matt Guynn using our contact form -- Click here.

Question to Annual Meeting, 1865 (Civil War):
"Can a brother be held as a member of the church who will, when put in the army, take up arms and aim to shed the blood of his fellowman?"

Answer: "He cannot."

Cited in D. Durnbaugh, "The Brethren and Nonresistance," in The Pacifist Impulse in Historical Perspective, Harvey L. Dyck, ed. (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1996), 131.


Articles

Dale Brown: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand"

Andrew Loomis: "Prophetic Pragmatism"


Background on Brethren Belief

The Brethren Revival Fellowship provides five essays on Brethren peace testimony:
  • The Historic Brethren Peace Position
  • The Christian and Nonresistance
  • Interpreting the Way of Peace
  • Blessed Are the Peacemakers
  • From Biblical Nonresistance to "Peace"
    • Ronald Gordon: "Pacifism in the Mold"


    Documents from International Historic Peace Church Consultation
    Bienenberg, Switzerland, June 25-29, 2001

    Agenda & Papers

    Letter to Historic Peace Churches and the ecumenical Christian fellowship

    Study paper on an ecumenical ethical approach from the perspective of the Historic Peace Churches


    Church of the Brethren General Board

    Resolution on the Events and Aftermath of September 11, 2001


    Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Statements:

    1967: The Church, the State and Christian Citizenship

    1968: A Statement to Government Leaders of the United States Government

    1969: Annual Conference Statement Obedience to God and Civil Disobedience

    1970: Amendments to the Church of the Brethren Statement on War

    1977: Statement, Justice and Nonviolence

    1991: Statement, Peacemaking: The Calling of God's People in History

    1994: Statement on Violence in North America

    1996: Statement, Nonviolence and Humanitarian Intervention

    More Statements of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference
    http://www.brethren.org/ac/ac_statements/INDEX.HTM


    Last Updated: January 28, 2002


    Contact Seeking Peace

    Matt Guynn Matt Guynn, Coordinator
    Seeking Peace
    609 W. Main Street
    Richmond, IN 47374

    Phone: 765-962-6234


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