Be Reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20d): Demoting Violence and Promoting Peace

Abstract

This paper intends to address the issue of violence from Pauline perspectives in order to understand critically the pastoral letter of John Cardinal Njue on reconciliation (Lent 2008). It proposes some ethical virtues that can contribute to stop or reduce violence, and promote peace more effectively. To paraphrase Roger Burggraeve (1991), this contribution addresses the need of a reflective peace ethic. From a concrete historical context, the reflective peace ethic looks for insights and justifications on behalf of Christian and human peace promotion activities, based on experiences and critical arguments that are universally accessible and communicable.