The essays in this book represent a contribution of the Historic Peace Churches (HPC) to the work of the World Council of Churches' Decade to Overcome Violence. They are divided into four sections: the first introduces the ecumenical context of this discussion, the history of HPC relations, and the globalised reality in which contemporary violence occurs. The second is written from three geo-social settings and engages the notion of globalisation from three viewpoints: biblical studies, theological ethics and historiography. The third section engages the gospel and our traditions within the contexts of HPC communities in North America, Nigeria and Colombia. And the fourth discusses resources in HPC tradition for action, reflection and critique in building a future of justice and peace. An appendix reproduces a statement prepared at a 2001 consultation of interested members of the Brethren, Quaker and Mennonite communities, entitled "Just Peace-making: Towards an Ecumenical Ethical Approach from the Perspective of the Historic Peace Churches. A Study Paper for Dialogue with the Wider Church".
Readership: Christian social thought and activity; globalisation; justice; peace churches; peace-making; power; reconciliation.