Christians as Peacemakers (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B): Revision Note

The role of Christians in peacemaking

Christian peacemaking

• Christians are called to be peacemakers, following the teachings and example of Jesus

  • This includes personal peace (forgiving and reconciling with others) and promoting global peace (working against war and promoting justice)

• The New Testament includes many references to peace

  • For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9)

  • Jesus’s teachings encourage forgiving others, rejecting revenge (turning the other cheek), and loving one’s enemies, emphasising peace and reconciliation

• Christians can work for peace both directly and indirectly

  • They can work indirectly by donating money to charitable causes, holding protests and demonstrations against conflicts, and working to ensure that people have equal human rights

  • They can work directly by working with or for organisations which offer relief to war torn countries

• Various Christian denominations and organisations actively work to promote peace, resolve conflicts, and support victims of war; examples include The Quakers and Christian Aid

Christian teachings about peacemaking

Christian teachings about peacemaking

• Christians believe that justice is important, because all people are equal in the eyes of God

• Christians have a duty to care for people and try to guide them to do what is right, and also repent when they have sinned

• Christians believe that God is fair and forgiving and that they should live their lives the same way

• Christians will follow the example of Jesus and the teachings of the Bible, which promote acting justly and forgiving those who have wronged us

• While Christianity promotes peace, it also provides guidance for dealing with conflicts and wars

  • The concept of a Just War outlines conditions under which war may be morally acceptable

  • Principles of a Just War include it being a last resort, having a just cause, being declared by a proper authority, and having a good probability of success

  • However, a section of Christians adopt pacifism, rejecting war and the use of violence under any circumstances

  • Many Christians advocate for non-violent protest as a means of peacemaking and pursuing justice, following Jesus’s teachings and example

  • Prominent Christians like Martin Luther King Jr. used non-violent methods to challenge discrimination and promote social justice

Christianity and the importance of justice, forgiveness and reconciliation

What is forgiveness?

• Forgiveness is when a person stops feeling hurt for something that has happened to them

  • Many religious and non-religious people believe that forgiveness and reconciliation are important to allow criminals to be reconciled with the community

  • If no effort was made to forgive or reconcile criminals, they may feel more isolated and be more likely to reoffend

  • Some societies offer opportunities for criminals to re-enter society, through schemes giving ex-offenders jobs and qualifications

  • Many people believe that restorative justice helps the criminals and their victims to understand each other and help with the reconciliation process

  • Finding peace through forgiveness and reconciliation and resolving conflict is important for Christians

  • Although most religious people do believe that individuals should be punished for their crimes and receive justice

What is reconciliation?

• Reconciliation is bringing people together that were previously in conflict to make peace

  • Sometimes this can happen when there is a personal conflict between friends, family members or associates

  • It can also happen between countries when there has been war or the threat of conflict

  • Sometimes, an intermediary is brought in to try and mediate conflicting parties to achieve a peaceful outcome 

  • Reconciliation is also a sacrament within the Roman Catholic tradition and relates to the individual asking God for forgiveness through confession

What is justice?

• Justice is the idea of each person getting what they deserve, and maintaining what is right

  • Christians think that God is just and that he treats and judges people fairly as he created everyone equally

  • Justice leads to a fairer society, if people feel they are treated fairly and equally, there is more chance of peace

  • In Christianity, the parable of the sheep and goats also shows that God will treat people in the same way that they have treated others when they are judged after their life

Forgiveness, Reconciliation and justice in Christianity

• Christianity is based upon the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, justice and agape love

• Christians believe that the power of forgiveness and love can lead to reconciliation and the ending of conflict

• Christianity is clear about views on forgiveness, reconciliation and justice, and the Bible provides teachings on this for Christians to follow:

  • Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation

  • When Peter asked if he should forgive his brother up to 7 times, Jesus told him he should forgive him 70 x 7 times (Matthew 18:22)

  • Jesus says, ‘If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses' (Matthew 6:14–15)

  • If Christians expect God's forgiveness, they must also forgive others

  • The Lord's Prayer states that Christians should forgive others

  • Jesus told people to seek reconciliation in any disagreements they had before offering a gift to God at the temple

• All Christians believe that justice is important because God is just and Christians should follow His example

• Justice relates to fairness and the fair thing to do is to try and forgive others and aim for reconciliation over conflict

• God shows that He is just by being merciful and the expectation is for humans to do the same

• Many Christians believe that if someone repents their sins and asks for forgiveness, then they will be shown mercy

The Work of Christian Aid

The work of Christian charities

• Some religious charities work to help achieve peace

• They campaign for help for groups in conflict to rebuild their relationships, or to assist people in war-torn countries

• Within Christianity these groups include Christian Aid, Pax Christi and Tearfund

The work of Christian Aid

• Christian Aid is an international development organisation that works to address the root causes of poverty and injustice

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• Its efforts to work for peace are embedded in its broader mission of promoting social justice, human rights, and equality

• Christian Aid's work for peace is grounded in the teachings of Christianity, which emphasise love, justice, reconciliation, and the pursuit of peace

  • Jesus' teachings in the Bible, such as ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matthew 5:9), are a central inspiration

  • Christian Aid views peace as a vital expression of these values that must be sought both personally and for the good of society

• Christian Aid engages in initiatives that aim to prevent conflict and reduce violence, particularly in regions affected by war and political instability

  • The organisation works with local communities, governments, and peace builders to encourage dialogue, understanding, and non-violent conflict resolution 

• Christian Aid works for the protection of human rights, including the rights of marginalised and vulnerable groups

  • This often includes speaking out against oppressive regimes, advocating for peace agreements, and lobbying governments and international bodies for a fairer and more peaceful world

• Christian Aid provides support to local peace builders that work to foster reconciliation and healing in post-conflict communities

  • This can involve funding, training, and capacity-building for those leading peace efforts at the community level

• By addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and access to resources, Christian Aid works toward creating the social and economic conditions that contribute to long-term peace

  • They believe that peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, opportunity, and dignity for all people

• In areas affected by violence, Christian Aid provides emergency relief such as food, shelter, medical care, and psychological support

  • Their presence in conflict zones also creates opportunities for dialogue and the rebuilding of relationships between divided communities

• Christian Aid funds and implements projects that help communities heal and rebuild after conflict

  • These projects often include education on non-violence, building trust between those who were in conflict, and promoting peace moving forward