From Suffering to Solidarity: The Historical Seeds of Mennonite Interreligious, Interethnic and International Peacebuilding - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0718894316 ISBN 13: 9780718894313

Publisher: James Clarke and Co Ltd, 2016

Synopsis

Essays that explain how the historical experiences of Mennonites and Anabaptists have shaped their modern approach to conflict resolution and peacebuilding. As experiences of suffering continue to influence the responses of identity groups in the midst of violent conflict, a way to harness their narratives, stories, memories, and myths in transformative and non-violent ways is needed. From Suffering to Solidarity explores the historical seeds of Mennonite peacebuilding approaches and their application in violent conflicts around the world. The authors in this book first draw out the experiences of Anabaptists and Mennonites from the sixteenth-century origins through to the present that have shaped their approaches to conflict transformation and inspired new generations of Mennonites to engage in relief, development, and peacebuilding to alleviate the suffering of others whose experiences today reflect those of their ancestors. Authors then explore the various peacebuilding approaches, methods, and initiatives that have emerged from this Mennonite narrative and its preservation and dissemination in subsequent generations. Finally, the book examines how this combined historical sensitivity and resulting peacebuilding theory and practice have been applied in violent conflicts around the world, noting both successes and challenges. Ultimately, From Suffering to Solidarity attempts to answer a question: How can a robust historical infrastructure be used to inspire empathetic solidarity with the Other and shape nonviolent ways of transforming conflict to thrust a stick in the spokes of the cycle of violence?

About this title

About the Author

Andrew P. Klager is a Research Associate at the Anabaptist-Mennonite Centre for Faith and Learning, Trinity Western University, British Columbia, where he is also an Adjunct Professor in the history department, and teaches for the Centre for Mennonite Studies, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, British Columbia. He holds a PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Glasgow, focusing on sixteenth-century Anabaptist history, and is the author of several articles and book chapters on Anabaptist origins, history of Christianity, Mennonites and peace and conflict studies, and interreligious peacebuilding between Muslims and Christians.

Edition details

• Publisher: James Clarke and Co Ltd
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0718894316
• ISBN 13: 9780718894313
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 428
• Editor: Klager Andrew P.