Course Description:
This course will explore a variety of perspectives on peace theology and social justice by drawing on examples and lessons from the Scriptures, Christian history, and real life circumstances. We will explore themes such as pacifism and nonviolence, ‘just’ peacemaking vs. just war, love of enemies, reconciliation, and inner peace, among others as they appear in various theological categories.
The course will seek to answer questions such as:
- What’s the connection between our theology (what we believe) and how we behave?
- How do the teachings, life, and example of Jesus exhibit nonviolence and what do they tell us about how we can be agents of peace?
- What is the peace import of Christology, Trinitarian theology, pneumatology, atonement, soteriology, ecclesiology, sacramentology, eschatology, and judgment and afterlife?
- How can peace and justice coexist?
- What is the peace import of the social justice considerations in this course?
- How can I incorporate a concern for social justice into my everyday life?
Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
- Recognize and articulate the various themes in peace theology and become aware of their application in day-to-day life and to larger global challenges;
- Identify and express how a peace theology is transposed into a number of theological categories, including Christology, eschatology, atonement, soteriology, ecclesiology, and sacramentology;
- Evaluate the strengths and limitations of a theology of peace, while recognizing the theological appropriateness of nonviolence, peacemaking, reconciliation, and forgiveness;
- Understand the broader spectrum of perspectives on peace theology, lesser and necessary evil, pacifism, love of enemies, and peacemaking;
- Evaluate the general gospel narrative, trajectory, and exhortation to the Church as exhibited in the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus of Nazareth;
- Understand better the role of the inner life and one’s transformation on the commitment to love our enemies and become peacemakers;
- Integrate these peace theology perspectives and resulting convictions into peacebuilding and conflict transformation in practical ways as foundational directives;
- Identify forms of injustice in this world, related issues and challenges, and integrate ways to address these injustices from a Christian gospel-centred perspective;
- Understand more clearly the connection and tension between peace and justice.
