Cox, Faith-Based Reconciliation

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Brian Cox, Faith-Based Reconciliation: A Moral Vision That Transforms People and Societies. Xlibris, 2007.

Referenced in: Conflict Education, Biblical Visions of Peacemaking/Reconciliation

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

This is a dense, rich look into interfaith and ethnic conflict or other situations with deeply entrenched alternative moral visions such as nationalism, liberal democracy/free market capitalism, or militant Islam. The authors focus applications on the current collision course between the two ideologies of American primacy and global Jihad. Cox uses his theological training as an Episcopal priest to articulate a vision of faith-based reconciliation in eight core values (17-18):

  1. The pluralistic vision of community: We seek unity in the midst of diversity.
  2. Compassionate inclusion: We seek to overcome hostility by the practice of unconditional love, even toward one’s enemies.
  3. Peacemaking: We seek the peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals and groups.
  4. Social Justice: We seek the common good through transformation of the community.
  5. Forgiveness: We exercise forgiveness and repentance as individuals and communities to create the possibility of a better future together.
  6. Healing: We seek to heal the wounds of history through acknowledgement of suffering and injustice.
  7. Acknowledging God’s sovereignty: This is the bedrock of the faith-based perspective.
  8. Atonement with God: Ultimately, reconciliation is the process of finding peace with God and becoming a person of faith.

He continues:

At the heart of these eight core values [is] the Abrahamic concept of God’s sovereignty or rule over societies and nations. In the New Testament Jesus taught that God’s sovereign rule would establish the common good, namely, a society based on respect for the dignity of every human being, the economics of compassion, the politics of love, the power of truth, and stewardship embodied in voluntary sacrifice. This was an ancient, but radical moral vision in its day and it still retains its revolutionary, transformational character in our day. It challenges people of faith in every age to a fundamental reorientation of their personhood and to the implementation of this vision in their societies. The apostle Paul called this radical moral vision “reconciliation.” (17-18)

Regardless of the context in which one experiences conflict, whether interpersonal, congregational, national, or global, this is a refreshing and well-articulated vision of biblical reconciliation. One may need to refine it at various points, but it is still one of the best expressions available.

From the Publisher

FAITH-BASED RECONCILIATION A Moral Vision That Transforms People and Societies Written by an experienced practitioner in the field of faith-based diplomacy who has worked in some of the world’s roughest neighborhoods, this book begins with the premise that moral vision plays a key role in shaping individuals and communities.

It’s primary message is that the Abrahamic moral vision shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims, which is embodied as faith-based reconciliation, is a fresh approach to intractable identity-based conflict, an alternative to religious extremism and an ancient paradigm needed for the twenty first century.

A must read for today’s policymakers and for political, religious and social leaders.

About the Author

Canon Brian Cox is an ordained Episcopal priest and a trained professional mediator who serves as a pastor; as a senior official of a Washington DC based non-governmental organization; and as a director of a law school-based academic program in faith-based diplomacy. He has been a pioneer in developing the faith-based reconciliation process as a religious framework for problem solving in intractable identity-based conflicts.

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