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Comment:
The Long Road to Healing
David Porter
Editorial:
God's Call to Peacemaking
Alwyn Thomson
GOD'S
CALL TO PEACEMAKING
Little did we realise when taking the decision to set up ECONI on a more
formal basis, that the context in which we seek to work would change so
dramatically. The announcement of a cessation of violence by the IRA at
the beginning of September seemed to fly in the face of events since the
Downing Street Declaration.
Yet informed comment would indicate that we are witnessing the fruits of a long process. Whatever the motives or expectations of the republican movement, there seems to be a recognition that violence will not achieve the desired end. Whatever our fears and concerns for the process ahead, as Christians we can welcome the fact that, at least for now, lives will not be lost in senseless violence.
But it is time to do more. At this point in the history of this community it is imperative that evangelical Christians take up their God given responsibility to be salt and light. The risks are great but the cost of not engaging with the emerging process are greater.
Over the coming months many issues related to life in Northern Ireland will be under discussion. We need to be committed to applying God's values to the 'new order' which we hope will emerge.
That will require not just our stating of biblical principles but our incarnational involvement in all aspects of the life of this community. God's way needs to be seen to be real and relevant and his people prepared to play their part in the healing process ahead.
Alywn Thomson - ECONI's Research Officer
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