Introduction: Blessed are the Peacemakers
Derek Poole

Comment
Mark Houston

From the Director
David Porter

Peacemaking
Arthur Chapman

Gentleness: An attribute of Peace
Graham Cheesman

A Long Road to Healing
David Porter

All Taigs are Targets
Neil Smart

God's Holy Warrior
Alwyn Thomson

Book Reviews
Alwyn Thomson David Porter

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THE RADICAL, VULNERABLE, RISK-TAKING JESUS
The words of Jesus are rightly of huge significance to all who attempt to follow him. Highlighted in red or green, depending on which translation you read, his words offer stop and go signs on our journey towards him.

There is a poetic quality about 'Blessed are the peacemakers'. It rolls off the tongue with consummate ease. Yet today, as no doubt it has always been, these words are much easier to say than they are to live. It occurs to me that we in the Christian community are quick to utter these words, as we attempt to reinforce the need for a non-violent solution to the conflict in our land.

Whilst peacemaking is a non-negotiable element of our faith, and the need for peacemakers remains acute, I believe that the Christian community has to examine closely the type of model it presents. Before calling on the wider community to invest in peacemaking, should we not examine the forest of timber in our own eyes with regard to how we relate or don't relate with other denominations? It is true that some steps have been taken in this area and that is to be applauded, but will we continue to do so in the difficult days which no doubt lie ahead? Will we in the church continue to speak up and speak out, even when it makes us unpopular and criticised within our own communities?

Consider the fourcornered sheet containing all kinds of everything that was laid out before Peter during his dream (Acts 10). God was preparing him for a new experience, the conversion of a group of Gentiles. Prior to that moment he had thought of Gentiles as unclean. Is there a signpost here for the evangelical community, a signpost we have failed to notice in the past?

Perhaps this passage creates a precedent for us to follow, an encouragement to step out of our traditional routes and nogo areas, and engage in a new openness. An increase in prayerful open dialogue, even if eventual agreement proves elusive, may sow seeds of friendship, respect and openness to diversity. Future generations might then be better equipped to reap the benefits.

History appears to present 'kairos' moments that the church would do well to utilise, since they often take generations to reappear. Will we in the light of this 'refuse to call anything impure that God has made clean'? (Acts 10:15)

Fortunately for us, Peter's experience changed his theology and caused a paradigm shift in his subsequent mission. Would we acknowledge that God is neither on one side nor the other, and accept as Peter did that 'God does not show favouritism but accepts men (and women) from every nation who fear Him and do what is right'? (Acts 10:34)

When Jesus lived out peacemaking the Samaritan woman was transformed. Her experience resulted in the transformation of her community which had until that moment, along with the Jews, not been able to see the wood for the trees.

The radical, vulnerable, risk-taking Jesus engaged with a woman whose gender rendered her disposable, whose lifestyle rendered her undesirable, and whose faith rendered her the 'other sort'.

Would we? Could we? As always there appear to be more questions than answers.

Mark Houston - the Pastor of City Church, a new church working in the Lower Ormeau /Holy Land area of Belfast with a particular emphasis on peace and reconciliation. He is a member of the ECONI Steering Group.