Prospects for Theology in Peacebuilding : A Theological Analysis of the Just Peace Concept in the Textual Process towards an International Ecumenical Peace Declaration, World Council of Churches 2008-2011
Author
Summary, in English
This study takes its starting point in the questions of whether and how theology might serve as a faith-based
peacebuilding resource. Based on an exploration of the textual process towards an international ecumenical
declaration on just peace in the World Council of Churches, it suggests that theology can indeed serve as such
a resource and it sketches how theology can make such a contribution. The exploration, which takes place in
two stages, focuses on the theological development of the concept of just peace and is guided by the research
question “What are the prospects for theology in peacebuilding?”. The first stage seeks to discern how the
discourse presented in the textual process makes a contribution to the theological construction of the just peace
concept. The second stage investigates how the theological construction of the just peace concept provides an
example of theology as an essential, faith-based peacebuilding resource. The exploration constitutes a
constructive theological analysis of the just peace concept, carried out in view of the four perspectives of
theological ethics, biblical interpretation, spirituality, and ecumenical vision. It is guided by the pursuit of
identifying theological resources for religiously motivated peacebuilding endeavours in our time.
peacebuilding resource. Based on an exploration of the textual process towards an international ecumenical
declaration on just peace in the World Council of Churches, it suggests that theology can indeed serve as such
a resource and it sketches how theology can make such a contribution. The exploration, which takes place in
two stages, focuses on the theological development of the concept of just peace and is guided by the research
question “What are the prospects for theology in peacebuilding?”. The first stage seeks to discern how the
discourse presented in the textual process makes a contribution to the theological construction of the just peace
concept. The second stage investigates how the theological construction of the just peace concept provides an
example of theology as an essential, faith-based peacebuilding resource. The exploration constitutes a
constructive theological analysis of the just peace concept, carried out in view of the four perspectives of
theological ethics, biblical interpretation, spirituality, and ecumenical vision. It is guided by the pursuit of
identifying theological resources for religiously motivated peacebuilding endeavours in our time.
Publishing year
2016
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation
Topic
- Religious Studies
Status
Published
Supervisor
- Mika Vähäkangas
Defence date
19 March 2016
Defence time
14:15
Defence place
Hörsalen, Språk- och litteraturcentrum, Helgonabacken 12, Lund
Opponent
- Geraldine S. Smyth (PhD)