About Book

The Gospel of Peace in a Violent World presents a multi-author exploration of Christian nonviolence as a theological and practical commitment to communal flourishing. Edited by Shawn and Marlena Graves, the book brings together theologians, pastors, and practitioners to show how peacemaking extends beyond personal or international conflict into the very structures of daily life. The essays cover racial justice, gender, disability, immigration, ecological violence, and food justice, among other issues. Each contribution situates Christian nonviolence as a radical witness to God’s shalom, confronting systems of violence with practices of justice, reconciliation, and love. The text demonstrates that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the holistic flourishing of communities shaped by the gospel. This book addresses urgent concerns of our age—racial inequality, gender-based violence, ecological collapse, forced migration, and scarcity—through the lens of Christian nonviolence. Its focus on communal flourishing broadens the scope of nonviolence to systemic and structural transformation, making it timely for religious leaders, activists, educators, and policymakers. Community engagement mechanisms include: • Seminary and church-based study groups on peacemaking. • Integration into social justice and theology curricula at universities. • Resource for NGOs, peace fellowships, and interfaith organizations working on justice and reconciliation. • Practical guide for local congregations addressing issues like immigration support, ecological stewardship, or food justice. This is a rich and interdisciplinary contribution to the discourse on Christian nonviolence. By situating peace within a holistic vision of communal flourishing, it advances both theological reflection and practical strategy. Its multi-author approach ensures diverse perspectives, though this also means depth varies across chapters. Still, the breadth is one of its major strengths for engaging contemporary challenges. Strengths: • Wide range of contributors representing theology, activism, and pastoral practice. • Timely focus on structural and systemic dimensions of violence. • Combines theological grounding with practical applications. • Strong editorial framing and contributions from respected voices (e.g., Brueggemann, Perkins). Weaknesses / Limitations: • Essay format means uneven depth across topics. • Primarily Christian-centered—less direct dialogue with non-Christian traditions. • Some chapters may feel introductory for academic specialists. Compared with single-author monographs, this collection excels in scope and diversity but may lack sustained argumentation. It complements foundational works on nonviolence (e.g., Yoder, Hauerwas) by offering contextual and practical reflections for today.