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Canadian Mennonite (April 14, 2008) April 14, 2008 Volume 12 Number 8 Caring for the least of these inside Plan for a clean world 19 Is he saved? 23 Born to bridge 29 2 Canadian Mennonite April 14, 2008 th Editorial 1 0 anniversary the future than in the past, because of the Responsibility to Protect initiative. Nations of every kind have for too long Overcome evil ignored moral principle if it was in con- flict with what they wanted to do. But, as a church, we need to remember that before we are citizens of Canada or with good another country, we are first citizens of God’s holy nation, “a people belonging to Tim Miller Dyck Editor/Publisher God,” as I Peter 2:9 says. Our Confession of Faith states, “Even at its best, a govern- he international community has group of foundations, that announced ment cannot act completely according been wrestling with the question of the establishment of the International to the justice of God because no nation, Tmoral responsibility when facing Commission on Intervention and State except the church, confesses Christ’s rule atrocity and evil for a long time. Sovereignty. This group was to as its foundation.” What do we do when faced with come up with a new policy for This is why it is not surprising to see hundreds of thousands of dead in the world to consider on how to that, in addition to many admirable state- Rwanda in the mid-1990s and in respond to genocide and ethnic ments, the R2P doctrine turns to violence the Darfur region of Sudan in the cleansing. That policy was the R2P as its final method of bringing about last few years? principle, and it was passed by the change. In any system that does not turn It’s been a real accomplishment Sept. 2005 summit of world lead- to Jesus as its ultimate example—the just to have the question considered as ers at the UN General Assembly and by one who refused violence and harm to seriously as it has been. During the Cold the Security Council in April 2006. others through to his death—those that War years, western governments ignored How our larger society understands have more power will see it as right to kill or supported all kinds of vicious rulers as the moral implications of violence is an others who disagree with them. long as they were on “our side.” important topic for Mennonites to ad- This is one of our particular Mennonite In this issue, we bring you an in-depth dress. Just to agree that everyone has a gifts to the world. Our belief that we will examination from a Mennonite perspec- moral responsibility to respond when the follow Christ in not using violence to get tive on what could become the biggest vulnerable are killed and abused by those our way is so simple, so profound and so change to international law in this area more powerful is a great step forward far-reaching. With this, so many sins of since the prosecution of genocide and towards God’s vision of justice for the the church would have been avoided: no the Universal Declaration of Human powerless. crusades, no killing of Jews or Muslims Rights shortly after the end of the Second Saying that everyone’s life and dignity or Mennonites, no Inquisition. We World War. That change is the idea of is worth protecting—not just the ones cannot accomplish the goals of heaven “Responsibility to Protect” or R2P (see who are white or have oil or mineral using the tools of the world. Romans 12 pages 4-12). After the non-intervention wealth)—lines up with Jesus’ love and tells us, “No, ‘if your enemies are hungry, in Rwanda and the NATO intervention death for the whole world. Stating that feed them; if they are thirsty, give them in Kosovo (which included Canadian there are more important moral prin- something to drink; for by doing this you bombing flights) without a UN Security ciples than not interfering with other will heap burning coals on their heads.’ Do Council authorization, there was a strong governments is in agreement with the not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil push for some kind of international church’s view that it is more important to with good.” agreement on if, when and how genocide obey God’s teachings than human law, if There is much that we can and must should be prevented. the two are in conflict. do to prevent injustice and genocides, It was Canada that stepped forward I’m glad to see these things recog- but more violence will never solve the to address this need. In 2000, it was the nized in secular society, and I hope problems of violence. Canadian government, along with a these principles are more influential in About the cover: Circulation: Please contact Lisa Jacky toll-free at Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) delegations have recently visited Africa’s 1-800-378-2524 ext. 221 or at [email protected] Great Lakes region to meet with local peacebuilders and explore possibilities for subscriptions and address changes. Subscriptions can also be ordered at our web site. Postmaster: Send returns to head of CPT violence-reduction work in Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic office. ISSN 1480-042X of Congo. See pages 4-12 for our feature interview with CPT’s Gene Stoltzfus We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Government and others on the best way to protect vulnerable populations in this and other of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program toward our mailing costs (PAP Reg. No. 09613, Agreement No. parts of the world. 40063104). PHOTO: CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKER TEAMS Head office: 490 Dutton Drive, Unit C5, Waterloo, ON, N2L 6H7 Caring for the least of these 4 Phone: 519-884-3810 Toll-free: 1-800-378-2524 Fax: 519-884-3331 contentsIn this feature interview with four respected Mennonites, manag- Web site: canadianmennonite.org ing editor Ross W. Muir examines the relatively new and certainly Please send all material to be considered for publication to: controversial UN initiative known as the Responsibility to Protect General submission address: [email protected] doctrine, which includes the use of military force—if necessary—to Letters to the Editor: [email protected] protect vulnerable populations whose governments have abandoned Milestones announcements: [email protected] them. Presenting their viewpoints are: Ernie Regehr, Gene Stoltzfus, Calendar announcements: [email protected] Ted Koontz and Pakisa Tshimika. Also, Mennonite historian John Material can also be sent “Attn: Submissions/Letter to the Editor/ Toews looks at the issue of nonviolence in light of the early 20th Milestones/Calendar” by postal mail or fax to our head office. century experiences of Mennonites in Russia. Mission statement: Canadian Mennonite (CM) is a bi-weekly Anabaptist/Mennonite-oriented periodical which seeks to promote Bridging the cultural divide 20 covenantal relationships within the church (Hebrews 10:23-25). It Aboriginal theologian Richard Twiss urges proper provides channels for sharing accurate and fair information, faith profiles, mixture of Christianity and First Nations traditions. inspirational/educational materials, and news and analyses of issues facing Plus, Manitoba correspondent Evelyn Rempel the church. In fulfilling its mission, the primary constituency of CM is the Petkau reviews the status of the province’s people and churches of Mennonite Church Canada and its five related Partnership Circles. area churches. CM also welcomes readers from the broader inter-Men- nonite and inter-church scene. Editorial freedom is expressed through Technology and the gospel 24 seeking and speaking the truth in love and by providing a balance of MC Canada’s Deborah Froese and national correspondent Aaron perspectives in news and commentary. CM will be a vehicle through Epp explore different facets of the communications revolution that are which mutual accountability can be exercised within the community of empowering mission agencies and workers to spread the word and keep believers; the paper also encourages its readers to have open hearts and in touch. minds in the process of discerning God’s will. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for Steady as she goes 28 he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one Retiring denominational minister Sven Eriksson has been a calming another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the influence for the ‘ship of faith’ known as MC Canada. habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the 35 Day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25, NRSV). Visual prayers Textile artist Karen Thiessen’s latest collection, Board of Directors (by appointing body): ‘Shadow,’ includes works ‘born out of difficulty.’ MC Canada: Aiden S. Enns, Ed Janzen, John Goossen, Paul Krahn; MC B.C.: Henry Neufeld; MC Alberta: Doris Daley Haysom; MC Regular features: Saskatchewan: Joe Neufeld; MC Manitoba: Al Friesen; MC Eastern For discussion 12 Readers write 13 Milestones 16 Canada: Larry Cornies; Elected by CMPS: Margaret Ewen Peters, Pontius’ Puddle 16 Calendar 36 Classifieds 37 Joanna Reesor-McDowell, Tobi Thiessen Board Chair: Larry Cornies, [email protected], 416-506-0327 Overcome evil with good 2 Tim Miller Dyck Head Office Staff: Tim Miller Dyck, Editor/Publisher, [email protected] Still learning to be a missional church 13 Ross W. Muir, Managing Editor, [email protected] Marv Baergen Barb Draper, Editorial Assistant, [email protected] The new energy crisis 14 Tim R. Dyck, Graphic Designer, [email protected] Lisa Jacky, Circulation/Finance, [email protected] Phil Wagler Advertising: Karen Suderman, [email protected], toll- Finding hope while sleeping in cars 15 free voice mail: 1-800-378-2524 ext.
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