Ambassadors of Reconciliation Volume I:

New Testament Reflections on Restorative Justice and Peacemaking

St. Paul called on followers of Christ to be "ambassadors of reconciliation." In reflections on this and other New Testaments texts, Ched Myers and Elaine Enns offer a lens for re-reading the entire biblical tradition as a resource for the cause of "restorative justice" and peacemaking.

The term "restorative justice" refers to a social movement that seeks to repair interpersonal, communal, and social injuries without recourse to violence or retribution. From its origins in the criminal justice arena restorative justice has been applied in schools, homes, and in the workplace. But examples such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa also show its application on a national level.

In this volume (a second will focus on stories of restorative justice in action) Myers and Enns offer biblical and theological resources for this vital and growing movement. Also see Volume II

What happens when the ministry of Jesus and the writings of the epistles are illuminated by their context of racial division, economic oppression, and political violence? The rich depth of their message of reconciliation becomes obvious. Myers and Enns illuminate the context of Jesus and Paul by drawing parallels with the life of Martin Luther King Jr. to convincingly demonstrate that restorative justice and peacemaking are at the heart of the gospel proclaimed by the early church."--Sylvia C. Keesmaat, Institute for Christian Studies, Canada

“Myers and Enns are faith-full scribes…Exceedingly rare and a precious gift to church and world is their wondrous mixing of ravenous hunger for justice, patient and practical wisdom in restoring justice and making peace, and consummate skill at biblical interpretation. All are on full display in Ambassadors of Reconciliation.”--Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld, Conrad Grebel University College, Canada