Peace Initiative for African Contexts :

a Theological Thinking Beyond the Culture of Violence

Resumo

This article presents a theological reflection on the contribution of David H. Kajom’s Violence and Peace Initiative in Nigeria (2015). This conversation is meant to closely read Kajom’s work and present it to other readers in order to further reflect on the urgency of peace in the world of violence. Kajom’s major contribution to the church in the aforementioned work is to stir the interest of his readers, especially from West African Evangelical circles, to rethink their relationship with the World Council of Churches (WCC). This he did in terms of having a closer look at the projection of the WCC on ‘the Decade to Overcome Violence’. This is a hopeful projection, not only for Africa, but more so for the entire world. This article does not argue that violence can be overcome within a certain decade, nor does Kajom present such argument. But rather the possibility of self-critique and reorientation in a world full of violent actions is possible. We must beyond the culture of violence to the life-giving project of the church of Jesus Christ as the community of peace and love in the world. This reflection is offered as a memorial on the passing of Dr. David H. Kajom whose memory would continue to challenge us in the years to come.