Mending the Divides Book Review
“Mending the Divide” is a book of practicality when as it relates to the theology of peacemaking. Jon Huckins and Jer Swigart both bring their years of experience to the reader to to operate out of a posture of peace. This is in large part due to a conversation with an advisor named Rick Malouf who asked them “‘What do you mean when you speak of peace?‘”[@swigartjerMendingDividesCreative2017,22] This question forced the two authors to go beyond what they had understood as peacemaking (avoiding conflict and embracing tranquility) to a much more profound understanding of the character of God.
Swigart had at the very least, understood that peacemaking was the mission of God, and even that it was God’s primary mission.(Swigart, Jer and Huckins 2017, 11) It was with this understanding that they were able to move towards embracing shalom (peace that is complete, full, whole). “What surprised us was neither the repetition nor the various uses of the term but the fact that shalom, peace, wasn’t created. Shalom is who God is. Much like we say, “God is love” or “God is hope” in our efforts to establish God as the exemplar of these qualities, we can also say, “God is peace.""(Swigart, Jer and Huckins 2017, 23)
In regards to people who are peacemakers, the authors write that peacemakers aren’t born, they are formed by following the ways of Jesus.(Swigart, Jer and Huckins 2017, 55) It is a practice, that when taken seriously, will open up the opportunities to bring the fullness of God into every day interactions and situations.
The reader is provided with a four step process to be a better peacemaker: 1. See: “Everyday peacemakers are men and women who see the humanity, dignity, and image of God in all people. They see the pain of others and they understand their own contributions to the injustice around them.”[@swigartjerMendingDividesCreative2017,71] 2. Immerse: We must exist with and in the communities we find ourselves, not as the heroes, but as learners and guests. “Immersion invites us to slow down and pursue relationship rather than a quick fix. It is there that we are reminded of our shared beauty and brokenness. We are all created in the image of God as equals, and we have all been found by a God who immersed into our broken story in Jesus.[@swigartjerMendingDividesCreative2017, 94] 3. Contend: “Contending requires that we neither run from conflict nor enter into it violently, but that we move toward it transformatively. In the face of violence whatever form that may take - we don’t get even; we get creative in love.”[@swigartjerMendingDividesCreative2017,131] 4. Restore: Restoration is allowing people to be their fully created selves. “Restoration springs to life when we leverage and lay down our power and privilege so that others flourish.”[@swigartjerMendingDividesCreative2017,154]
This book has challenged me to continue to think locally. There is peacemaking to be done in the neighborhood I am living in, in the communities I serve, and the communities I find myself in as a person (i.e. veteran or musician). Many of the concepts and practices introduced by the authors come from being present in their own contexts, and beyond being present, allowing the Holy Spirit to be present as well. Having a consistent and intentional relationship with God should be life changing, not only for ourselves, but for those we come into contact with each day.
Doing the hard work of allowing restoration in ourselves first, gives way to the work of restoration in world around us. Rinse and repeat. “God’s restoration continues to be realized in our world today as we embrace our vocation as everyday peacemakers. As we see, immerse, and contend, we are restored… others are restored …broken systems are transformed …and becomes real in our world.”(Swigart, Jer and Huckins 2017, 158)
This hard work will come with mistakes, and there are times we run the risk of overstepping, and there will be places we feel uncomfortable, but as long as we are seeking to live in restoration and not condemnation or power, peacemaking will likely follow.