An Affirmation of Faith for the Followers of the Nonviolent Jesus



      I believe in God, who is love and mercy,
      and who has given the earth to all creatures.



      I believe in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of the God of love and mercy;
      whom we are to imitate in the call to bring peace and justice to humankind.



      I believe in the Holy Spirit of God, who gives courage to the nonviolent
      and fearlessness to those who practice enemy-love



      I believe in the community of faith and love,
      which mercifully serves "the least of these", refuses to cast the first stone
      and returns good for evil.



      I believe in the power of nonviolent love
      which Is the power of God that overcomes evil and death;



      But I do not believe in the right of the strongest,
      In the force of arms,
      or that the Principalities and Powers are imperishable.



      I believe In universal human rights
      and in the solidarity of all people;



      But I do not believe in hatred for "the other",
      in the power that comes from wealth and privilege,
      or in any established order that enslaves.



      I believe that all men and women are equally human
      and that God intends for the world an order based on justice and love;



      But I do not believe that war, hunger and poverty are Inevitable
      that the Sermon on the Mount is impractical or that peace is unattainable.



      I believe in the beauty of simplicity,
      in love with open hands,
      and in peace on earth;



      But I do not believe that suffering endured while resisting evil Is In vain,
      that death Is the end, or that the
      exploitation of the earth and its creatures was Intended by God.



      And I dare to believe, always and in spite of everything,
      In the salvific power of Christic love, everlasting mercy,
      and Indefinite forgiveness.





      Modification of a World Council of Churches Affirmation of Faith

      By Gary G. Kohls, Duluth, MN


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      Web Page Created by Jesse Schomberg
      12/29/1999