Blessed Are the Peacemakers

'A deeply thoughtful, compassionate, and challenging examination of human violence--in Scripture, in history, and in our chaotic and terrifying modern age. Drawing from a vast array of sources, Paynter offers a wealth of insights and applications. I benefited greatly from her hard work--and from her tender heart for a broken world. I'm sure you will too.' * Joseph W. Smith III, author of Sex and Violence in the Bible and Transparency: A Cure for Hypocrisy in the Modern Church *
'Boldly facing the pervasiveness of human violence and the charges of Christianity's complicity in it, Paynter employs rigorous research to delineate various theories, supplemented by stories and discussion questions, so that readers can begin to arrive at their own decisions on timely and timeless issues. Blessed Are the Peacemakers can serve as a resource for consultation on almost any issue dealing with violence, an exegetical guide to key biblical texts, and a practical instruction for faithful living. This will become an indispensable book to support individuals and churches who desire to live justly and peaceably amid a violent world, aiding their desire to live out the hope of God's kingdom now.' * Amy Peeler, Kenneth T. Wessner Chair of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College *
'Helen Paynter is a seasoned biblical scholar who has devoted herself to the study of violence and Scripture. Her book Blessed Are the Peacemakers is a superb distillation of her careful engagement of this topic over the years. Whether one is a Christian just-war proponent (as I am) or a pacifist, every reader will not only find much rich, biblically rooted material to ponder, but each one will likewise be challenged to look afresh at what it means to be a peacemaker for Christ in this world.' * Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and author of Is God a Moral Monster? and Is God a Vindictive Bully? *
'In Blessed Are the Peacemakers, Helen Paynter offers a scholar's seasoned reflection on the biblical text and human violence. Attuned to many forms of violence, Paynter selects key texts and demonstrates an approach that is hermeneutically honest and theologically adept. Her work exhibits an astonishing range of thinking across the biblical corpus and the scholarly literature, and the volume's pages are filled with wise insight, compassion, and always hope. Of value to scholars and a gift to the church, it is a work I will return to again as a resource for my own teaching, writing, and thinking.' * Lissa M. Wray Beal, professor of Old Testament, Wycliffe College, Toronto, Canada *
'In Blessed Are the Peacemakers, Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter offers a broad and sweeping treatment of human violence in the Bible with an eye toward how it might inform contemporary ethics. Writing accessibly with erudition and grace, Paynter explores a wide range of Christian views, providing suggestions for how to navigate some of the most pressing issues of our time. While not everyone will agree with all her conclusions--I myself differ at points--all should celebrate her commitment to read Scripture in ways that promote peace. Blessed Are the Peacemakers is a substantial contribution to the conversation that Christians need to have about what it means to be faithful to God in a violent world.' * Eric A. Seibert, professor of Old Testament, Messiah University, and author of Disarming the Church: Why Christians Must Forsake Violence to Follow Jesus and Change the World *
'In the news, on our streets, and in our own hearts and actions, violence rears its ugly and dangerous head. Why is violence so pervasive, and is there any hope? In Blessed Are the Peacemakers, Helen Paynter addresses these and other issues (war, capital punishment, gun control, structural racism) with deep biblical insight and cultural awareness. I highly recommend this profound study for all who desire to understand and implement a hopeful and redemptive Christian response to the violence of our world.' * Tremper Longman III, distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies, Westmont College *
'One way to read Paynter's work is as the story of Peace, from its creation at the beginning of the world to its consummation in the age to come. The book takes the reader across the biblical canon, stopping at insightfully chosen, familiar texts, to surprise us with sightings of Peace. At every point, the 'then' of the biblical text is made immediate and urgent with the everyday realities of 'now.' It calls both scholar and common reader, the global south as much as the north, to attend to Peace, and delight in the prosperity of its paths.' * Havilah Dharamraj, academic dean and head of the department of Old Testament, South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies, Bangalore, India *
'Paynter's Blessed Are the Peacemakers is truly an impressive volume! Her wise and thoughtful guidance through the dense foliage of Scripture's troubling texts renders the biblical panoramas of peace and peacemaking even more breathtaking. This book is theoretically informed, exegetically rich, and eminently pastoral and practical. From dealing with challenging violent texts to boots-on-the-ground issues like gun control, capital punishment, racism, and migration, this volume provides insightful and realistic guidance for Christians who want to respond well to the problems of violence in Scripture and in the world today.' * Matthew Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College *
'Prompted by questions from contemporary society and informed by the best of biblical scholarship and Christian theology, Helen Paynter has written an immensely insightful book that addresses the problem of human violence and what the Bible says about it. Blessed Are the Peacemakers should be required reading for all who want to understand how Scripture speaks about and to violence in our world. Paynter makes a clear and convincing case that the Bible calls us to live without violence as we submit ourselves to the sovereignty of God.' * Jerome F. D. Creach, Robert C. Holland Professor of Old Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary *