Blessed are the Merciful

Dr. Craig Atwood on Nonviolence and Moravian Theology

This episode of Nonviolence Radio welcomes Dr. Craig Atwood, professor of theology at Moravian Theological Seminary and director of the Center for Moravian Studies. Together with Stephanie and Michael, Craig discusses his research and teaching on the history of Moravian thought and faith with special attention to medieval thinker, Peter Chelčický. Chelčický was explicit about the Moravian commitment to nonviolence, calling it: 

a necessary expression of faith…you cannot use force in matters of faith. He contrasted power and love and argued that the Christian can only be motivated by love, even at the cost of your life.

Identifying the central role of nonviolence in Moravian theology at that time illuminates its long historical roots, extending the community of those committed to nonviolence far into the past and in this, strengthening and legitimizing a tradition which – as seen in the Nonviolence Report at the end of the show – continues to grow today.

Transcript archived at Waging Nonviolence