Making Peace with the Cross

Re-imagines the cross from a Mennonite-feminist perspective, to address contemporary questions of suffering and trauma.

This book re-images the cross from a Mennonite-feminist perspective, refusing to glorify violence or suffering as redemptive, but by placing the cross within the context of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection, it speaks in new ways to pressing contemporary questions of suffering and trauma as it empowers the work of compassion and peacebuilding.

Loewen takes up the task of recontextualizing the cross within the broader narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry, crucifixion, death, and resurrection.

In doing so, she illuminates an expansive understanding of redemption.

Many contemporary progressive Christians don’t know what to do with the cross. Tired of it being used to excuse or promote a violent and/or masochistic understanding of the faith, many advocate avoiding the cross altogether, and emptying it of its redemptive significance. But what if the cross can be reclaimed in ways that speak an empowering and liberating word to those experiencing trauma and suffering and those seeking to embody a Christian peace ethic?

Using a Mennonite-feminist perspective which holds together historic peace church emphases on peace, nonviolence, and empowering discipleship, this book explores each stage of the narrative of Jesus. What emerges from this unique conversation is a peaceable reclaiming of the cross as a moment of Divine embrace and presence, reflected all the way from Jesus’ compassionate ministry of peace to his cross as a symbol of all of the ways people are crucified today.