A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW CHARACTERIZED BY SHALOM-SALAAM
Why do we start with our worldview?
We want to build trusting relationships — to be transparent why we do what we do, and why we say what we say. Our worldview determines our philosophical or theological framework. Our philosophical framework determines our ethical values. Our ethical values determines what we say (our statements) and what we do (our programs).
In a multicultural and pluralist globality, it is good to be honest and transparent about our perspectives. No one looks at reality with a naked eye. We see reality with our own set of lenses — cultural, spiritual, philosophical.
At PBCI, we see the world from the lenses of our faith1. We are a Christian community. We see reality from a Christian worldview. We believe that, originally, the Creator designed the whole creation as shalom-reality. There was complete harmony between the Creator and human beings, between human beings and other human beings, between human beings and the creation or nature. But somehow along the way, human beings chose to be selfish and marred the harmonious relationships of our existence with greedy attitudes and unjust systems.
PBCI is one of the many ministries and advocacies sent out by the church2 who believe that the Creator is redeeming the Divine Creation towards a new shalom-reality. This belief motivates us to do the work of peace and reconciliation with perseverance and hope!
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1. Our particular Christian set of beliefs is of a Mennonite tradition.
2. We work with all ideological, political, and religious groups; yet, we remain faithful in our identity as a church-based community of peace and reconciliation missionaries.
