The long-asked question concerning the Christian response to war has historically had two answers: pacifism, meaning that war is never justified; and "Just War" theory, meaning that there are certain circumstances which justify killing during war. That was, until Glen Stassen presented his third option: Just Peacemaking.

Recently, while at a birthday party for a Muslim friend, the host came and shared that he had read some disturbing anti-Muslim writing in response to an interview in which he had been the main Muslim voice. Abdullah was quite pleased with the article, written by a Christian academic who was genuinely interested in Abdullah’s views, but it was the comments to the article that disturbed him.

I taught a course called 'Peacemaking as God’s Mission' at Denver Seminary last month and John, one of my students from Kenya, told the chilling story of the terrorist group Al Shabaab. John seemed overwhelmed by Al Shabaab’s brazen, evil plans. I struggled to answer, but my response highlights two keys that will help us counter terrorism and promote religious freedom.

This reflection is based on and inspired by the fascinating story of a man named Dolkun Tunurganjan, a 31-year-old Uighur Muslim from Xinjiang, the semi-autonomous region in northwestern China. Dolkun is currently riding his motorcycle across numerous provinces and regions in China in the name of promoting greater ethnic harmony.

How can we love Muslims when we face the evil of terrorists? These people purposely murder innocent people to make a political point! Doesn’t the Bible say a lot about justice and punishing evil people?

Peacemaking is needed (and can be done) in all arenas of life, and today we highlight Mario Mattei, an artist working for peace through film, photography, and storytelling.

What if you had a chance to sit down with one of the Boko Haram guys, before they kidnapped the Nigerian girls. If you knew of his plan, would you try to talk him out of hurting them? Unfortunately, if you did that, you would be in violation of U.S. law.

“Is freedom of religion a liberal political agenda or is it a biblical mandate?” The middle-aged man sitting across from me asked this question intently in response to my comments on the role of religious freedom in peacemaking. I smiled and said, “Good question.”

I recently attended a conference at the Naval War College in Rhode Island on Religion and Security in World Affairs. I loved the lectures and the lively interaction. Yet something deeper was being stirred in me. I could not pinpoint what it was until I recalled the statement by Martin Luther King Jr. that those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.