"This initiation of this Institute is an event that comes at the right time in our troubled bewildered world. Three components of religion, peace, and justice belong intrinsically and deeply together in the gospel narrative. We have over time, for reasons or carelessness and self-interest managed to separate them from each other:

• We have fostered religion that has no interest in public issues;

• We have imagined peace that could be convenient without justice;

• We have committed to justice without a grounding in the purposes of God.

The recovery of this triad is an urgent matter. I am delighted and encouraged that IRPJ will be a practical embodiment committed to that enterprise." —Walter Brueggemann (author, professor)

 

 

"If only there were more places like IRPJ equipping leaders so well in this vision and vocation: to take part in the nonviolent transfiguration of all things. IRPJ is for all who long for the Fire of nonviolent-love to become our personal experience in prayer, and our program for ecological and social witness." —Jarrod McKenna (pastor, activist)

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"Transforming the world takes honest self-reflection, skillful action, and an ability to be creative in the moment while drawing on centuries of religious wisdom. The Institute for Religion, Peace and Justice at St. Stephen's University offers students a recipe to discover each of these paths." —Lisa Schirch (scholar, author, activist)

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"When people tell me they're sick of organized religion, I gently suggest that maybe the problem isn't that religion is organized, but that it's organized for the wrong purposes. Then I'll often ask, 'What worthy purposes do you wish religious communities would organize around?' IRPJ offers an essential answer to that question: working for peace and justice for everyone, beginning with the most vulnerable. I'm thankful that this community of scholars and learners are devoting themselves to a fresh vision of what religion is actually for." —Brian McLaren (author, speaker, activist)

 

 

"The prophet Isaiah envisioned a day when the pursuit of peace would replace preparation for war. For two millennia Christians have claimed that in his death and resurrection Christ has inaugurated that day. The Institute for Religion, Peace and Justice takes seriously the call of Christ to wage peace and justice in a world long addicted to war and violence." —Brian Zahnd (author, pastor)

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