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Biblical Roots of Dialogue

This document discusses the biblical roots of dialogue and conflict resolution based on a passage from Matthew 18:15-17. It outlines a step-by-step process for resolving conflicts that moves from individual confrontation to communal attention. This passage provides fitting guidance for handling disagreements and crises in communities. The ongoing Southern Cameroon/Cameroon crisis is examined in light of this scriptural standard, questioning which side is in the wrong and what steps have been taken for resolution according to these biblical principles. Application of this text is suggested as key to shaping the future outcome of the conflict.

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Bua Nyoh
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201 views

Biblical Roots of Dialogue

This document discusses the biblical roots of dialogue and conflict resolution based on a passage from Matthew 18:15-17. It outlines a step-by-step process for resolving conflicts that moves from individual confrontation to communal attention. This passage provides fitting guidance for handling disagreements and crises in communities. The ongoing Southern Cameroon/Cameroon crisis is examined in light of this scriptural standard, questioning which side is in the wrong and what steps have been taken for resolution according to these biblical principles. Application of this text is suggested as key to shaping the future outcome of the conflict.

Uploaded by

Bua Nyoh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BIBLICAL ROOTS OF DIALOGUE & CONFLICT

RESOLUTION
The Scriptures have been the standards for Christian spirituality and morality for ages and even
the most crucial and trending issues of the world today still fine there answers in the scriptures.
The gospel of Mathew gives us the standard for dialogue and conflict Resolution in these words:
If your brother sins against you go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just
between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back. But if he will not
listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that every accusation may be upheld
by the testimony of two or more witnesses, as the scripture says. And if he will not listen to
them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat
him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17)

Worthy of note here is the flow of the passage, which reflects the categorical step after step of
every Dialogue and Conflict Resolution, as there is movement from the individual to the
communal. Where there is crisis, Jesus says, confront it directly, one-to-one, face-to-face. If this
does not solve the problem, include someone else in the conversation, and if all else fails take it
to the community as a whole. From individual confrontation to communal attention, the
movement of the passage is a progression that follows the development of the hypothetical
conflict from its origins in individual matters to its conclusion at the community level.

The subject matter of this passage could not be more fitting to any community in every age,
place, and situation than Cameroon. One of the things that plagues Cameroon (and other
communities no doubt) is the inability to handle and manage confrontation, disagreement and our
mutual accountability when it comes to riots, strikes and the general crisis of the nation. We
simply don't know how to live together, fight together, and stay together.

Lets think of the Southern Cameroon/Cameroun crisis in perspective of the above scriptural
passage. Two brothers joined together for love and prosperity and one decides to persistently
crush the other. Which of the brothers has wrong which? What are the results of such wrong
doings? What steps have been taken to resolve such wrong doings and are the steps in line with
the above standards? If no, then the present situation is inevitable and the future will only depend
on the application of this text.

The future looks very precarious, but the Jesus remains very salvific.

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