Written by Wu Hsin-ju
Translated by Lydia Ma
The biblically-inspired phrase “beat swords into plowshares” was commonly used by churches in East Germany in 1982 during a peace movement that culminated in the fall of the Berlin Wall and massive changes to its authoritarian government.
Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with the pastor who made this phrase popular – Rev. Christian Fuhrer from Leipzig Nicholas Church. We discussed the “Peace Prayer” meetings that he started then, which eventually led to “Revolution of Candles” among churches in East Germany, and the birth and development of democratic movements in East Germany.
Though Christian Fuhrer retired in 2008, he still presides over the “Peace Prayer” meetings that he helped start in 1982. They’re still held at Leipzig Nicholas Church every Monday and people continue to gather and pray for world peace and justice.
Though East Germany was ruled by an atheist Communist government at the time, officials didn’t ban or destroy churches because of its stabilizing effect on society. However, merely 10% to 20% of East Germans would identify themselves as Christians.
Hence, it was a miracle that the call to turn swords into plowshares would quickly catch on in mainstream society and become an inspiration and invitation for young people to become part of a democratic movement.
This catchword ignited hope in the hearts of many disillusioned East Germans. “If you ask me about miracles during the democratic revolution in East Germany, I’d say that seeing God’s word inspire and impact non-Christians to join Christians in this movement is the biggest miracle of all,” said Christian Fuhrer. “The most important teaching of Jesus is non-violence and peace. No one has the right to take away another person’s God-given rights and dignity using coercion and violence. Though these words were spoken by a prophet some 2,700 years ago, they still apply today.”
Despite the success of the “Revolution of Candles” and the German unification, Christian Fuhrer continued to speak out on the importance of peace and justice for he knew other aspects of justice needed attention – such as economic justice. “Economic disparity should be part of our prayers for peace too because it creates inequity between the rich and the poor, unemployment, and poverty, all of which could be defined as ‘economic violence’.”
Due of his tireless efforts in advancing democracy and peace, Christian Fuhrer has received many awards and accolades over the years. But he insists on accepting only those that also recognize the efforts of fellow democracy and peace activists.
During an award ceremony in 1995, he remarked, “As long as there are still students, workers, middle-age people in their 50s who want to work but cannot find employment, the peace revolution isn’t over yet. As long as there are folks who can’t find affordable housing while many new or refurnished mansions are being built or left unoccupied, the peace revolution isn’t over yet. This second peace revolution will not be any easier than the first one.”
Christian Fuhrer believes people involved in the ecumenical movement today should be as determined as German peace activists in the 1980s because poverty and exploitation are root causes of many religious conflicts. It’s time the Church turned the “sword of economic injustice” into a plowshare enabling welfare and security for all.
