The Concept of Mediation in the Gospels and the Qur'an: The Importance of a Third Party Role for Conflict Resolution

Abstract

Mediation is a method of conflict resolution that involves a third party as a mediator. The presence of a mediator is often considered important because of its neutral role in mediating conflicts. However, in practice, finding a third party willing to be a mediator is not easy, especially in conflicts involving religion. Religion, which is supposed to teach peaceful values, often fails to encourage its followers to act as peacemakers. In fact, religious conflicts often grow more complex by involving various parties. This research aims to interpret Abrahamic sacred texts, such as the Bible and the Qur'an, which are related to the concept of mediation or peacemaker. Through a text hermeneutics approach and the integration of conflict resolution theory, this research explores verses that discuss mediation, such as the term intermediary or peacemaker in the Bible, as well as tahkim, islah, and wasat in the Qur'an. The research highlights the need to integrate the concept of mediation with religious spiritual values to create a third party capable of using religious fervour in reconciling conflicts. This research offers a new approach by using Abrahamic sacred texts as a model for spirituality-based mediation, in contrast to the concept of mediation that has been seen more from a legal perspective. By internalising the teachings of peace from the two holy books, this research emphasises the importance of the presence of mediators based on religious values to create peace in the midst of conflict.