Religion Case

New topic- 15.1 the understanding of peace in religious traditions

That peace is often placed in opposition to war, violence or conflict. Yet this is not the central meaning of peace in the Christian tradition. Christians would understand peace, in a general sense as a state of ordered tranquillity-of controlled calm, quiet or serenity. The Christian notion of peace refers not merely to the absence of over conflict, but to that which results from actively working toward right relationship between the individual, god and ones neighbour.

While the Christian tradition pursues 'peace' as its preferred path, there have been periods where violence and retribution have assumed greater dominance than peace and peacemaking. This relationship between peace, violence and war clouds the history of not only Christianity but also of most religious traditions.

Peace in the sacred texts of Christianity

(The Christian scriptures-the New Testament)

The notion of peace in four gospels and other Christian writings is founded on two major Jewish understanding-the fifth commandment, and the Jewish words used to describe peace. In recalling the fifth commandment, 'you shall not kill' (ex 20:13) Jesus asks for peace of the heart and exposes the immorality of murderous anger and hatred. The main term used for peace in the Jewish scriptures is shalom. It is a Hebrew word that refers to the spiritual and material wellbeing of both individuals and the religious community as a whole, as a result of fidelity to god's promises

Peace as shalom is used to indicate peace between nations as opposed to war (1 king 5:12). It is also used in combination with other terms such as 'peace and security', 'peace and prosperity', peace, truth and faithfulness', and righteousness that will bring peace.

Although other passages speak of the connection between peace and material wellbeing blessed by god, the emphasis of this peace tends to be relational-peace exists between people or between people and good. The notion of peace as individual spiritual peace with god or internal peace of mind, disconnected form ones neighbour and the world is not found in the Jewish scriptures. The same as shall be seen, is true of the christen scriptures and the four gospels in particular.

The Christian scriptures including the four gospels, build on the Jewish notion of shalom by presenting Jesus as the means of this peace. He not only offers peace (in 14:27) but ultimately, embodies this peace in his own person-in his ministry, death and resurrection.

Jesus and peace

Christians believe that Jesus has been sent by god as a sign of the new covenant, the means of a new reign of peace between god and all humanity. The scriptures clearly characterise Jesus as one sent by god, and one who offers peace, and who has become this peace through his own life, death and resurrection.one of the most important biblical texts highlighting the meaning of Christian peace, and Jesus role in this peace, is found in Pauls letter to the Ephesians. Here Jesus is presented as the one sent from god who is identical to then peace sought by many.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the driving wall, that is the hostility between us..so he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near".

Eph 2:13-14, 17

Other important scriptures references related to peace are:

* Jesus is described as the prince of peace(Isa 9:2-7)

* Love your enemies, do good to those who harm you( Mt 5:9)

* I give you a new commandment, love one another(Jn 13:43)

These however should be balanced against texts referring to divine judgement and violence, such as in Mattew (21:12-13) Luke (22:35-38) and mark (12:1-9).

According to Paul, Jesus is our peace, a peace that is directly connected with peacemaking. Jesus has achieved this peace by breaking down the wall between Jew and gentile. All Christian peacemaking needs to be understood in the context of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus. Through his suffering and death on the cross, Jesus has bestowed on humanity both the space and wisdom of god (1 cor 1:23-24)

The peace that Jesus brings is also connected with keeping and doing the word by rejecting the peace of the world and therefore letting go of fear (Jn 14:23-27).

The idea that violence can be an appropriate Christian response has been traced to the incident where Jesus drove the moneychangers from the temple and also to a misinterpretation of the text:

'Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth I have not come to bring peace, but a sword'.

Jesus main point here is that true peace comes from faithful obedience (listening and doing) towards gods will. That is why the gospels have Jesus speaking of bringing not peace but a sword, creating decision in families where some obey gods will, following Jesus and others do not.

Nevertheless, the primary orientation of Jesus teaching and of the Christian tradition has been towards understanding, finding and making peace, for oneself, for one's community and for the wider world. This means that the Christian preference is to follow Jesus example of selfless love or agape, the word used in Jesus instruction to, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you' (Mt 5:44).

The early Christian communities and peace

'To all gods beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: grace to you and peace from god our father and the lord Jesus Christ'. (Rom 1:7)

Among the early Christian communities, the understanding of peace builds upon ideas already present in the Jewish scriptures and inspired by the life of Jesus Christ. The life, death and resurrection of Christ are clearly the foundation of Christianity's approach to love, peace and justice. The aim of this section is to explore, and look for patterns in a range of peace texts that emerged from these early Christian communities.

Virtually all the letters in the Christian scriptures, open their greeting with peace often paired with grace. Although peace in these writings refers to lack of strife among individuals or nations, it is also used to describe order and