What Is Peace and Justice?
The Hebrew tradition, the deep taproot of our movement
illuminated further by the life of Jesus, helps us define the words peace and
justice.
Defining Peace
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.--Psalm 34:14 NRSV
The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. Shalom is
rich in meaning. It is a comprehensive concept that means
wholeness, peace, joy,
freedom, reconciliation, community,
harmony of all creation--both physical and spiritual,
righteousness, truth, justice, communication,
humanity
Shalom is wholistic and embraces all persons and all
creation in reconciliation and harmony. When Jesus taught about peace,
he was using the word shalom in all its richness. Jesus, when
teaching the Beatitudes, really said, "Blessed are the shalom-makers."
The New Testament was written in Greek and eirene was the word used to
translate shalom. Perhaps the best English word to translate shalom
is not "peace" but the word "Zion."
Defining Justice
Justice and only justice, you shall pursue...--Deuteronomy
16:20 NRSV
One word for justice in Hebrew is zedakah. The
concept of justice in Judaism is different from Greek-Western views of this
concept. The emphasis is not on "retribution" (punishment) or
"distribution" (fair shares for all). It is more what human
living should be like. That is why the word zedakah is not only
translated into English as justice but also as righteousness, which means
living a just life personally.
Also "justice" (zedakah) is consistently
paired with "mercy" or "grace" (hesed) in the
Hebrew scriptures. Jesus put them together in the Beatitudes:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive
mercy.--Matthew 5:6-7 NRSV
In the church seal, the lamb can represent mercy and the lion
justice. The two work together for the blessing of children and bringing
peace.
The Worth of Persons
Peace and justice making also come together and are rooted in
the worth of persons:
Remember the worth of persons is great in the sight of God;
for I, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore I, God,
suffered the pain of all, that all might repent and come to me.
And I, God, have risen again from the dead, that I might
bring all to me on conditions of repentance. And how great is my joy in
the person that repents. Therefore you are called to cry repentance to
this people.--(Doctrine & Covenants 16: 3c-e, adapted)
There Are No Exceptions
Doctrine and Covenants Section 16 was given in June 1829,
about nine months before the church was organized. It is prior to and
foundational to the whole Restoration movement. For the church the worth
of persons is rooted in incarnation and atonement, in God becoming human and
suffering with us and for us. The worth of persons for us cannot be an option.
Whatever the culture, times, or surrounding ideologies, the church must be
consistently committed to the worth of all because God in Christ is. Each
person can repent. Zion is a state of justice where culture, institutions, and
personal relationships all honor the worth of persons and the restoration of
the worth of all.
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Ministry from This Office
The purpose of the Peace and Justice Ministries office is to
provide teaching ministry, resource development, and expanding networks of
contacts for those interested in peace and justice. If you are involved
in peace and justice issues (human rights, conscientious objection,
disarmament, environment, poverty, domestic violence, restorative
justice/crime and punishment) and would like to network with others, please
contact Andrew Bolton at abolton@CofChrist.org.
Andrew seeks through lively teaching to help church members
and friends bring together the message of the gospel and their Christ-centered
theologies relevant to today in ways that result in commitment, witness,
action, and service. He is available for congregational events,
retreats, and reunions. The annual Peace Colloquy is coordinated by this
office and provides a rich opportunity of ministry and networking. We
invite nominations for future peace award recipients.
