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, righteousness, truth, justice, communication, humanity.
Shalom is wholistic and embraces all persons and all of 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.
In the church seal, the lamb can represent mercy and the lion justice. The
two can work together for the blessing of children and bringing peace.
To learn more about peace and justice:
Community
of Christ World Church Peace and Justice Ministries
Suggestions for Congregations:
Congregations are invited to pursue peace and justice in their communities.
For help getting started:
Activities
for Congregations
Current Issues:
HUMAN RIGHTS
All persons are of great worth in the sight of God. There can be no exceptions
anywhere, at anytime. Community of Christ stands for human rights for all people.
Read the new human rights newsletter, In the Forefront:
In
the Forefront...
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
At Region Conference 2003, the following resolution on restorative justice was
passed:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Australia Church:
1. Explore ways in which it can encourage and pursue principles of restorative
justice with other faith traditions,
2. Suggest to members and friends who are legally trained to explore avenues
in which restorative justice principles may be incorporated into their practices,
3. Write to the appropriate departments of justice asking that they seek to
explore restorative justice as a paradigm of possibility in their jurisdiction,
and
4. Put a similar resolution to the World Conference in 2004.
Links to Other Peace and Justice Organisations:
