Denver Community of Christ

Advocate of Peace

What is Peace and Justice?

What Is Peace and Justice?
All persons are of great worth in the sight of God. There can be no exceptions anywhere, at anytime.
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 holistic 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."

Links

Peace and Justice