Do we seek a comprehensive shalom in our own lives? |
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There are two kinds of peace in this world, Christian political theorist Anna J. Cooper once said. |
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One type of peace is produced by suppression—after enemies have been killed or crushed. The other comes when living and active forces, whether a nation or an individual, decide it’s time for a change. Or, in other words, when they find the "secret of true harmony in the determination to live and let live," Cooper wrote in her 1892 book A Voice from the South: By a Black Woman of the South. |
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After two years at war, Israel and Hamas recently agreed to a cease-fire that was orchestrated by President Donald Trump and brokered by international mediators. Dignitaries of Arab and Muslim-majority nations signed on to the deal as the two conflicting sides initiated the first of three phases to insure peace. |
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In the US, pundits across the political spectrum have praised the agreement. Even though I have my own criticisms of each side, I too find this to be a moment worthy of celebration. When peace is given a chance to transcend political interest, it’s nothing short of a divine act. |
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That being said, there are a lot of unresolved issues that lie ahead. And although I appreciate some harmony, I don’t have the faith—at least not yet—to believe this treaty will bring about a comprehensive peace. |
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A pastor and a friend, John Onwuchekwa, once said, "God is honored by a cease-fire. However, he is more honored when enemies become family." |
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That, in a nutshell, defines comprehensive peace or shalom, as it is called in Hebrew. It transforms nations and people, changing them from enemies to neighbors and friends. As a result, they are no longer ruled by the attributes of darkness but light. |
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In this fallen world, achieving this type of peace between two warring nations or people groups can be daunting. Without it, another type of peace motivated by politics and self-interests can work to some extent. However, it will only persist as long as those incentives exist. |
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But individual citizens, especially Christians who carry the message of reconciliation, can practice and preach a peace that is motivated by love. They can still proclaim a peace that endures because one is not only negotiating with enemies but also inviting them into a harmonious fellowship as neighbors. |
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Even though we rarely see a pursuit of this type of harmony on the national or international scene, Rwanda and South Africa are imperfect but valiant examples worth emulating. One country experienced a genocide; the other race-based apartheid. In the quest for repair, both nations acknowledged the truth of their atrocities while promoting a form of countercultural reconciliation. |
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There’s a lesson in there for all of us. A comprehensive pursuit of peace will seek the truth about the history and reasons for our tension. It does so primarily because we can’t find real reconciliation—or biblical justice—without telling the truth and exposing our warts (either past or present). |
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But at the same time, truth tellers of all types must know reconciliation can be severed by a Jonah-like disposition for vengeance that only desires destruction of their enemies. When love is overshadowed by anger, we become quick to speak, slow to listen, and instantly draw our weapons. |
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Consequently, we can exert negative influence on governments, which are often motivated by the desires of their people—including those who have vengeful impulses. A mob, after all, wanted to crucify Jesus (Luke 23:23). And while it’s to our benefit that he was crucified, it is also an example of how leaders can be pushed to satisfy the sinful preferences of those under their rule. |
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At this point, dear reader, you might be wondering how all this affects you. I think it’s quite easy to litigate conflicts when we don’t walk in the shoes of people who are affected. Many of us have our own opinions about geopolitics and peace there. But at the same time, we often refuse opportunities for comprehensive peace in our own lives. |
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While we have the obligation to critique national leaders for injustices, we also have the moral responsibility to evaluate ourselves: |
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Are there planks in our own eyes? Are we seeking justice and walking humbly in our own social circles? Are we repairing injustices done at work? Are our friend groups a reflection of the type of reconciliation we desire to see in the world? In what ways do we perpetuate disintegration? Do we strive to create spaces of hospitality for our neighbors and enemies, or do we simply hope to suppress and crush others? |
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If we do an honest assessment, I’m sure most of us will find areas in our lives where we fall short. Yet we have been empowered by God’s Spirit to practice peace and love as a demonstration of revolutionary reconciliation. So whether or not treaties hold up, let us be a paragon of hospitality and shalom, both in our homes and on the national stage. |
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Sho Baraka, editorial director, Big Tent Initiative: |
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Article pick: There is much discussion about artificial intelligence, Christian nationalism, and the Antichrist. This Wired piece by writer Laura Bullard about Peter Thiel’s clandestine lecture series is both thorough and alarming. It’s a good read on how influential people are shaping Christian thought. |
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Book pick: As a newly professed pacifist, I’ve taken up the task to reread Leo Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of God Is Within You. This book takes political nonviolence and peacekeeping to a revolutionary and scholarly level. |
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Haleluya Hadero, Black church editor: |
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Article pick: I recently came across a compelling article on Africa’s population boom written by The New York Times’ chief Africa correspondent, Declan Walsh. Walsh does a great job presenting the promises and the perils that lie ahead for the continent in a robustly reported (and visual) piece.
Song pick: CeCe Winans’s cover of "Holy Forever" has been on repeat on my playlist over the past few months. |
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MESSAGE FROM THE BIG TENT INITIATIVE |
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One of the privileges we have at the Big Tent Initiative is to expand access to stories and storytellers that CT’s audience might not otherwise encounter. We recently collaborated with the extraordinary 16-year NFL veteran, author, and speaker Benjamin Watson on a new podcast called The Just Life.
The Just Life is a conversation series that exposes problems of injustice, engages people making a difference, and explores practical ways to live justly in everyday life. You can listen to new episodes every Tuesday. |
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As we build this newsletter and Big Tent Initiative, we would love your feedback and engagement. We plan to publish articles, host webinars, create podcasts, and more to meet the needs of our Big Tent audiences. What are some topics that you would like us to address?
We also want to highlight what’s on our shelves, our playlists, and our screens. Share your list with us, and we will select a few to include in our next newsletter. Contact us at bigtent@christianitytoday.com. |
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The Christian story shows us that grace often comes from where we least expect. In this issue, we look at the corners of God’s kingdom and chronicle in often-overlooked people, places, and things the possibility of God’s redemptive work. We introduce the Compassion Awards, which report on seven nonprofits doing good work in their communities. We look at the spirituality underneath gambling, the ways contemporary Christian music was instrumental in one historian’s conversion, and the steady witness of what may be Wendell Berry’s last novel. All these pieces remind us that there is no person or place too small for God’s gracious and cataclysmic reversal. |
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CT Mosaic is a monthly newsletter that elevates the many voices and colors of God’s church. |
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