Shalom
Nov 14th 2005Stephen::Theology
I always knew that shalom meant more than peace. We have this tendency to individualise when we do theology. We also don’t often go very deep. The totality of shalom incorporates wholeness on every level, relational, social, economic, political and so on. It is a powerful concept, sadly reduced to a sense of inner well being.
It is beautiful and wonderful when considered in it’s fullness.
What I didn’t know until yesterday was the New Testament equivalent. The Greek word for peace used in the New Testament can be readily translated as “one”.
Intriguing. In context, the New Testament notion of peace is about bringing all of the broken bits of the whole, back together, to make them “one”. The thought struck me as I had not considered this aspect of peace. It is about all that has been broken, shattered and distorted, being brought back together, being made whole, as per the Old Testament concept. Being made “one”.
Blessed are the peacemakers takes on a more beautiful demeanor, and it makes God’s “peace” something more strong. In my mind anyway.