Well, I meant to post this at Christmas, but Christmas got in the way.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:13-14 KJV)
Its such a familiar passage, and such a beloved one the first Christmas angels wonderful, universal message of Gods peace for all people. For many its a timeless source of hope and comfort in a troubled world.
But Im always here to complicate the simple and cast doubt on the blatantly obvious
I really love this passage, but it raises some difficult questions for me. Where is this long-promised peace? Is it really for everyone? And does the peace Jesus brings look anything like the kind we expect and want?
So my initial and somewhat cynical reaction to the angels message is Peace on earth? Fat chance. Looking around at the world, the ancient promise of peace can seem pretty hollow at best an idealistic pipe-dream that can never become reality.
Right now I see the unending tragic bloodbath of Syrias civil war, in turn helping fuel an ever-worsening refugee crisis as well as terrible terrorist atrocities, in turn encouraging the rise of right-wing extremist parties in Europe. I see a divided UK post-Brexit, a divided US post-election, an unravelling Europe, a terrifyingly unstable Middle East, and a frighteningly autocratic and aggressive Russia.
And looking inward at my own heart and life I often see precious little peace there either. I see a legion of anxieties, fears, stresses, guilt and countless other things that make for un-peace.
So, over two thousand years since the Christmas angels first brought their words of hope, why are we still not seeing the peace they promised?
Of course, the promise could just be a lie, or perhaps a mistake but I dont really believe that.
It could be merely a salutation or greeting the heavenly equivalent of Hello or Happy Christmas! Thats more plausible, but I still dont quite buy it.
Perhaps were simply still waiting for the promised peace to come.
Or perhaps and I think this is most likely weve simply misunderstood the peace the angels are promising and how to enter into it. Perhaps Gods peace has already come to us, but its not how we imagined so we miss it.
In the King James translation its on earth peace, goodwill toward men unequivocal, universal and inclusive. But have a look at the New International Version (henceforth the Not Inclusive Version):
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to all on whom his favour rests.
Looking at this youd hardly know it was the same verse of Scripture in the NIV it has become a limited and exclusive peace only for those whom God specially favours. How do we make any sense of this?
Im not a Greek scholar, but looking at other versions you get the impression the translators are struggling to make sense of an unclear clause which can be read in various ways. Some have a half-way version: Peace to all men of goodwill (or men of favour).
So its either Gods peace and goodwill (favour) to all men, or its Gods peace to all men of goodwill (favour). And if its the latter, it could either be peace to the people whom he favours, or to those who embody goodwill.
This highlights to me one of the problems of relying on the Bible as our sole source of truth, because in some key places like this its meaning is unclear and ambiguous.
So which version is true? I think this is where you have to decide what kind of God you believe in. Is he a God who only cares for a limited few, perhaps only those who believe in him or follow his ways? Or is he a God whose mercy and grace are unbounded and for all?
For me it has to be the latter. It must be peace and goodwill for all, not merely a few. Perhaps not all will want it or accept it, but it is freely offered and available to all, always.
Ive said that maybe we dont see the angels promised peace because it isnt the kind we expect.
Perhaps the peace Jesus brings is not an overwhelming peace that forces itself on our notice, a peace that everyone can see and that we cannot help but receive. Perhaps it is rather a quiet, hidden, even shy peace which we have to discover and nurture for ourselves, and within ourselves.
A little paradoxically, I also believe that Gods peace shalom is an active, living thing, the vibrant presence of his life and love and hope. Gods peace is not merely a passive or empty thing, an absence of conflict and strife.
Indeed, Gods peace is most present and active in the midst of our troubles. It does not take away the turbulence and turmoil of life on this earth but transforms and redeems it from within. In this world you will have trouble, says Jesus (none too comfortingly), But take heart I have overcome the world.
I also suspect that Gods peace may be something we have to welcome actively it doesnt always occur in us automatically.
But this can be hard. The path to healing and so to true peace often requires us first to open ourselves up to pain, perhaps the pain of acknowledging things about ourselves and our lives that wed do almost anything to avoid facing. So we too often lock ourselves away in refuges which become prisons. God calls to us to come out, anduntil we do we are not truly at peace.
The other thing is that Jesus peace is not always obviously desirable. It can be deeply troublesome to any who have a vested interest in the current world order, the status quo. Perhaps this is how Jesus, the promised Prince of Peace, can proclaim I have not come to bring peace but a sword. His peace is paradoxical, sometimes problematic and even divisive.
Gods peace is available to all, but not all wantit. I believe God is seeking people of peace, or people of goodwill; people who truly desire the kind of life and world that God offers and are prepared to work with him to bring it about. God excludes no-one, but perhaps we may exclude ourselves if we wish.
So in response to the angels message, I acknowledge that all too often Im not a person of peace, and that too often I do shut myself out of the peace God wants to bring to the world. I pray that I thatwe all will be able truly to welcome Gods active, living, surprising peace within our hearts, our homes, our work, our worries, our weaknesses and problems, the whole messy reality of our lives.
And I wish you all a truly peaceful and happy New Year.
Like Loading...
Read more:
The Evangelical Liberal | Reclaiming and re-imagining ...
- Paul Krugman - The Conscience of a Liberal [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2016]
- Liberal Democrat Voice [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2016]
- Urban Dictionary : liberal [Last Updated On: December 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 12th, 2016]
- READ MORE : Liberal groups want delay of Sessions' hearing [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2017]
- What Is a Liberal - What Is Liberal Bias [Last Updated On: January 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2017]
- Liberal Party of Australia - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2017]
- Conservatives reject liberal humor in Trump era: Dave Berg - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Liberal Judicial Activism Borders On Insurrection - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Liberal Fake News Reportedly Growing - Yahoo News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- House Science Chairman Sees Liberal Cover-Up on Warming Pause - Scientific American [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Furious Liberal MPs turn on 'rat' Cory Bernardi - The Australian Financial Review [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- 'Rallying point': Abbott to headline conservative Liberal fundraiser in Melbourne - The Age [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- I'm A Liberal, And I Want Milo Yiannopoulos On My Campus - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Cory Bernardi says he resents being used in Liberal party 'proxy war' - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- HuffPo's New Editor In Chief Is Already Undoing Arianna's Liberal Legacy - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Why Are Liberals Surprised by the Senate Confirmation of DeVos? - National Review [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Liberal Hashtag #NotMySuperBowlChamps Protests Patriots' Support of Trump - Fox News Insider [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- All liberals are hypocrites. I know because I am one - Quartz [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- '9th Circus'? Scholars Say Court's Liberal Rep Is Overblown - ABC News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Economic freedom - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2017]
- Liberal land - Richfield Reaper [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Liberal groups file lawsuit to block Trump's deregulation order - Washington Examiner [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Strategies for Saving the Liberal Arts - Inside Higher Ed (blog) [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- This day in Liberal Judicial ActivismFebruary 9 - National Review [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- The Marco Rubio knockdown of Elizabeth Warren no liberal media outlet will cover - Conservative Review [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker proposes surprisingly liberal budget - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Why the liberal world order is worth saving - Irish Times [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Tim Scott reads racist tweets by 'liberal left' over support for Jeff Sessions - Washington Times [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Five tips on having a safe conversation with your liberal spouse or conservative brother - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Why Liberal Policies Are Terrible For Young People - Power Line (blog) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Trevor Bauer goes on long rant defending tweet about liberal bias - Yahoo Sports [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Liberal Tolerance: Sen. Tim Scott Reads His Hate Mail On Senate Floor For Supporting Sessions As AG - Townhall [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Claws Out For Ivanka Trump Show Liberal Love For Women Is A Sham - The Federalist [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Trump Takes a Running Whack at the Liberal Interventionists - The Nation. [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Networks Swoon Over GOP 'Feeling the Wrath' of Liberal Town Hall Protesters - NewsBusters (blog) [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Liberals, don't fall into the right's 'identity politics' trap - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Liberal pledge: Revamp for 69 outdated schools in $560 million spend - Perth Now [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Indians swept by Liberal in WAC action - Hays Daily News [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Trump's attacks on the press and how the liberal media myth has empowered him - Salon [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The Paranoid Style of Anti-Trump Politics - National Review [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- What the Liberal-One Nation preference deal could mean at the ballot box - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Finley: Left bites Ivanka's liberal hand - The Detroit News [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- A new, liberal tea party is forming. Can it last without turning against Democrats? - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Since When Is Being a Woman a Liberal Cause? - The New York ... - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- This liberal Brooklynite is on the hunt for conservative friends - New York Post [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Small-l liberal voters have been abandoned in the race to the right - The Sydney Morning Herald [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Rich, Liberal Celebrities Lecture and Claim to Stand for 'We the People' at the 2017 Grammys - NewsBusters (blog) [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- WA One Nation candidates refuse to preference Liberals - ABC Online [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- India's liberal bubble has shrunk to irrelevance in the age of Narendra Modi - Quartz [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Liberal superhero Justin Trudeau is not immune to the forces of Trump - CNN [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- A new satire must emerge one that breaks out of the liberal bubble - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- A liberal Tea Party, the pope helps spring a terrorist and other notable commentary - New York Post [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- At Ole Miss, a Liberal Agitator's Education - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- Liberal Frenzy: 'Impeach' Trump; 'Traitor! Resign by Morning' - CNSNews.com [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Chelsea Clinton future run for political shunned by liberal activists ... - Washington Times [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- One Nation could gain more than the Liberals from Western Australia seats deal - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Conservatives: Walker's budget plan is anything but 'liberal' - Watchdog.org [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Trump Says Liberal Media 'Going Crazy With Blind Hatred' - Daily Caller [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- I'm a bleeding-heart liberal cleric but the Church of England must not accept gay marriage - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- What's a Liberal to Do When His Spouse Is a Trump Zealot? - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Liberal Activists Join Forces Against a Common Foe: Trump - New York Times [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- John Howard backs Liberal preference deal with One Nation in WA - The Guardian [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Liberal ex-MP who called party a 'gay club' likely to be kicked out - The Australian Financial Review [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- New Liberal PAC Targets Democrats for Primaries - NBCNews.com [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- 'Liberals will continue to lose': Bill Maher defends Milo Yiannopoulos booking after panelist boycotts - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Whatever happened to liberal Democrats, anyway? - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Sportswriting Has Become a Liberal Profession Here's How It Happened - The Ringer (blog) [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- If the Church of England continues to smother liberal Anglicans, it is heading for a split - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- Major liberal group opposes Gorsuch confirmation - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 16th, 2017]
- The True Origins of the Phrase 'Bleeding-Heart Liberal' - Atlas Obscura [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Liberals, Tories spar over Islamophobia motion in full-day debate - The Globe and Mail [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Where Have All the Liberal Democrats Gone? - Townhall [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Vicious attacks on Ivanka Trump exposes liberal hypocrisy - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Can Emmanuel Macron win? Why France is ripe for a liberal resurgence - New Statesman [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Victorian Liberals: factional fight exposes deep divisions - The Age [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- 10 Unfortunate Liberal Myths Conservatives Often Believe - Observer [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Terri Lovell: Liberal oppression - Santa Clarita Valley Signal [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Where's the liberal outrage over civil liberties in the Flynn case? - Minneapolis Star Tribune [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Liberal, conservative Jews in US increasingly divided over Trump - Chicago Tribune [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Anti-Islamophobia debate might define both Liberals and Conservatives - CBC.ca [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]