Passing the Peace (a.k.a. the Holy Howdy)

Many churches have a tradition of people in the congregation greeting each other. Some people shake hands and say hello, while others share the "peace of the Lord." What is this sharing of the peace? It is actually a custom that has been part of the service since Biblical times and has a specific purpose. It is not simply a friendly hello to your church family that you haven't seen for a week. It is also not a time for catching up or visiting, or even discussing church matters. Lastly it does not need to be extended to every other person in the worship service.

Sharing God’s peace with one another is an act of reconciliation that has its roots is in the words of Jesus Himself. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5:23-24, he says "So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to you brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift". Likewise, Paul, in Ephesians 4:32 says to "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." In the Didache, an early Christian writing nearly as old as many of the New Testament writings, Christians are told to "come together on the Lord’s day, having first confessed your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. Anyone who has a quarrel with his fellow should not gather with you until he has been reconciled, lest your sacrifice be profaned."

The tradition of sharing the peace was originally called the "kiss of peace," because people kissed each other when they exchanged the words, "The peace of the Lord be with you."  The kiss of peace showed that the congregation was unified in faith.  Basically, the idea is that you don't kiss and say something nice to someone with whom you're having a fight. 

Some churches today "pass the peace" at the very beginning of the service, before the invocation so that they do not gather for worship without reconciliation. Some also feel that it is less disruptive to do it at the beginning, than in the middle of the service.  In some places, the exchange of peace comes later in the service.  Some do it right after the intercessory prayer and before the offering is gathered. This is to live out the prayers for peace that were just prayed as well as reconciling before, "offering your gift at the altar" as Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount. Lastly, many do it right before the distribution of Holy Communion. This is because unity is required when communing.  When you receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Lord's Supper, he unites you not only with himself, but with everyone else who has received it. People who greet each other with the peace of the Lord show that they recognize and welcome this unity.

Even if a church doesn't do it formally as part of the service, it is important to ask oneself as preparation for the service and the Lord's Supper, if there is anyone we are in conflict with and fix that broken relationship so that you can be united with your Lord and your brother or sister. Lastly, making peace is a continual action for us. We should not wait Sunday morning to make peace with our neighbors. Sharing God’s peace is a daily opportunity.

Peace

The previous posts have been about why bad things happen, arguments, and war, so it seems natural to follow them up with a study of peace. First of all, the question is often asked why God did not get rid of all of those bad things. However, these things are in the world as a consequence of sin and are the fault of us humans. Jesus came to defeat the sin, death, and the devil and get rid of the root cause of the problems, but the consequences will still remain until the last day, when His ultimate solution is fulfilled. Jesus even warned us of this.

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. -Luke 12:51

  
What is peace? Peace is defined as: "Freedom from or the cessation of war or violence." Because we do not keep God's law perfectly, we are at  war with God. Jesus came to make peace between us, that is, to get us to stop our war against him. He does this by giving us faith in him, so that we can trust him. This reconciles us to Him. 

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. –Ephesians 2:13-16

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1

Also, because of our disobedience, there must be a punishment, since God is just. However, Jesus took our place, so by His blood God is reconciled to us. 

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. -Colossians 1:20

How do we receive this peace? How do we continue in it and get more of it? It is from God and it is tied to doctrine and the two enforce each other. Peace will help keep you in the faith and holding fast to the teachings of Christ will bring more peace.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. -Philippians 4:7-9

However, since we are still sinners, being at peace with him is an ongoing process and is part of sanctification. Therefore, we must stay in the word and continue to receive forgiveness through the sacraments.

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. – 1 Peter 1:2

Now that God has put to an end our war with him, he also wants us to put to an end our war with each other. God wants us to have peace with our fellow believers.  He wants peace in His Church. Since, we just read that peace comes through the Word, this means that the Church should be unified around what God teaches us.

Be at peace among yourselves. -1 Thessalonians 5:13

be at peace with one another. –Mark 9:50

Besides just being at peace among other Christians, we should individually strive to live quiet lives not being at odds with other people in general.

let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. -1 Peter 3:11

Strive for peace with everyone -Hebrews 12:14

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. –Romans 12:18

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9

Lastly, God's peace should give us internal peace. Even though bad things happen, we can be at peace, knowing that we have salvation in the Lord.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. -2 Thessalonians 3:16

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33

Just War Theory 3 - After War

Justice After War

In a previous post I discussed just reasons for going to war. Last post, I discussed just actions during war. This post will discuss just actions at the end or and after war. When victory has been achieved, it is required to offer mercy and peace to those who surrender.

Just cause for termination

There are two just reasons to end a just war. The first, is when the war is won and the aggressor is willing to negotiate the terms of surrender. These terms of surrender include a formal apology, compensations, war crimes trials, and rehabilitation. The second, is if it becomes clear that any just goals of the war cannot be reached at all or cannot be reached without using excessive force.

Right intention

After the war, revenge by either side is not allowed. The winning side must also be willing to apply the same level of objectivity and investigation into any war crimes its armed forces may have committed.

Public declaration and authority

The terms of peace must be negotiated, made, and accepted by legitimate authorities on both sides.

Discrimination

The winning side is to differentiate between political and military leaders, and combatants and civilians. Punitive measures are to be limited to those directly responsible for the conflict.

Proportionality

Any terms of surrender must be proportional to the rights that were initially violated.

Just War Theory 2 - Actions During War

Just Actions During War (jus in bello)

Last post, just reason for going to war were discussed. This post, I have listed the commonly accepted criteria for what constitutes just actions during that just war.

Distinction

Behavior during a just war should be led by the principle of distinction. Every reasonable effort must be made to protect civilians and target the opposing military.

Proportionality

Just war conduct should be governed by the principle of proportionality. An attack cannot be launched on a military objective in the knowledge that the incidental civilian injuries would be clearly excessive in relation to the anticipated military advantage (principle of proportionality).

Military necessity

Just war conduct should be limited to the  minimum force necessary. to ensure military defeat, not national destruction. This is to limit excessive and unnecessary death and destruction.

Fair treatment of prisoners of war

Enemy soldiers who surrendered or who are captured no longer pose a threat. It is therefore wrong to kill them, torture them or otherwise mistreat them.

No means

Soldiers may not use methods of warfare which are considered as evil, such as rape, torture, or forcing soldiers to fight against their own side. Luther says, "one must beware of sin and not violate wives and virgins."

Just War Theory 1 - Reasons for War

One of the evils that comes from the arguments discussed in the last post, and is what many people have in mind when they ask why bad things happen, is war. Here are the commonly accepted criteria for a just war.

The Just Way to go to War (jus ad bellum)

Martin Luther believed, as do I, that war for the sake of religion is always wrong, This is because it confused the two Kingdoms. "The emperor's sword has nothing to do with the faith," Luther said.  There is, therefore, a difference between a just war and a holy war.

Because it is in the prevue of the nation to wage wars, it is a valid and God-pleasing vocation of a soldier to fight for his country. However, it is also acceptable for a soldier to refrain from fighting in an unjust, or holy war.  The soldier should "with all possible diligence find out" whether a war in which he was called to fight was just or not. But, what if the soldier is not sure about the moral status of the war? If a soldier does not know and cannot find out the moral status of the conflict, the soldier may obey the prince and he does so without peril to his soul. He should not forfeit certain obedience for the sake of uncertain justice. He should rather, out of love (1 Cor 13:47), give his ruler the benefit of the doubt.

Just cause

The reason for going to war needs to be just and just for taking land that has been taken from you or to punish people who have done wrong. Innocent life must be in  danger and intervention must be intended to protect life. A contemporary view of just cause was expressed in 1993 when the US Catholic Conference said: "Force may be used only to correct a grave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive violation of the basic human rights of whole populations."

Comparative justice

While there may be rights and wrongs done on both sides of a conflict that leads to war, to justly resort to military force, the injustice suffered by one party must significantly outweigh that suffered by the other.

Competent authority

A just war, according to Luther, must be first of all waged by the lawful ruler.  That means that only duly constituted public authorities may wage war.

Right/Just intention

Force may be used for a just cause as described above and only with the right intention.  The right intention must only be correcting a ongoing suffered wrong in justice, not in retribution.  Also, there must be no intention of material gain or even maintaining the economy. The intention of war should be to bring peace and to protect civilians

Probability of success

Arms may not be used in a futile cause or in a case where disproportionate measures are required to achieve success.

Last resort

The ruler must seriously try to settle the conflict by means of diplomacy, legality, sanctions, and every other viable peaceful alternative first, and only use force as a last resort.

Proportionality

The anticipated benefits of the war must be proportional to its anticipated costs and harms. This principle is also known as the principle of macro-proportionality. The use of arms must not produce evils larger than the evil to be eliminated. The ends do not justify the means.

Limited Objective

Luther states explicitly, "whoever starts a war is in the wrong," All permitted military action must be defensive, that is, it must be a war in response to prior attack or evil.

James 4:1-12 - Disagreements

• Opening question: What causes fights and arguments with you and your friends?
• Verses 1-5 and list all of the sins or bad things in the passage.
• Verse 6 – The root of all sin is pride
• see CS Lewis Mere Christianity chapter 8
• What about the seven deadly sins?
• Verse 3 – Does Matthew 7:7-8 said God will always give you what you want?
• Right vs. wrong motivation.
• Verse 5 – What does this verse mean?  Which spirit?  God breathing into us our human spirit or Holy Spirit?  Context before and after support different views.
• Verses 7-10 – Written in the command or imperative form of the language.  10 commands are given, calling for immediate action.
• There is a reward at end of verse 10 also.
• This section written in Paul’s famous “since…therefore” form.  
• Verses 11-12 – Judgment verses in Bible have been misused.  We live in a world of so much “don’t judge me” that we have lost our judgment.  It is okay to reproach someone in a Christian manner and tell them they have done wrong.  If the Bible tells us something is wrong then it is, that is not judgment. Judgment is trying to discern what is in someone's heart. You cannot know what is in a persons heart.

Apologetics 8 - The Problem of Pain/Evil and the Solution



Why do bad things happen to good people?

First of all, what good people? Everyone is sinful and deserves God's punishment. It is no surprise that God allows very bad things to happen to some, what is amazing is that extremely bad things don’t happen to everyone. But where do these bad things come from? As, Christians, we do not believe that God does evil things to people since God is good. We, therefore, often resort to cliché answers about why bad things happen to good people, such as it was meant to be, things happen for a reason, or God has a plan. Those have never been very satisfying to me. What about murder, rape, adultery, and all of the other things God forbids? Is it His plan that these things happen, even if we deserve them? Did he cause them? Did they really happen for a good reason? To know this, two other things must first be discussed? Did God create evil, and if not, why does he allow it?

Did God Create Evil?

The common argument for this is:

God is the source of all that exists

Evil Exists

Therefore, God is the source of evil

What is evil? Evil is just a perversion or a lack of what is good and perfect. God did create a perfect universe without evil in it. It was perfect when created. God created the capacity for evil and corruption (ie. the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil), or Adam’s obedience would be meaningless. Perfection would require the opportunity to reject that which is perfect. That opportunity was taken by Adam and Eve. As a consequence we are all born with Original Sin, and into Total Depravity. We are no longer perfect. God could have miraculously started over, but to what end? The fall would have come again. However, knowing we are fallen and the source of pain should make us confess and repent, as well as show us our need for a savior.

Why does God allow pain and suffering?

This immediately creates another problem:

God is Omnipotent (All Powerful)

God is Omnibenevolent (All Good)

Evil Exists

This only implies contradiction. To make it implicit instead of just implied, some assumptions must be added. The argument would then state:

If God were good he would not want people to suffer.

If God could do anything, he would stop suffering.

Suffering exists, therefore, God lacks either goodness, or he is not all powerful.

At most, two of the three can be true, so at least one must be false. Yet, a Christian would claim that all three original statements are true. Thus, we will look at the two assumptions:

1.    An omnibenevolent being would want to eliminate evil.

2.    An omnipotent being could do anything.

The Muslim conception of God easily renders the first argument false. As Christians we will accept the first, stating that God, by nature, opposes evil and does desire its end with his perceptive will. However God has two distinct types of wills:

Perceptive Will – What God wants man to do.

Decretive Will – What God will do.

God's perceptive will is that people help each other, rather than inflict harm on each other during all times of human history. God's decretive will is that through His son's death and resurrection, He has defeated sin, death, and the devil. This will be fully realized on the last day, when there is no more pain or suffering.

The second premise then, must be false. For this to be so, the proper understanding of omnipotence must be different than at first apparent. We usually think of it as meaning “no limits”. This is not so. God can only do whatever does not contradict his nature or what is self-contradictory. For example, can God create something so heavy that he cannot lift it? This is meaningless. It is a trick of words and language.

• God can’t count to infinity.

• God can’t create a being greater than himself.

• God can’t change or oppose his nature.

• He can’t lie.

• He can’t be unfaithful to his promises.

• God can’t change the past.

• God can’t cease to exist.

• God can’t make a circle whose center isn’t equidistant to all points on its circumference.

• God can’t change the way nature is, or human nature.

Therefore

God did not create evil, nor does he wish it, or cause it. In fact, he opposes it and hates it. He does have a plan, however, and can use it for good, when it does happen. God also has a plan to eliminate suffering and evil for all time, that has already been accomplished, but is yet to be fulfilled (as it will on the last day). To turn the argument around, the fact that not all people perish and go to hell proves that God is good.