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15 unique facts about peace. Sections
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one and two. Sources: Bible, history,
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Jewish tradition, early Christian
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A section one, introduction. Why peace
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The first announcement of Christmas was
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not to kings or priests, but to
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shepherds, symbolizing that God's peace
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is offered to the ordinary and the
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Source: Luke 2:8:14. Historical context
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of shepherds being socially low status.
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The angelic phrase peace on earth
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mirrors ancient Roman declarations of
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the Pax Romana, but contrasts it by
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offering a peace not built on armies or
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Source: Luke 21:14, historical context,
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Augustus's Pax Romana, 27 BC.
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In the ancient world, peace was usually
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defined politically, but the Bible
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redefes peace spiritually as
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reconciliation between God and humanity.
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Source: Romans 5:1, Isaiah 53:5.
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Christmas highlights a paradox. The
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Prince of Peace was born in a violent,
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divided world under Roman occupation,
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showing that peace does not require
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perfect circumstances.
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Sources: Historical context of first
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century Judea. Luke 2. Early Christians
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believed the birth of Jesus marked the
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beginning of a new creation where God's
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peace would eventually restore
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everything broken by sin.
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Source: Church fathers, Irenaeus, Justin
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Martyr, Romans 8:19:21.
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The Hebrew expectation of the Messiah
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included a hope for national peace. But
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Jesus brought a deeper peace. Peace
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within the human heart.
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Source: Isaiah 9:6 John 14:27.
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The Christmas story begins with fear. Do
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not be afraid because true peace always
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begins where fear is confronted by God's
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B. Section 2. The biblical meaning of
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peace. Shalom and Irenei.
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The Hebrew word shalom appears over 250
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times in the Old Testament and describes
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wholeness, harmony, prosperity, and
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completeness, not simply the absence of
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Source: OT word studies Jewish
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In ancient Jewish culture, shalom was
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used as both a greeting and a blessing,
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invoking God's presence and well-being
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Source: Rabbitic tradition examples in
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Judges 6:23 and 1st Samuel 25:6.
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The famous priestly blessing, the Lord
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give you peace, was spoken daily in the
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temple, teaching Israel that peace comes
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from God's face turning toward his
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Source number 62 24-26 Jewish Temple
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Shalom in the prophets describes the
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restored world God will one day bring
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where justice, righteousness, and peace
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Source: Isaiah 11:6-9 Micah 4:14.
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The Greek word Irene, New Testament,
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emphasizes reconciliation,
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peace between God and humans through
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Jesus death and resurrection.
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Source: Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:14:18.
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Early Christians used the phrase grace
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and peace to open letters because they
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believed peace was the immediate fruit
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of receiving God's grace.
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Source: Greetings in Paul's letters. In
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Greek culture, peace was often viewed as
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a temporary ceasefire. But the New
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Testament transformed the word to
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reflect inner transformation and
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restored relationship.
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Source: Hellenistic historical context,
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Rabbitic tradition described the Messiah
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as the one who would restore full shalom
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to the world. And Jesus fulfills this
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title as the prince of peace.
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Source: Isaiah 9:6, Jewish Messianic
