Peace and War in Christianity and Culture - Essay Example

The fundamental context all through the Mount Sermon is precise dictatorship on the ideal characteristics of the followers of Christ. In simpler words through the Sermon Jesus suggests a clear framework for the moral code of conduct for his followers. It gives instructions on the ways one must be different from the worldly thoughts of revenge, greed and hatred. To be more precise through the sermon Jesus is advocating a brand new version of love which the world had never heard of before. The Old Testament and the worldly rules of then never spoke of forgiveness and love with no barriers kept. It was generally based on a give and take principle. The followers of the older rules were only liable to love the ones who love them and to hate the ones with all their might, who hate them. It contained messages on war and a ‘hand for hand’ and ‘eye for eye’ policy. The Mount Sermon of Jesus Christ is a renovation of these laws transforming the world into a state of peace and tranquility. He wants his followers to behave in such a way that the world follows them in love. The Sermon further contains the way one must and must not reflect him or her in the society. In totality, the Mount Sermon is a guideline for the humanity to lead a life of peace. It teaches that mankind has to have a lead in the world, not through might but through peace and forgiveness. The sermon explains the way life must be changed for being in the grace of God. Interestingly, this piece of advice is well contained all through the sermon. The historic context of the sermon involves the desire of Jesus to set forth a new kingdom. Though this kingdom is of a spiritual context, it is to be achieved through the deeds and ways of the worldly human. Thus the rules and the preaching as made by Jesus in the Mount Sermon are quite relevant in the concurrent context of global peace and tranquility. The context of the message is thus not confined to the people of Israel, but to the whole world and its people. Thruston (350-52) has opined that the mount sermon does not merely relate with the ethics of a religion, but it acts as a catalyst in the shaping of the audience auditors in the direction of covenant faithfulness. This must be read together with the fact faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus would mean to be adhered with a policy of forgiveness directly leading to peace and tranquility. It must also be considered that it the shaping of individual charters that leads to the shaping of a good society and thus a good world. However, the spiritual context of the words of Jesus as cited in the Mount Sermon is quite complicated making it difficult to be interpreted literally. Thruston (350-52) has opined that “the sermon should not be interpreted literalistically—it is often vivid thought provoking hyperbole; it offers verbal icons enabling disciples to see into the divine reality of Gods unconditioned will. Character is then shaped as the disciple comes to see differently”. This point has suggested the complication in the implication of the principles of the Sermon of the Mount into the social context of peace and war. Thus it is not easy to conclude based upon the wordy meanings of the sermon, the generic approach of Christianity and Christian culture on peace and war. However, this complication does not mean that the context of the sermon is not relevant in a broader political, social and cultural scenario. Battle (48-56) is of the strong opinion that the Sermon on the Mount is not abstract idealism. The sermon poses questions and suggestions on the purpose and ways in which the society must be ordered and thus directly connects it to the political context (Battle ,48-56). Analyzing the preaching involved in the Mount Sermon in the context of this opinion, it can be found that the sermon is very much applicable in ordering the society towards a more peaceful one. It is the lack of spiritual, social and political order at varied levels which provokes war and puts the world into a state of insecurity. The Sermon on the Mount thus through putting the society into order negates the chances of social insecurity leading the world to peace and tranquility. Further Battle (48-56) opines that the sermon as it speaks of distribution of wealth; it serves as a call for social citizenship and local community development. This in a broader sense is a call for pace because most of the wars and conflicts in the world has aroused due to the inequity in distribution of wealth. The only difference in the reason for wars and conflicts had been the kind of wealth including; social wealth; geographical wealth and economic wealth. Thus the teachings of Jesus in the Mount Sermon have direct implications on the concurrent political and social scenarios. Apart from the theological and theocratic explanations on the social and cultural impact of the Mount Sermon on the social and cultural aspects, there are evidences for the sermon practically inspiring people against war and social suppressions. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, an active participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism, has been reported to have taken inspiration from the Mount Sermon. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, pointed out strongly that the teachings of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount is meant for our daily practice (Stassen, 89-105). The sermon was opined to be not merely ideals or general illustrations and has been explained by him as very much replicable in the social context (Stassen, 89-105). It must be noted that in the efforts against the might of the rule of Hitler, it was the Mount Sermon preaching which Dietrich Bonhoeffer used to get himself inspired and to inspire people against the peaceful movement against war and terror as dictated by Hitler. With reference to these facts and point of views, it can be concluded that the implication of Sermon on the Mount in influencing the approach of Christianity and the allied culture on war and peace had been immense. The teachings of Jesus in the Mount Sermon are very much applicable in the contemporary political developments across the globe. With tensions mounting in the boundaries of nations all across the globe, the world is always on threat of wars. With countries competing for economic, political, military, religious and geographic dominance over others, there is no wonder if another war is initiated abruptly. The same mode of tensions in varied levels is quite visible among individuals as well. In Mount Sermon, Jesus actually encourages his disciples to have love for each other and to get rid of the feeling of hatred. As he states that ‘those whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in the danger of the judgment” (Mathew 5:22). This should imply to all the contemporary situations of their beginning itself, as it is these conflicts which even can lead to a war or genocide. The viewpoint of Christianity towards peace and those who make peace and alternatively war and those who cause war has been very well reflected through the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God” (Mathew 5:9). This verse asserts on the importance of peace as for the principles of Christianity. When it’s said that the peacemakers would be called the children of God, it in other terms express the concerns on war and the strong message to the world for not being the makers of conflicts and wars. It has been further quoted in the sermon that “But I say to you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Mathew 5: 39). This is strong call demanding forgiveness. Forgiveness begins amongst persons and extends to a community which resultantly can avert conflicts and wars. The need of forgiveness is further asserted in the Mount sermon. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”, (Mathew 5: 44). There can be no better message of love which can help the world get rid of all insecurities it faces now. Implying this to the contemporary global scenarios, if the Israelites can love Palatines and vice versa, and if all the neighbors of the world in terms of nations, states and individuals starts loving each other, world would be a peaceful place to live in. There would be no hatred and thus no wars. It must also be considered that all through the sermon, Jesus talks to the world, not merely to the multitudes of Israelis which heard him that day. Thus it can be taken to heart by all human in the world. More interesting is the fact that the sermon has been so generic that it is quite relevant in the contemporary world and the current issues. Thus in conclusion, the teachings of Jesus through the Mount Sermon have left a strong message of peace implacable to all societies and persons in the world. The sermon has clearly reflected the viewpoint of Christianity and the allied culture on war and peace. Works Cited Battle, John., “The Sermon On The Mount And Political Ethics”, Studies in Christian Ethics, 22.1 (2009) 48-56 Matthew (5:8-48), The Bible, The British & Foreign Bible Society, Camebridge: 1985 Stassen, Glen Harold, “Healing the Rift Between The Sermon On The Mount And Christian Ethics”, Studies in Christian Ethics, 18.3, (2005) 89-105 Thurston, Bonnie. “Reading the Sermon on the Mount: Character Formation and Decision Making in Matthew 5-7”, Cistercian Studies Quarterly, 42.3, (2007) 350-352, Read More