MODULE 4
TOPIC 3: JUSTICE AND PEACE
The Meaning of Peace
• Harmony among people
• Absence of hostility and war i.e. non violence
• Being reconciled to God through Christ
• Inward experience of forgiveness and confession
Definition of the term justice;
• The quality or fact of being just
• A particular distribution of benefits or resources fairly with a particular conception of what to
count as like cases.
• The administration of law according to prescribed and accepted principles
• To act or treat others fairly
Biblical Teachings on Issues of Justice and Peace
1. Harmonious Living
Psalm 23
The Psalmist uses images to show that the man who trusts in God will experience peace.
• Green Pastures-God gives to the man who trusts him all that he needs.
• Still Waters-Waters of rest where one can be at peace
• Paths of Righteousness- God is ready to help us in our efforts to become the persons we
are called to be.
• Preparing a Meal/Table-Eating is a sign of security and rejoicing. The man who lives in
the presence of God can afford to be relaxed and at peace.
Isaiah 11:1-10
The prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) who will help people to
live in harmony among themselves and with the rest of God’s creation. Because the Messiah will
be just, have the right understanding of relationships and have the power to overcome man’s
inability to live as brothers, he will bring peace and harmony. The verses depicting concord in
the animal world (verses 6-9) suggest a return to the paradise described in Genesis 1:29-30,
where man and the rest of God’s creation live in harmony with one another. The messianic era,
with the forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God and the reign of justice, will put an end to
wars and discord.
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Revelation 21:1-5
The new heaven and the earth represent the new creation which will come with the fulfillment
of the kingdom. All that saddens our lives now, evil, pain, sorrow, suffering and death, will
disappear. Man will be at peace with each other, with God and with God’s creation.
2. Acceptable Human Relationships
Isaiah 58:1-12
The Israelites were so proud of their life of fasting and prayer. They were expecting approval
(from God) of this way of life as they did not realize how far they were from living humanly.
Those who fasted and came to the temple for prayers did not think of helping the poorer
members of the community. The kind of fasting which is pleasing to God is to share with the
underprivileged/the poor. Acts of love and mercy please God. The prophet says that God will
give peace and joy to anyone who sincerely seeks brotherly relationships with others.
Amos 5:7-15
The prophet Amos condemned the injustices committed by the Israelites. Those responsible for
administering justice were taking bribes, disputes were not settled fairly and the rich were
getting richer at the expense of the poor. According to the prophet, God wants the Israelites to
seek good and not evil so that they may live and that they should establish justice at the gate.
Zechariah 7:8-10
And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah saying. “Thus says the Lord of Hosts:’
• Render true judgments
• Show kindness and mercy each to his brother
• Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor
• And let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart.
[Link] Separates man from God
Isaiah 59:1-4
Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save,
Or his ear dull that it cannot hear;
But your iniquities has made a separation between you and your God
And your sins have hid his face from you so that he does not hear
For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity
Your lips have spoken lies. They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity
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2 Samuel 12:1-15
Nathan like any other prophet wanted to help his people to have good relationships with each
other. When David unjustly took Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife) and arranged for Uriah to be killed at
the battle field, Prophet Nathan condemned this act of David. He goes about it cleverly, telling
David the story about a rich man who stole by force the only lamb of a poor man. David is
indignant about the story and declares that the rich man should be punished/killed. Nathan then
turns the story on David who himself is the rich man who has acted unjustly.
Matthew 5:1-11. The Beatitudes
The beatitudes are Jesus’ teachings about how to achieve happiness and peace through our
experiences. They are as follows:
• Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted
• Blessed are the meek/gentle for they shall inherit the earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied
• Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy
• Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God
• Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God
• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake for theirs is the kingdom
of heaven
• Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in
heaven.
Matthew 5:17-48
The whole reading is a teaching about how to achieve peace and maintain Justice in the society.
All in all, it is against revenge and it emphasizes doing good to others even those who hurt us.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF CHRISTIANITY TO JUSTICE AND PEACE IN THE SOCIETY
1. POLITICAL ACTIVISM
1.1Champions of justice e.g Martin Luther King Jnr, Desmond Tutu, Mother Theresa, Dom Helder
Camara, Pope Paul, Jessie Jackson, Allan Boesak, Frank Chikane, etc.
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The following are some Christians who have done a lot in their communities, fighting for justice and
peace.
(a)Martin Luther King Jnr
• he fought for the equality and dignity for the black Americans in the U.S.A
• he used non-violent methods, protest marches
• he believed that his method was based on the Gospel
• he was the leader of the civil rights movement
• he worked for desegregation in buses and shops
• his ‘I have a Dream’ speech is well known
• he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964
• his followers had to abide by the commitment pledge
• he was assassinated in 1968
The Commitment Pledge of Martin Luther King:
1) Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus
2) Remember always that the non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation, not
victory.
3) Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love
4) Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free
5) Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free
6) Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy
7) Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world
8) Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue or heart
9) Strive toe in spiritual and bodily health
10) Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain of the demonstration
(b)Desmond Tutu
• He was born in 1931
• He is a South African activist and a retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame
in the 1980s as an opponent of Apartheid
• He urged foreign disinvestment in South Africa as a way to pressurize the government to
dismantle Apartheid.
• Involved in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa.
• He was the first South African Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa and the primate of
the church of the province of Southern Africa(The Anglican Church of Southern Africa)
• He has been active in the defense of human rights
• He uses his high profile to campaign for the oppressed
• He has campaigned against AIDS. TB, homophobia, transphobia, poverty and racism
• He has compiled several books of his speeches and sayings
• He received the following awards:
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I. Nobel Peace prize in 1984
II. The Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism in 1986
III. The Pacem in Terris Award in 1987,
IV. The Sydney Peace prize in 1999
V. The Gandhi Peace Prize in 2005
VI. The Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009
1.2 Abortion bill
The church opposed the abortion bill in the early 90s where abortion was to be legalized in Botswana.
They addressed the issue as a united body in order to disapprove the legalization of abortion in
Botswana and consequently succeeded in making sure that the bill does not become a law.
1.3 Clergy as political observers
The church could take part in observing the smooth running of elections, for example the Botswana
2014 general elections are observed by different organizations including ecumenical movements.
1.4 The church members get to prisoners, counseling and rehabilitating them
By visiting prisoners that shows compassion and care for those that are in problems, therefore they will
experience joy and peace.
Christians can also ask for pardon or clemency for prisoners. Christians guide and counsel prisoners in
preparation for reintegration into society.
2. Christian Teachings
• The Golden rule; Matthew 7: 12 “ Do to others what you would have them do to you “
• The Ten Commandments; Exodus 20:13-16 : do not kill
• The Beatitudes; Matthew 5: 3-16: happy are the meek/ gentle for they shall inherit the earth.
Through these teachings, Christianity aims at improving people’s relationships so that they can live
in peace and harmony in a just society.
3. Christian religious practices
• Charity for the benefit of the poor and the under privileged
• Equality between people
Christians who relate well to others people are enabled to rise above their natural selfishness
and go out to others with love and justice.
4. Practical care for the under privileged in e.g TB Joshua
• Orphanages
• Old age homes
• Hospices
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The basic principle of justice in Christianity is to make sure that human needs are met, which is
another way of maintaining social justice in society.
5. Economic empowerment
• The Church as an employer in church school, hospitals etc, to help to improve the standard
of living of many families.
