PEACE CONCEPTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA IN THE LIGHT OF THE BIBLICAL CONCEPT OF PEACE
Abstract
Two conflicting conceptions of peace are prevalent in South Africa today, held by the government and its supporters on the one hand, and by all those organisations and individuals who reject the present political dispensation on the other hand. A fundamental resemblance between these two conceptions can, however, be noted in so far as armed force is seen, by both the South African government and its radical opponents, as in so far as they blame each other for the disruption of our society.In a stark contrast to that, peace is present in the Bible as something that does not only benefit certain groups of people, but is to the benefit of all, and cannot be realised by armed force, but only by reconciliation. The biblical concept of peace challenges Christians to criticize the prevalent peace conceptions, to strive together to attain peace that is to the benefit of all the inhabitants of South Africa, and to persuade the fighting parties that the conquering of enmity is a far better way to attain peace than victory over the enemy.Downloads
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