The true task of the rulers and authorities is to deliver peace, to produce a just, peaceable, and livable society. This is the kind of peace that the prophets called justice in Jesus called abundant life… The achievement of a community of peace is how the church demonstrates the wisdom of God to the principalities and powers… The creation of a peaceable people is proof of God’s wisdom!… Caesar cannot produce real peace, but Christ can!…
How did the Roman world give peace? Through violence. The Pax Romana was achieved by identifying others as enemies and fighting against them until they could no longer fight back. And how did Christ give the world peace? By forgiveness. The Pax Christus achieves peace by forgiving enemies and embracing them as friends.
Brian Zahnd
Beauty Will Save the World, Zondervan, 2012, 89, 90, 217.
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