What Theology of Peace Means for Believers

What is a Theology of Peace?

A theology of peace centers on God’s redemptive work to restore harmony between humanity and Himself and among people, emphasizing reconciliation, wholeness, and the flourishing of God’s created order.

This framework is deeply rooted in Scripture, where peace (Hebrew *shalom*, Greek *eirene*) reflects more than the absence of conflict - it signifies the presence of God’s intended shalom. Romans 15:13 describes God as 'the God of hope' who fills believers with 'all joy and peace,' while Ephesians 2:14 declares Christ as 'our peace,' who dismantles divisions between groups through His sacrificial death.

These passages illustrate that peace in the biblical sense is both a divine gift and a call to embody reconciliation. It invites believers to participate in God’s mission of healing fractured relationships and communities, reflecting His character as the ultimate source of peace.

The Biblical Foundations of Peace

The biblical concept of peace (Hebrew *shalom*, Greek *eirene*) is rooted in God’s covenantal promises and His redemptive work to reconcile creation to Himself.

In the Old Testament, *shalom* encompasses holistic well-being, justice, and relational harmony. Isaiah 2:4 envisions a future where nations transform weapons of war into tools for cultivating the land, symbolizing God’s ultimate restoration of creation. This vision reflects *shalom* as both a divine aspiration and a call for human participation in fostering justice and reconciliation.

The New Testament builds on this foundation, with *eirene* emphasizing the reconciling work of Christ. Jesus’ declaration in Matthew 5:9 - ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ - positions peace as a central mark of discipleship, intertwining personal righteousness with communal harmony. His teaching underscores that peacemaking is not passive but an active pursuit of justice, echoing Isaiah’s prophetic hope.

Scripture consistently portrays peace as both a gift from God and a responsibility for His people. While Isaiah and Matthew highlight peace’s divine origin, they also challenge believers to embody it, reflecting the tension between God’s sovereignty and human agency in advancing His kingdom.

Theological Implications of Peace

The theology of peace reveals God’s character as a reconciler who actively restores fractured relationships through both spiritual and social dimensions.

In 1 Peter 1:23, peace is framed as a divine gift rooted in God’s eternal nature, where the imperishable seed of His word sows new life and harmony in believers. Colossians 1:20 underscores this by declaring Christ as the agent of cosmic reconciliation, through whom God “reconciled all things to himself” and brought peace to creation. These passages position peace not as a human ideal but as a reflection of God’s redemptive purpose. However, tensions emerge between peace as an internal spiritual reality - such as Jesus’ promise of his peace in John 14:27, which transcends worldly understanding - and its outward social applications, like the communal harmony emphasized in Galatians 5:22-23, where peace is a fruit of the Spirit demanding active pursuit of justice.

The interplay between spiritual and social dimensions of peace challenges believers to balance inner tranquility with outward action. While John 14:27 highlights Christ’s peace as a source of inner calm amid turmoil, Galatians 5:22-23 calls for peace to manifest in ethical living and community cohesion, reflecting the holistic nature of shalom.

This dual focus invites a nuanced theology of peace: it is both a divine gift to be received and a divine mandate to be lived out. The reconciliation described in Colossians 1:20 thus becomes a model for how peace bridges the gap between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, preparing readers to explore its practical implications in the life of the church and world.

How to Read Theology of Peace Correctly

To interpret the theology of peace biblically, begin by situating it within the overarching narrative of God’s redemptive work in Scripture.

First, contextualize peace within salvation history, recognizing it as both a divine gift and a human vocation. From Genesis 12:1-3’s covenantal promise to Revelation 21:4’s eschatological hope, peace reflects God’s ongoing mission to restore creation. Scripture consistently frames peace as more than the absence of conflict - John 16:33 explicitly warns that believers will face tribulation yet are called to find peace in Christ’s victory.

Second, distinguish peace as a divine attribute (e.g., Romans 15:13) from its human practice (e.g., Matthew 5:9). While God’s peace transcends human understanding (John 14:27), believers are called to embody it actively through justice and reconciliation (Galatians 5:22-23).

Finally, avoid reducing peace to passivity. Peace demands engagement with systemic brokenness. This bridges to practical applications, where peacebuilding becomes both a spiritual discipline and a communal responsibility.

Going Deeper

To explore the theology of peace further, consider its roots in Scripture and modern applications.

Paul’s theology of peace in Romans 12 - 15 emphasizes living peaceably with others (Romans 12:18) while pursuing reconciliation, while Leviticus 26:6 illustrates covenantal peace as a divine blessing tied to obedience. Matthew 5:9, where Jesus calls peacemakers ‘blessed,’ connects peace to discipleship. Scholars like Dietrich Bonhoeffer (*Ethics*) and Miroslav Volf (*After God: A Theology of Peace*) provide frameworks for understanding peace as both a spiritual reality and a social practice.