Struggles For Shalom

Struggles for Shalom is a collection of essays by biblical scholars about peace, justice, and violence in ancient Jewish and Christian texts, written to honor the life work of Mennonite scholars Perry B. Yoder and Willard M. Swartley. In this volume, twenty-three authors--colleagues, former students, friends, and others influenced by Yoder's and Swartley's scholarship--add to the honorees' work in appreciation for their shared focus on biblical texts' lessons of peace. Specific texts and topics include Eccl 3:1-9 and time for war, Ezek 14:12-23 and God's retribution, Luke 22:31-61 and Peter's sword, the temple cleansing episodes in John 2 and Mark 11, sectarianism and violence in manuscripts from the Dead Sea, violence in creation in the Hebrew Bible, Chronicles as utopian literature, peace and violence in Paul's writings, and globalization in biblical studies. This collection is diverse and ambitious. For church and academy, and for anyone curious about what Scripture has to say about peace and violence, this book delivers focused study of peace and violence across the Testaments. Contributors Include: Wilma Ann Bailey Jo-Ann A. Brant Laura L. Brenneman Jacob W. Elias Reta Halteman Finger Michael J. Gorman Nancy R. Heisey Paul Keim Christopher Marshall Safwat Marzouk Douglas B. Miller Ben C. Ollenburger Dorothy M. Peters David Rensberger Andrea Dalton Saner Brad D. Schantz Mary H. Schertz Steven Schweitzer Willard M. Swartley Jackie Wyse-Rhodes Joshua Yoder Perry B. Yoder Thomas R. Yoder Neufeld Paul Yokota Gordon Zerbe Other volumes in the series include: A Peaceable Hope (vol. 11, Baker Academic, 2013) Atonement, Justice, and Peace (vol. 10, Eerdmans, 2011) Covenant of Peace (vol. 9, Eerdmans, 2006) The Sound of Sheer Silence and the Killing State (vol. 8, Cascadia Publishing House and Herald Press, 2004) Beautiful upon the Mountains (vol. 7, Institute of Mennonite Studies and Herald Press, 2003) Crowned with Glory and Honor (vol. 6, Pandora Press US, 2002) Beyond Retribution (vol. 5, Eerdmans, 2001) Violence Renounced (vol. 4, Herald Press and Pandora Press US, 2000) The Love of Enemy and Nonretaliation in the New Testament (vol. 3, Westminster John Knox, 1992) The Meaning of Peace (vol. 2, Westminster John Knox, 1992) The Gospel of Peace (vol. 1, Westminster John Knox, 1992)

The biblical challenge of shalom is one which ought to draw all Christians together in a common struggle so that God's will might be done and God's kingdom might come on earth as it is in heaven. People, as well as structures, need to be transformed. People who are caught in oppressive structures need to be liberated from the values and perspectives inculcated by these structures. The shalom maker, as a result, is involved in a mission of conversion--converting people to a new understanding and way of life. This conversion, based on God's love for them in Jesus, frees them from old patterns of thought. If we struggle for shalom, we shall suffer because we are actively confronting and resisting the structures of oppression and working for the liberation of powerless and oppressed people. Shalom love is not love at a distance, not love in the abstract, not love in the rocking chair--it is the love of confrontation, of strike, of protest, and of disobedience to the structures of violence. Shalom love is suffering love because it is militant love struggling for human liberation, justice, and shalom, which is God's will for our world.

Ross Langmead will be remembered as one of Australia's leading missiologists, having established his credentials as a young man in founding Westgate Baptist Community after writing a report on the struggling churches in the west of Melbourne. His distinguished academic and teaching career led him to join the faculty at Whitley College until his death in 2013. He will also be remembered for his seventies folk group, Daddy's Friends, and the songs of love and justice he wrote over forty-five years that are still sung today. This biography starts with his missionary family upbringing and traces the influences that shaped his passion for sharing Jesus with the urban poor. He was a key player in the radical discipleship movement in Australia; his understanding of incarnational mission was that Christians need to be the people of God just where they are. Above all, he lived simply that others might simply live, his passion extending to ecomissiology and support for the unemployed, indigenous, and refugees. He would want this book to inspire readers to make a difference in the world.

Conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians has been ongoing since the creation of the state of Israel, a conflict revolving around land-ownership, water politics, human rights, and religious rights. 'Shalom/Salaam/Peace' examines the realities of life in contemporary Israel/Palestine, with its politics, wars, security wall, settlements and ongoing struggles. Having established the historical, scriptural and theological context behind the present situation, the book presents key figures who have promoted peace and justice and explores liberation theology as a way of bringing peace in Israel/Palestine. Combining the history of liberation theology with its lived reality in Israel/Palestine today, 'Shalom/Salaam/Peace' is an illuminating resource for students and scholars of politics and religion.

This introductory textbook solidly situates Christian education in the church and ministry context of the 21st century. With over 20 years of ministry, teaching, and leadership experience, Freddy Cardoza is uniquely qualified to bring together a wide range of Christian educators. This volume features the expertise of 25 evangelical scholars of Christian education, including diverse, next-generation voices in the field. It provides balanced biblical-theological and practical perspectives for church and parachurch leaders, equipping them to meet the ever-changing needs of our world. Additional resources for professors and students are available through Textbook eSources.

Materialism. Greed. Loneliness. A manic pace. Abuse of the natural world. Inequality. Injustice. War. The endemic problems facing America today are staggering. We need change and restoration. But where to begin? In Shalom and the Community of Creation Randy Woodley offers an answer: learn more about the Native American 'Harmony Way,' a concept that closely parallels biblical shalom. Doing so can bring reconciliation between Euro-Westerners and indigenous peoples, a new connectedness with the Creator and creation, an end to imperial warfare, the ability to live in the moment, justice, restoration -- and a more biblically authentic spirituality. Rooted in redemptive correction, this book calls for true partnership through the co-creation of new theological systems that foster wholeness and peace.

"Here's a powerful, biblical antidote to despair!"--LEE STROBEL, New York Times bestselling author God's peace, his shalom, can penetrate every aspect of your life--spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Although the word shalom appears 550 times in the Scriptures and was a constant theme in Jesus' teachings, it is a neglected topic today. As a result, God's peace has been elusive to so many followers of Jesus. This book charts a course of shalom for you! As Greg Laurie writes in the foreword, since we are made in God's image, you could say we have been prewired for happiness. We are prewired for hope. We are prewired for peace. If you are longing for healing and wholeness, noted Bible scholar Jeremiah J. Johnston will help you discover how to · Unleash shalom in your life · Live and apply shalom in God's world · Protect your shalom in difficult times This uplifting book is also helpful for ministry leaders and everyone else who recognizes the church's incredible opportunity today to help individuals and families dealing with anxiety, worry, and mental pain. Let this be your guide into the peace that passes all understanding. Shalom! "This is more than surviving; we are offered the gift of truly flourishing."--SHEILA WALSH, author of Holding On When You Want to Let Go "In this reassuring meditation on Christian happiness... Johnston's mix of scholarly and uplifting notes will speak to solace seekers and their ministry leaders alike."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Shalom Eilati was born in 1933 in Kovno, Lithuania. He immigrated to Palestine in 1946.