‘Peace on earth’ (Luke 2.14) is a well-known Christmas text that is often read with a feeling of slight disbelief.
In what sense did Jesus bring peace on earth? If he did what he claimed he would do, why is it that we still have ‘wars and rumours of wars’ (another biblical text that hints that the first text is not to be understood woodenly)?
For and against globalism
This sort of much-parodied, overly familiar discussion, particularly around Christmas, is becoming ever more relevant as Christian or formerly Christian societies (those influenced by Christian values) seek to find new ways either to project a virtuous globalism or to retreat from global influence. There was Brexit. There is Trump. There was almost a similar kind of vote in the recent elections in France, though in the end the vote went decisively a different way. Where is the hope for ‘peace on earth’, peace on this globe, global justice? When will the lion lie down with the lamb – and what is the place and role of the gospel, the church, in advancing such a movement?
