The paradigm of peace
In Samuel P. Huntington’s widely-read book, The Clash of Civilizations, written in 1996, the author predicted a chaotic future: broken states, intensification of tribal and religious conflict, and the spread of terrorism; in other words, total entropy. Today the world often seems to be suffering from these symptoms—is there an antidote?
It’s helpful first to ask ourselves just what the source of this chaotic paradigm is. Isn’t it the bullying belief that we were made with limits, in the image of dusty Adam (see Genesis 2) rather than the spiritual likeness of God, divine Love (see Genesis 1)? Now let’s postulate for a moment that there is, actually, enough for everyone. That each citizen of the world is awake to their God-given purpose. Like a symphony of instruments working in harmony to share beautiful music, the song of God must sweetly overtake the discord of selfish living. This anthem drowns out the mechanical discord of chaos and terrorism: a monopoly of media attention, security resources rushing from place to place, oppressed thought fearfully crying out against brother and sister.
Love’s infinite expression requires individuality, freedom, and unity—just like music! Participation in this peaceful paradigm breaks terrorizing monopoly, and results in the revolutionary reconciliation between man and God that Christ Jesus made tangible to us through his life and healing work.
But it isn’t enough for a few religious denominations to actively pursue this shift—it requires universal investigation and acceptance. Hence the name for Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery: Christian Science.
In the Manual of The Mother Church, a do-it-yourself guide for exercising spiritual freedom, Mrs. Eddy gives a song that the world can sing together. The “Daily Prayer” is a strategic explication of a single line from the Lord’s Prayer: “ ‘Thy kingdom come;’ let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!” (p. 41 ).
As I prayed about the language of this affirmation, I realized that it rebukes a mind-set of “not enough,” and promotes plentiful God-led government. It authorizes spiritual government that supersedes human planning and celebrates “glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14 ). Whenever an individual, regardless of religious affiliation, lets the will of God, divine Love, influence and command their decisions, they are joining the chorus that calls the kingdom of heaven to earth.
Proclaiming the reign of Christ, Truth, here and now, no matter the political circumstance, is an exercise of man’s God-given dominion. The desire for harmony is as old as human civilization—it is the essence and motive for all true government. This paradigm of peace finds beautiful articulation in the 73rd Psalm: “And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? … As a dream when one wakes; so, O Lord, when you wake, you shall despise their image … You shall guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (verses 11, 20, 24, American King James Version).
By living the spirit of these songs every day, we stay awake to the divine government that honors the goodness of Life—not evil, terrorism, or mere private interest. In doing so, we broadcast the gospel of good news with not only words, but also music—for all to hear.
