Sentinel Watch March 25, 2013 Issue

The paradigm of peace

Michael Morgan

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.