Peace
The world’s concept of peace is the absence of conflict; that is – in reality – a lie. “Ex nihilo nihil fit” translated from the Latin is “out of nothing, nothing is derived.”
Motion generates heat, both because of the transfer of energy from potential to kinetic, and from the resistance of specific gravity and physical resistance. The Law of Inertia states that object at rest preserve that state of rest. In order for motion to be initiated a force must be supplied. When motion is initiated, physical forces necessarily create heat.
Cold is not an object in itself. Cold cannot be measured. What is measured by a thermometer is the presence, or absence of heat.
There is a natural property in atoms to maintain order. To maintain order when an electron is forced out of orbit, the atom automatically exerts an influence to replace the loss1. It is improper to conclude that heat is life; it is only evidence of life, i.e. motion. Life must come from life. Death is that process whereby a human body is reduced to “room temperature.” Death is, therefore, the absence of life.
A question then arises, who or what initiated the first motion that set matter in motion? Who or what established order, the rules, by which all things operate? This discussion is called the Argument for Creation From Ontology2.
The greatest of philosophers understood the principle of ex nihilo. They simply could not to attribute the origination of motion to a “great nothing.” Socrates, Aristotle and Plato argued as to whether this force of origin was something outside of, or within the cosmos. The problem that they faced was the need for an uncaused, first cause. Within their scope of understanding it was not possible for them to arrive at a proper conclusion on the argument.
The only being that has ever been described as external to creation is the God of Abraham. This being is described as a spirit which superseded creation. He is described as standing outside of time, space and matter and having the ability not only to control this creation, but to override the principles by which this creation is ordered.
God is auto theos (from Himself). God is eternal and He is the alpha and omega (the beginning and the end) of this universe. To assert that God would require a beginning would be to deny the very essence of the meaning of God. To have an infinite being require a beginning denies the infinite nature of the being.
Furthermore, for a being to want to initiate motion requires that being to have certain properties. This argument is called The Argument for Creation From Teleology. This approach argues the purpose behind the universe. Why would the universe bother to be in the first place?
The “great philosophers” could not imagine a divine source who could, or who would initiate motion. To the end of their lives they “searched” for an answer. But, we all face this problem. If the force that created cosmos did not choose to reveal Himself, who could know Him? Philosophy cannot arrive at an answer to the ultimate question through rationalization alone. Nor can philosophy arrive at a conclusion through experience alone.
The holy prophets received the revelation from God concerning truth about the beginning of order and life. They received confirmation of this revelation through the wonders effected by the Creator when He denied the laws of physics to submit creation to his will and purpose. These same signs were exhibited by the condescended incarnation of God in the person of Jesus the Christ. He came to His creation to provide the answer; the answer to the question. In Him we find the meaning of “peace and goodwill towards men.”
Peace is not the absence of conflict. Peace is the absence of anxiety and fear. Conflict, violence and war do not come from a lack of peace. Rather, they come from the source of hatred. Hatred is a condition of love. You cannot hate without love. When you love something, you hate the thing that causes harm to that which you love. This hatred causes you to strike out to defend. If you love money, you strike out at anyone who stands between you and money. If you love the innocent, you strike out against anyone who harms the innocent.
When you have peace, you have a complete understanding of the proper order of things. When your idea of “the proper order” is flawed then peace must be enforced. This is why Buddhist monks must isolate themselves in monasteries at the tops of mountains. They must enforce a false understanding of everything, which requires them to deny connection with reality.
Peace is therefore not the absence of violence, but rather the presence of God.
The only perfect understanding of this cosmos comes from it’s creator. The laws that order this existence are not the substance of Him, but they are the evidence of Him. Many have tried to understand this existence by using nothing more than the physical evidences. Many have tried to understand this existence using nothing more than the rationalizations of their mind. The only way to peace is total subjection to the will and purpose of the “Author of Life.” The only understanding of this author is to accept the substance of His presence among us, and the rational evidences of the meaning of that presence3.
“…go ye and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13). The exemplification of peace comes out when one is living in a correct relationship with God; one day at a time, one second at a time. But the actions of living do not bring righteousness. “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (I Samuel 15:22).
If everyone had true peace there would be no war. But, in order to have true peace one must love God. Because sinners refuse to repent, they live in love of self. And so the violence goes on.
Therefore; as Christians we are not called to be pacifists, or to shy away from violence. We are called to reject the urge to revenge and personal retribution. If someone attacks us personally, we turn the other cheek4.
But, when someone attacks the thing that you love, do you not defend5; even to the death?
What is it that you love?
- Electron transfer (ET) is the process by which an electron moves from one atom or molecule to another atom or molecule. ET is a mechanistic description of the thermodynamic concept of redox, wherein the oxidation states of both reaction partners change. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_transfer
- For a scholarly look at both the Ontological Argument and the Teleological Argument for the existence of God please refer to http://www.reasonablefaith.org
- Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
- Matthew 5:38-40
- Matthew 21:12
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