Peace and Conflict

"Some day there will be a king who rules with integrity, and national leaders who govern with justice. Each of them will be like a shelter from the wind and a place to hide from storms. They will be like streams flowing in a desert like the shadow of a giant rock in a barren land." Isaiah 32:1-8

 
We invite you to learn more about the issues in this section on Peace and Conflict.
In 1995 the ELCA Churchwide Assembly approved the social statement "For Peace in God’s World." This statement is the primary policy basis from which the ELCA Washington Office advocates for the resolution of conflict throughout the world.

For Peace in God’s World proclaims that:

"We of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America share with the Church of Jesus Christ in all times and places the calling to be peacemakers. In the liturgy of Holy Communion we pray 'for peace of the whole world,' asking, 'Lord have mercy. Our petition unites faith in the Triune God with our world's sufferings and hopes.'"

For Peace in God’s World states that:

"God's promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Rejected by humans, Jesus was confirmed by God who raised him from the dead in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that 'on earth' there might be "peace" (Luke 2:14). In bringing this peace,
  • Jesus taught love for one's enemies;
  • he reached out to the oppressed, downtrodden, and rejected of the earth;
  • he prayed for his enemies while himself being rejected on the cross;
  • above all, through Jesus' violent death, God redeemed the world, "for... while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Romans 5:10)."


    • For Peace in God’s World urges the ELCA to be a "disturbing" presence for peace:

    "The Church is a disturbing presence when it refuses to be silent and instead speaks the truth in times when people shout out, "'Peace, peace,' when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14). The Church is this presence when it names and resists idols that lead to false security, injustice, and war, and calls for repentance. We therefore denounce beliefs and actions that:
  • elevate our nation or any nation or people to the role of God;
  • find ultimate security in weapons and warfare;
  • ordain the inherent right of one people, race, or civilization to rule over others;
  • promise a perfect, peaceful society through the efforts of a self-sufficient humanity; and
  • despair of any possibility for peace.


    • Join us today to advocate for peace with justice throughout the world.