Purpose of an Education promoting shalom Mercy Ann Ranjan
Introduction:
Looking at the root Hebrew meaning for shalom we see in the Old Testament, the root word is found in many Semitic languages. The Akkadian salamu comes closest to the root meaning “whole or complete” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 1992, pp 206). According to the New Testament, it is referred that the Hebrews tended to use the term primarily for interpersonal or social relations where it comes very close to meaning “Justice.” When justice is done it is seen as God’s gift to the people and shalom comes to the people when they live faithfully under God’s covenant (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 1992, pp 207). Jesus also emphasizes through the beatitudes that peacemakers …show more content…
To answer this question Wolterstorff points out the relation shalom has with scripture. According to the Bible, though people have hierarchies and different roles in society, God wanted them to show consideration towards the other and build connections with the vulnerable in society (Wolterstorff, 2013, pp 74). The commandments and laws in the Old Testament was not just for the individual but for the community as well. It was designed to promote shalom among individuals in the …show more content…
He says that the vulnerable in society put forth certain claims on society. These claims include seeking help and pleading to do them no harm (Shalom). At this point, I feel that here is where we as the present society are failing miserably today. With all that has been going on throughout the globe, the strife, the racial rage etc, I wonder, how do we act towards shalom? Will it seem like a favor on the vulnerable or will it do them any good? And having heard Prof. Clarence views on Shalom, I feel certain that it will do them good as it leads to a feeling of security that the vulnerable will receive in society. Shalom helps develop this sense of security which is a communal feeling common to everyone and not just an individual or personal feeling. Wolterstorff points out that the Old Testament seeks to provide preferential options to the poor and the New Testament seeks impartiality. We are living in a time where preferences are given mostly to the rich and not the poor. We are exactly living lives contradicting the Scriptures. Which is what, I think Wolterstorff is trying to emphasize through his book on Educating for Shalom. Now, the call for us as educators is to recognize the problem, realize the need for justice and take measures in order to bring about shalom in the community or society.
Role of a teacher in Promoting Shalom:
As a teacher there a lot of qualities that can be learned from the
Introduction:
Looking at the root Hebrew meaning for shalom we see in the Old Testament, the root word is found in many Semitic languages. The Akkadian salamu comes closest to the root meaning “whole or complete” (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 1992, pp 206). According to the New Testament, it is referred that the Hebrews tended to use the term primarily for interpersonal or social relations where it comes very close to meaning “Justice.” When justice is done it is seen as God’s gift to the people and shalom comes to the people when they live faithfully under God’s covenant (The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 1992, pp 207). Jesus also emphasizes through the beatitudes that peacemakers …show more content…
To answer this question Wolterstorff points out the relation shalom has with scripture. According to the Bible, though people have hierarchies and different roles in society, God wanted them to show consideration towards the other and build connections with the vulnerable in society (Wolterstorff, 2013, pp 74). The commandments and laws in the Old Testament was not just for the individual but for the community as well. It was designed to promote shalom among individuals in the …show more content…
He says that the vulnerable in society put forth certain claims on society. These claims include seeking help and pleading to do them no harm (Shalom). At this point, I feel that here is where we as the present society are failing miserably today. With all that has been going on throughout the globe, the strife, the racial rage etc, I wonder, how do we act towards shalom? Will it seem like a favor on the vulnerable or will it do them any good? And having heard Prof. Clarence views on Shalom, I feel certain that it will do them good as it leads to a feeling of security that the vulnerable will receive in society. Shalom helps develop this sense of security which is a communal feeling common to everyone and not just an individual or personal feeling. Wolterstorff points out that the Old Testament seeks to provide preferential options to the poor and the New Testament seeks impartiality. We are living in a time where preferences are given mostly to the rich and not the poor. We are exactly living lives contradicting the Scriptures. Which is what, I think Wolterstorff is trying to emphasize through his book on Educating for Shalom. Now, the call for us as educators is to recognize the problem, realize the need for justice and take measures in order to bring about shalom in the community or society.
Role of a teacher in Promoting Shalom:
As a teacher there a lot of qualities that can be learned from the