Shalom for the shepherds

The angels informed the shepherds of the good news ending their announcement with these words: “and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” Luke has announced the birth of the new age. Danker said: “All ceremonial requirements are shattered with this one piece of good news, for even unclean shepherds are welcomed in God’s presence.” Yamaski states: “peace is stipulated as a resulting state for those experiencing God’s salvation. To put it another way, God bestows salvation on the people in the form of peace.”

In these uncertain troubled and violent times, I would like to spend a little time thinking about Luke’s distinctive uses of the Greek word εἰρήνη. Perhaps this will be my project for Lent.

Copyrighted 2009

Religion

Christianity

Gospel of Luke