Embracing God’s Shalom

A Reflective Journey through an Anabaptist Perspective on the Bible

(AUTHOR’S NOTE: Original songs inspired by and composed during the course of this experience follow the reflection. Scroll down to listen!).

Introduction

My first year within the Journey Program has been a transformative experience, leading to a greater understanding of the Bible from an Anabaptist perspective. From the very beginning in Genesis to the hopeful promise in Revelation, the thread of God’s shalom is intricately woven throughout the biblical narrative. My interaction with the course materials and resources, with teachers, my mentor, and my fellow journeyers, has been edifying and has given me greater insight as to the core principles of Anabaptist theology and how it can guide Christians today in embracing God’s shalom in our lives.

Creation and Shalom

The Anabaptist interpretation of Genesis departs from the Babylonian Creation myths by emphasizing the nonviolent nature of God’s creative act. Instead of a God who imposes order through coercion, the Anabaptist perspective presents a God who creates out of love and establishes shalom—a holistic peace that encompasses not only the absence of violence but also the presence of justice, wholeness, and harmony. The spirit of God (ruach Elohim) which hovers over the waters and brings the Creation into being is the same breath that turns clay into humanity.

As Christians, understanding Creation from this perspective calls us to recognize our role as stewards of God’s creation and to actively engage in caring for the environment, promoting peace, and seeking justice for all living beings, especially our God-breath-infused sisters and brothers.

Jesus’ Nonviolent Kingdom

The heart of the Anabaptist perspective lies in Jesus’ life and teachings. Jesus, the Lamb who was slain, exemplifies a radical commitment to nonviolence. Contrary to the expectations of an earthly king who would bring about an empire through power and violence, Jesus chose to lay down his life as an expression of love and sacrifice.

In our modern world, where violence and conflict seem pervasive, embracing Jesus’ nonviolent example challenges us to seek alternative solutions to conflicts and to be peacemakers in our communities and beyond.

Discipleship and Shalom

Anabaptists place a strong emphasis on discipleship, viewing it as a lifelong commitment to follow Jesus’ teachings and embody his way of love and peace. This discipleship journey is not an easy path, as it requires self-sacrifice, forgiveness, and an unwavering commitment to shalom in all aspects of life.

As Christians today, embracing God’s shalom means intentionally living out our faith by promoting justice, loving our neighbors, standing up against oppression, and seeking reconciliation in fractured relationships. As my congregation continues to engage in the formation of discipleship groups, I have found that my learnings from the Journey Program have helped to solidify the importance of making disciples who follow Jesus and exemplify these values.

Nonconformity to the World

Historically, Anabaptists faced persecution for their refusal to conform to the world’s systems of power, violence, and materialism. This nonconformity stems from their belief that the Kingdom of God operates on different principles from those of the world.

As modern Christians, embracing God’s shalom necessitates a counter-cultural stance that challenges the dominant narratives of our society. It calls us to prioritize compassion over competition, simplicity over consumerism, and peacemaking over aggression. The world  is crying out for an alternative to the civil religion subsumed by Christian Nationalism. It is imperative that churches with historical roots in Anabaptism do not forget that history as it serves as a cautionary tale of the danger when the church aligns itself with the state.

A Vision for New Creation

Revelation paints a powerful picture of God’s promise of a new creation, where shalom will reign supreme. The Lamb, Jesus Christ, will be at the center of this restored world—a world free from suffering, violence, and injustice.

As we await the fulfillment of this vision, our task as Christians is to be co-creators of God’s shalom here and now. By actively participating in acts of love, mercy, and justice, we contribute to the building of God’s kingdom on earth and foreshadow the ultimate realization of the new creation.

The Journey Program has provided me with a profound understanding of the Bible from an Anabaptist perspective, highlighting the unifying thread of God’s shalom throughout the biblical narrative. From Creation to Revelation, the call to live out of God’s shalom as Christians today is evident.

By embracing the principles of nonviolence, discipleship, nonconformity, and hope for a new creation, we become agents of God’s transformative love in a broken world. As I continue on this journey, I pray that I will seek to live out God’s shalom in my life, recognizing that in doing so, I become a channel of God’s grace, compassion, and healing for all creation.

Addendum:

Throughout the process of engaging with Unit 2 of the Journey Program, much of my learnings was translated creatively into the creation of several songs, which served as my journal entries throughout this first year. The songs have been compiled into an album entitled Journey One (KMLS aka peacegroover). Songs can be listened to and downloaded at the following links.

The song order follows the general learnings for the units of the course. Song titles and a brief description beside each song are listed below:

1. Genesis 1-1
   1. In the beginning, God created … and it was good. Loop-based composition using Acid Pro software.
2. The Breath of God (Ruach Elohim)
   1. This song was inspired by a phrase from a lecture by David Miller that “it is the breath of God that makes us human.” Loop-based composition using Acid Pro software.
3. Deep Memory
   1. The prophets served as the deep memory for the people of God throughout history in reminding them of God’s faithfulness, justice and mercy. Loop-based composition using Acid Pro software.
4. The Promise
   1. This is an older song fragment that I finished during the course. It calls to mind the longing for salvation, God’s promise of a Messiah, and God’s continual call to the people of God to come out into the Light. Original music and lyrics with guitar, efx, and vocals.
5. Dunamis 1-3
   1. From one of the program’s readings, I learned that the Greek word for the Holy Spirit is dunamis, which is the same word for dynamite. Such was the power that came at Pentecost. That same power can dwell in our hearts today. Original lyrics plugged into an online AI music generator and compiled using Audacity software.
6. Come to the Table
   1. Inspired by Journey learnings, this song was composed for and sung at a recent time of Communion for our congregation. It reflects the welcoming place where the fullness of God’s presence, Creator, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, dwells among God’s people. Original music and lyrics with guitar and vocals.
7. Journey
   1. This song was written and composed during my first Journey weekend at AMBS. I had the privilege of performing it for the participants at our final worship service for that weekend. The song reflects my initial reflections at the beginning of this “journey” and its continuation. Original music and lyrics with guitar, efx, and vocals.
8. People Get Ready
   1. A previously recorded cover of the 1965 hit by The Impressions, shared with my journeying cohort, in relationship to our study of Revelation. Guitar and vocals.