Sunday 16 June 2002 - Two Friends Testimonies: Peace and Equality
Lake Erie Yearly Meeting - June 13-16, 2002
"Testimonies, where Quaker rubber hits the road: moving from talking the talk to walking the walk"

Hebrew: shalom - from a root meaning to complete or make whole.

Greek: eirene -- personal well-being, the absence of violent conflict, a fruit of the Spirit

Both words are used to denote a situation in which there is no war or other violence, and no enemy present. More broadly they connote well-being and prosperity. Peace is closely related to messianic or apocalyptic hopes - a future time of peace in contrast to current strife. In keeping with early Friends' "realized eschatology," they often write as if the "kingdom of God" is already manifest.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

That which is set up by the sword, is held up by the sword; and that which is set up by spiritual weapons, is held up by spiritual weapons, and not by carnal weapons. The peacemaker hath the kingdom, and is in it; and hath the dominion over the peace breaker, to calm him in the power of God. (George Fox, 1652)

Eph 6:11-17 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

And so live in peace, which comes from the God of all peace, who bruises satan under your feet, who hath ruled, So here the love of God will come to be shed abroad in your hearts, which love is one, and doth not change; in it dwell, and grow and abound, that over all that which is contrary to the Lord of life, who destroys death, ye may reign every one over your own hearts, and lusts, and vile affections, and your former vile conversation, disposition, and nature, and wills. (George Fox, 1654)

Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.

Genesis 3:14-15 And the Lord God said unto the Serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Here is the power of the son of God known, all power being given to him; which power and seed bruiseth the serpent's head, and breaks it, in,which standeth the enmity. So all power is given to the son to rule, to subdue, and to judge. So, live in the power, and ye live in the unity, ye live in the peace, ye live all in the subjection one to another in the fear of the Lord; ye live all in the seed, which is one, which keeps atop of the head of the serpent, and keeps his head down, and bringeth it under. (George Fox, 1655)