Bishops from the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church have written an open letter declaring that “peace is not the absence of war,” as the Israel-Palestine peace deal tentatively begins.
“As Christians, we believe that peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of Christ,” wrote Kaisamari Hintikka, Bishop of Espoo diocese.
“We can always choose between peace and conflict, love and enmity. These small choices that we make every day count as well.”
Her words echo those of political scientist John Heathershaw, who told Premier Christian News that deep “repentance” is needed in the Middle East.
“A ceasefire is where you have a temporary halt to the armed conflict. Peace is an enduring period of time where not only does war end, but there is something like the Biblical term ‘shalom’: peace and justice.”
“From a Christian perspective, that requires repentance by those who have been committing violence and forgiveness of one another,” Heathershaw emphasised. “These are very, very big asks in this context.”
Whilst Donald Trump declared he had “ended 3000 years of conflict” with the peace deal. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has acknowledged that lasting peace “is no small challenge”.
Anxiety is growing in Gaza that the ceasefire could be derailed, after the Palestinian Civil Defence reported that seven people have been shot by the IDF since the hostage hand over.
Hundreds of Palestinians have been returned, in exchange for 20 living 7th October hostages, but the bodies of up to 24 deceased hostages are yet to be handed over to Israeli forces.
The Finnish Bishops are urging a deep cultural shift from this moment on, in order for the region to heal.
“Peace is a state to be pursued,” they wrote, “a way of life that flows from the heart of the individual into communities, and ultimately into the entire world.