3. The Fourfold Nature of Shalom

The fourfold nature of shalom involves four key relationships--our relationship with God, with each other, with the created order, and within ourselves.
 

THIS EPISODE’S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• I was involved in Campus Crusade for Christ when I was in college.  When I learned to share the Four Spiritual Laws, I was told, “Don’t focus on abundant life.  Just focus on eternal life.”
• When God created the world, it was in a state of shalom.
• Shalom refers to a comprehensive state of well-being that touches every aspect of life.
• When God created the world, the world experienced the fourfold nature of shalom: 
  • Between God and people
  • Between people and each other
  • Within human beings themselves–a kind of inner shalom
  • Between human beings and the creation
• But shalom was broken in all four of these ways.  The fourfold nature of shalom was broken:
  • Between God and people 
    • Adam and Eve hid from God
  • Between people and each other 
    • They saw their nakedness and no longer felt safe with each other
  • Within human beings themselves 
    • They now felt shame
  • Between human beings and the creation 
    • Childbirth would be painful and the earth would no longer produce without toil
• God wants to restore shalom in all four of these ways 
  • Between God and people 
    • Jesus sacrifice makes restoration of shalom with God possible
  • Between people and each other 
    • No more war, violence, racism, classism, injustice, poverty, etc.
  • Within human beings themselves 
    • God wants to heal our shame
  • Between human beings and creation 
    • Caring for creation is not a liberal or conservative thing; it’s a matter of stewardship
• We are called to participate with God in God’s mission of shalom.  We are called to join God in restoring the fourfold nature of shalom.

RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:

• Campus Crusade for Christ 
  • Website:  https://www.cru.org/
  • Twitter:  @crutweets
• Four Spiritual Laws
• Flourish San Diego 
  • Website:  https://flourishsandiego.org/
  • Twitter:  @FlourishSD
• Amy Sherman discusses the fourfold nature of shalom in her book, Kingdom Calling

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