Department of Christian Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
In the context of brutality, domination over others, deceptive tendencies in the provision of leadership amidst apathy and impunity, one wonders if the understanding of the terms shalom (peace) and tsedeq (justice) remains the crux of social interaction in the Nigerian society. The experience of some states and communities lately, in the hands of terrorists, namely, Herdsmen, who are unleashing pains and agony on the Nigerian citizenry, proves the point that the understanding of the concept of shalom (peace) is an aberration. The passive attitude of the Federal Government of Nigeria in proffering a permanent solution to this national carnage also reveals that the understanding of the concept of tsedeq (justice) in leadership is a misnomer, for it seems killers have not been arrested and prosecuted as justice demands. The paper, which is mainly an inductive study, seeks to re-echo the need for the Nigerian citizenry and leadership to respect the sacredness of life, giving shalom (peace) and tsedeq (justice) a chance. This paper, through an inductive study, projects God’s standard on the issue of shalom (peace) and tsedeq (justice) as taught in the Scriptures. From the findings of the study, the nuances of Shalom and Tsedeq in the Scripture have not changed and the understanding of the duo ever remains paramount, in social interactions and peace building among humans in general.
Re-thinking, Nuance, Implication, Peace Building, Shalom, and Tsedeq.
