Early this month was the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) which many historians consider the turning point of the Civil War. Victory for the Union forces came at a high cost, however, with about 23,000 casualties on each side including a total of 7,863 killed outright. Gettysburg has become famous and, in some quarters, romanticized for actions such as Pickett’s Charge and the heroism of Minnesota’s Regiment and of course, President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the cemetery for all those dead soldiers. But the terrible carnage that was the essence of the battle should never be forgotten.
One of the ironies of the battle is that part of it was fought on Seminary Ridge which is named for the Lutheran seminary there. Today Gettysburg Seminary (ELCA) still sits on that ridge where tourists and students can still see bullet holes in one of the buildings. It is an irony that there such a deadly battle was fought on a campus that was, and still is, dedicated to producing preachers for the Prince of Peace. The seminary was to be a place where young men could study quietly for a life of bringing “the peace of God that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7) to an often violent and cruel world. For a few days in July 1863 it was anything but tranquil.
The will of God for all people is summed up in the song sung by the angels at the birth of Jesus: “peace on earth, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14 KJV). Early in his ministry Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) And throughout his ministry Jesus called his disciples to a life of peacemaking in their relations with one another as believers and in their interaction with others who do not believe. It is his desire that people work out their differences without resorting to violence, threats, intimidation, or war. In Matthew 5:43 he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
The early Christians took these words very seriously and were known as a people of peace in a culture that made them stand out for it. In Romans 12:18 St. Paul wrote, “if it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” And the author of Hebrews wrote in 12:14 “pursue peace with everyone….” This is a worthy goal for today: to work for a world of peace where bombs do not explode along the route of a marathon and where drones do not reign terror from the skies. It takes great courage to advocate for peace in a world of vengeance and violence.
The great vision that has animated the people of God for centuries is that of the prophet in Isaiah 2:4
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
As the nation observes the sesquicentennial of the tragic events of the Civil War may the prayer of the people be that of the 1955 song by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller:
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be
With God as our father, brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
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