Proclaim Peace
Welcome to the Proclaim Peace podcast! Co-hosts Jennifer Thomas, Co-Executive Director at Mormon Women for Ethical Government, and Patrick Mason, Professor at Utah State University, explore a peaceful reading of the scriptures by talking with guest experts who show us how to create peace in turbulent times. Subscribe to the show on YouTube or your favorite listening app and follow along at https://proclaimpeace.org/ for show notes and more resources.
Proclaim Peace
True Peacemaking Needs Both Fire and Compassion: Lessons from Elijah and Elisha with Sarah Perkins
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Jen and Patrick are joined by Sarah Perkins to explore the profound ways stories shape our understanding of peace, justice, and reconciliation. They focus on the contrasting peacemaking styles of Old Testament prophets Elijah and Elisha. Sarah shares her journey as a writer, filmmaker, and peacemaker, emphasizing the power of faith, imagination, and human connection in transforming conflicts into moments of compassion.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction: The biblical and modern models of peacemaking
(03:19) Elijah as a prophet of justice and the challenge of non-passive activism
(07:44) The importance of speaking truth without contempt or dehumanizing others
(11:27) How to be conflict-avoidant while still advocating for justice
(15:35) The differences between Elijah's fiery approach and Elisha's humble miracles
(20:14) The role of small acts of kindness in peacebuilding and social change
(25:05) Using stories like "They that be with us" to expand moral imagination
(32:10) Insights from international peacemaking efforts in Northern Ireland
(36:29) The power of storytelling, especially in faith contexts, to foster hope
(39:00) How children can inspire adults to love and imagine peace
For full show notes and transcript, visit https://proclaimpeace.org