BibleProject Podcast Summary

Episode: Peace: Wholeness, Completion, and Flourishing

Date: December 8, 2025
Hosts: Tim (A) and Jon (B)

Episode Overview

In this Advent-themed episode, Tim and Jon explore the depth and richness of the biblical concept of "peace," focusing on its Hebrew root, shalom. Far from meaning simply the absence of conflict, shalom in the Bible connotes wholeness, completeness, flourishing, and the fulfillment of purpose—both in individuals and communities. The hosts unpack the word’s nuanced use across Scripture and discuss how the "Prince of Peace," Jesus, embodies and delivers true shalom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Understanding Advent and Peace

• Advent as Waiting:
  • Advent is introduced as a season of anticipation in the Christian calendar, focusing on virtues like hope and peace.
  • “The story begins with waiting. The season of Advent... is about cultivating the virtue of learning how to wait.” (A, [00:27])
• Focus of the Episode:
  • This episode centers on the word "peace," tracing its biblical origins and development, especially the word shalom.

The Hebrew Roots: Shalom and Shalem

• Shalom in Language and Culture:
  • Shalom is a common greeting in modern Hebrew, but with ancient roots.
  • “[Shalom] is probably the Hebrew word that most people who don’t know Hebrew know, because it means hello.” (A, [01:26])
• The Root Verb – Shalem:
  • At its core, shalom is related to shalem, meaning to be whole, complete, or intact.
  • “There's something about fullness or natural, complete. You haven’t altered them. It’s the Shalem stone.” (A, [03:54])

1. Physical Examples of Shalem ([02:48] – [08:19])

• Altar Stones (Deut 27:5):
  • God commands altars to be made from shalem stones—natural, unaltered, whole stones.
• Honest Weights (Deut 25:13):
  • Shalem stones used for weights/measures represent integrity—one undivided piece, not manipulated for deception.
    • “If you have a shalem weighing stone, it's like one big complete piece.” (A, [05:56])
• Integrity of Heart (2 Kings 20):
  • King Hezekiah prays, claiming he’s walked with a shalem (undivided, completely devoted) heart.
    • “My whole heart has been devoted to you. ... completeness of heart that matches a trustworthiness in how I live before you.” (A, [07:29])

2. Shalem as a Verb — Making Complete ([08:20] – [14:00])

• Completing the Temple (1 Kings 9:25):
  • Solomon “made shalem” the temple—not just by finishing its construction but by fulfilling its purpose through all appointed rituals.
    • “He completed all of them. The whole liturgy. Annual liturgy. ... He shelamed the house.” (A, [09:38])
• God’s Promises (Isaiah 44):
  • God “shalems” his plans—bringing declared intentions to completion.
• Restorative Justice (Exodus Law):
  • If harm or loss occurs (e.g., crop damage), restitution is called “shaleming” the neighbor—restoring wholeness to the relationship.
    • “If a fire breaks out and...the field is consumed, the one who started that fire will surely shalem [repay].” (A, [12:45])
    • “Our relationship isn’t whole... there isn’t a completion to our relationship. It’s fragmented.” (B, [13:35])

The Concept of Relational and Vocational Wholeness

• Not Just Negative (Peace = Absence of Trouble), But Positive:
  • Shalom is the positive presence of fulfillment, abundance, and harmony.
  • “Shalom in biblical thought isn’t just the absence of some negative state of affairs...it’s also the positive presence of all these great conditions.” (A, [19:16])

Everyday Speech in Scripture

• Checking on Shalom (Genesis 37:13, Exodus 18:6):
  • Family queries each other’s and the flock’s shalom—asking not just if they’re safe, but if they’re thriving, fulfilling purpose, and enjoying harmony.
  • “So, go see about the shalom of your brothers and about the shalom of the flock...” (A, [16:56])
  • “They asked each other about their shalom.” (A, [18:23])
  • “How’s your shalom doing? ... Are you flourishing? Are you attaining the thing that you know you're meant for?” (B, [19:01])

Ideal Conditions—Fullness and Flourishing ([19:16] – [21:41])

• Leviticus 26 and Shalom:
  • Shalom described as an overflowing harvest, safety, security, and abundance—“You will eat your food to the fill. ... I’ll give you shalom.” (A, [21:05])
  • “It’s the focus: are we fulfilling our purpose, experiencing positive flourishing—not just avoiding harm?” (B, [19:54])

Shalom and Biblical Prophecy: The Hope of a Ruler of Peace

• Isaiah’s Messianic Vision ([21:49] – [29:21])
  • The prophecy of a coming ruler who will be a “Prince of Peace” (Sar Shalom).
  • Four symbolic throne names (Isa 9:6):
    • Counselor of Wonders
    • God, the Mighty Warrior (El Gibor)
    • Everlasting Father (Aviad)
    • Ruler of Shalom (Sar Shalom)
  • “His dominion will grow continually and there will be shalom with no end.” (A, [26:44])
  • “24/7 shalom—that’s the meme.” (B, [27:16])
• Personal and Societal Shalom:
  • The coming king both embodies shalom himself and brings shalom to his whole community.
  • “So he himself is shalom, and then he brings about shalom for others.” (A, [28:08])

Shalom in the New Testament: Jesus as Our Peace ([29:21] – [34:46])

• Ephesians 2:14–18
  • Paul calls Jesus “our peace,” who breaks down dividing walls between groups (Jew and Gentile), making “one new humanity” through his self-giving.
  • “Messiah brought them together. ... He himself is our peace.” (A, [30:15])
• How Jesus Accomplishes Peace:
  • Not by force, but by allowing hostility and violence to exhaust themselves upon him, he emerges and then invites all to reconciliation and oneness.
  • “He exhausts the enmity in his flesh... by letting both sides exhaust their violence on him, and then inviting them to sit at the same table again.” (A, [33:33])
• Shalom as Reconciliation and Oneness:
  • “The purpose of humanity is to be one... and that’s shalom.” (B, [31:57])
• The Arc of the Biblical Narrative:
  • “It’s like the biblical story in a nutshell, using just the word peace as the outline.” (A, [34:46])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What do you exist for, my friend? I wish wholeness and completeness upon you. Shalom.” (A, [15:41])
• “How's your shalom doing? ... Are you fulfilling your life purpose?” (B, [19:01])
• “The presence of the positive is just as important as the absence of the negative.” (A, [19:51])
• “His dominion will grow continually and there will be shalom with no end.” (A, [26:44])
• “The purpose of humanity is to be one... and that’s shalom.” (B, [31:57])
• “He accomplishes peace not through forceful coercion... but actually letting them exhaust their violence on him and then inviting them to sit at the same table again.” (A, [33:33])

Practical Reflection: Peace in Everyday Life ([35:38] – [37:55])

• Team Member Allison on Peace:
  • Chose “peace” as her favorite Advent word because it means not just an absence of conflict, but a deep-seated, groundedness.
  • Practices gratitude and sings the priestly blessing from Numbers 6 over her child as a way to embody and bestow shalom.
  • “[Peace is] when you can breathe like that. ... The peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” (D, [36:16])
• Blessing:
  • “The Lord bless you and keep you... and give you shalom.” (D, [37:44])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Advent and Peace Introduction: [00:08] – [01:13]
• Exploring Shalem—Physical and Relational Wholeness: [02:03] – [14:10]
• Biblical Invitations to Check On "Shalom": [15:15] – [19:16]
• Summary: Shalom Is More Than Absence of Conflict: [19:16] – [21:41]
• Isaiah 9 and the Prince of Peace: [21:49] – [29:21]
• Jesus as Our Peace (Ephesians 2): [29:21] – [34:46]
• Reflection from Allison, Blessing: [35:38] – [37:55]

Summary

This episode traces the biblical idea of peace—shalom—as robust, positive wholeness and flourishing, moving beyond "no conflict" to encompass fulfillment, purpose, harmony, and restored relationships. Through Hebrew Scripture and New Testament passages, Tim and Jon show how shalom is both God's intention for creation and humanity’s deepest longing, culminating in Jesus, the ultimate "Prince of Peace," who achieves unity not by force but through self-sacrifice and reconciliation. The discussion offers deep lexical, theological, and practical insight, concluding with a lived example of seeking and bestowing shalom in daily life.