How peaceful coexistence fosters harmony

Harmony of Human Nature (Soloj Resources Ventures Limited, Lagos; 2016) addresses the need to promote peaceful coexistence in life for humanity to enjoy peace. Fostering peace also enables man to attain peace within and among other people. The author, Aderemi Folasayo, a senior pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, also describes the search for peace across national and communal boundaries, among couples, co-workers and families.

The beauty of harmony is reflected, when peace is achieved across relationships through the joint efforts of friends. The author points out that every mutual effort to propagate peace brings forth harmonious fellow feeling, which bolsters peaceful coexistence. This book is put together to awaken and to direct man’s efforts in the right direction. The author draws extensively from the experiences of others, extant texts on the subject and the scriptures.

The book fulfills the need of the author to contribute his quota to peace in the world in order to preserve the world’s cultural and spiritual heritage for the incoming generation to follow. Thus, he aims to awaken the consciousness of fellow Christians in order to forestall certain dangers and the general lethargy among his countrymen. Folasayo’s diction and command of language are entrancing.

The author introduces new ideas by asking and answering questions. He delves into historical sources to augment his stock of ideas. He cites contemporary illustrations from the media, capping them with relevant bible verses. Where there are conflicts of ideology, he uses the scriptures as the final authority in all situations. Folasayo begins his discourse on peace by working his congregation towards its achievement. While keeping values of positive mental attitude, Folasayo dwells on how to identify the obstacles to peace in the environment.

The author’s use of the word ‘Nature,’ which looks fuzzy, actually provides him with the platform to treat every element of creation as one composite and integrated entity. It also provides the avenue for the reviewing of efforts that have been expended on peaceful coexistence from time immemorial.

Furthermore, the author chooses to dwell on efforts man has undertaken in order to make life peaceful in the world. He notes that challenges must be removed for peace to reign. And it has been noted that true peace can only take place in healthy companionship with others. Thus, you can only have peace when your neighbours are at peace. The problems of you neighbours affect you.

As Saint Augustine says, “Peacefulness in the face of a grave wrong that could only be stopped by violence could be a sin. Defence of oneself or others could be a necessity, especially when authorized by a legitimate authority: They have waged war in obedience to the divine command or in conformity with His laws; have represented in their persons the public justice or the wisdom of government; and in this capacity have put to death wicked men; such persons have by no means the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill.”

While not breaking the conditions necessary for a war to be just, Augustine nonetheless originated the discourse in his book, The City of God. However, 900 years later, the influential philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas used Augustine’s arguments to layout the conditions under which war could be just. Aquinas replicated the position of Augustine that there will always be wars in the world.