For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people lightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Read Chapter 8
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Such, then, should Christ’s apostles be preachers of the gospel and not ones who greet on the road. That is, not ones who look for something else, but those who proclaim the gospel out of genuine brotherly love. Let them come to the house and say, “Peace be to this house.” They do not only say it with their lips, but they pour out what they are full of. They preach peace, and they have peace. They are not like those of whom it is said, “Peace, peace, and there is no peace.” What’s the meaning of “Peace, peace, and there is no peace”? They preach it and do not have it. They praise and do not love it. They say, and they do not do. As for you, though, be sure you accept peace, whether Christ is being proclaimed casually or with sincerity. - "Sermon 101.11"
The time spoken about has come to our people. There is peace in the world and, at the same time, ruin is weighing us down from the enticement of the world—the destruction of the reckless people whom you have torn into schism. Either obey the law of the city, or leave it. You see the speck sticking in our eyes and do not even notice the beam in your own. A treacherous peace is coming to you. Persecution is rife although the wounds are hidden, and thus, without slaughter, you are destroyed. War is waged in secret because, in the midst of peace, scarcely one of you has exhibited even a hint of caution. O badly fortified and foretold for slaughter, you praise a treacherous peace—a peace that will do you more harm than good. Having become the soldiers of another than Christ, you have perished. - "The Instructions of Commodian 66"
But what can I do, I who can only wish for peace and have no power to bring it about? Even though the wish may win its reward with God, its futility must still sadden one who cherishes it. When the apostle said, “as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all,” he knew quite well that the realization of peace depends on the consent of two parties. The prophet truly cries, “They say Peace, peace: and yet there is no peace.” To overthrow peace by actions while professing it in words is not hard. To point out its advantages is one thing, and to strive for it another. People’s speeches may be all for unity, but their actions may in fact enforce bondage. I wish for peace as much as any one else; and not only do I wish for it, I ask for it. But the peace that I want is the peace of Christ; a true peace, a peace without rancor, a peace that does not involve war, a peace that will not reduce opponents but will unite friends. How can I term domination peace? I must call things by their right n...
Do not believe the false prophets who say, “Peace, peace, and there is no peace”; who are always repeating, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord.” “Your prophets have seen for you false and foolish things; they have not laid bare your iniquity that they might call you to repentance—those who devour God’s people like bread have not called on God.” Jeremiah announced the captivity and was [punished] by the people. Hananiah, the son of Azzur, broke the bars of wood for the present but was preparing bars of iron for the future. False prophets always promise pleasant things, and please for a fee. Truth is bitter, however, and those who preach it are filled with bitterness. For with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth the Lord’s Passover is kept, and it is eaten with bitter herbs. - "Against Jovinianus 2.37"
