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The second mistake was to misunderstand peace on earth as a primitive paradise, as if it were dependent only on general goodwill and could come about only where every single human being becomes an angel; and since that cannot be expected-- even if we reject the pessimistic view of Man-- it would follow that universal peace could never be reached and every hope of it would be a Utopian dream. This mistaken idea rests ultimately on the Protestant Church's inadequate relationship to law, justice and order. It is well known, indeed, that Luther saw law only as a "work of necessity," and institution to protect the good from the wicked, and believed that mankind could dispense with law if all men were Christians (Martin Luther). But even if all men were Christians, and Christians not only in name, if every human being walked the paths of righteousness, peace would not come into being. For peace among the nations is not the fruit of love of one's neighbour but of justice "And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isa 32:17). Peace is a question of order, not of individual compassion.
(68:1)
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