taking the teeth out of the satan

Scot McKnight wrote an excellent post worthy of framing on the meaning of Jesus’ death. What is often lost in the reformed emphasis especially, is the view that for God’s people (and ultimately for the world) God puts in place a new way of being human that breaks the endless cycle of tit for tat, violence. And refuses every other way other than the way of the cross in this life.

We must love our enemies no matter what. We must refuse to listen to the accuser both of God and of the brethren (sisters and brothers in Jesus), the satan. No matter what, we must take the way of not only nonviolence and nonresistance, but active love, the way of the cross.

But since Constantine, the church largely took another way. From it being illegal to be a Christian and serve in the Roman military, in time only Christians could serve in the military. Before Constantine, the church fathers taught against Christians using violence. But Augustine rationalized such use with the help of worldly sources (Cicero, someone like that). Augustine had to talk around Jesus’ teaching, and much of the church followed his error. And the result over the centuries has been anything but pretty, oftentimes even from worldly standards. Not that the world is going to put a charitable construction on what Christians do. But admittedly, aside from that, this is sadly the case.

However you see the relation of the church and state, or whether or not a Christian can kill, we must still take the way of the cross, the way of love. We must love our enemies, and refuse the voice of the accuser against our sisters and brothers in Jesus.

It is through Jesus and his cross that this new way of love was made possible. Through the cross God set in life a new way of love which is to rule the day, over the old way of force, which at best has limited value, and at worst is detrimental, as has been seen over and over again in old and recent history. It is only through God’s grace in Jesus that we can walk in this way. But this is the way we are to choose. And we do so, regardless of how we feel about it, or whether we’re ready or not. I am speaking of a posture of how we obey, how we live with reference to Jesus’ commands in this world. Of course we want to pray and grow to the point that it is in our heart to do these things. But the grace of God in the love of God in Jesus helps us to take the way of the cross, even when we don’t want to do that. The way of humility and love.

We in Jesus are in this way in him together for the world.

read the Sermon on the Mount

I really don’t think Christians or the Christianity in general which I grew up with (even as a Mennonite, perhaps) took seriously enough Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. And Jesus told his disciples before his ascension that they were not only to be witnesses of him, to proclaim him, but to teach all those baptized from all nations to the end of the age to obey all he commanded them. The Sermon on the Mount is a centerpiece of what he taught and commanded.

I have seen gossip*, as well as unloving attitudes among Christians, rolling one’s eyes up against another, simply too common (with wonderful exceptions). We chalk that down to the thought that we’re sinners (and, “Everyone does it.”). Or we even justify it. But actually it’s disobedience to Christ, the one who says that if we love him, we’ll do what he commands. We make a big deal out of protecting ourselves with guns from any intruder, or any enemy, when Jesus tells us otherwise. We make it a priority to gain wealth, maybe get a nice slice of the pie in the American enterprise to realize something of the American Dream when Jesus tells us plainly in the Sermon that instead we’re to pursue his kingdom. And not to do that. Or what about our propensity to put hard and fast judgments on others.

From a misreading of scripture we’ve had at least one whole section of the church relegate the Sermon on the Mount either to a bygone day, or a time yet to come. Which actually ended up infecting many churches and Christians, who officially did not hold to that doctrine. And we’ve had other leaders who gave lip service to the Sermon (in the Reformation), but whose theology really had little room for it. They still lived in and imported much of what had been the norm for Israel in the old covenant.

Reading the Sermon on the Mount, and then seeing much of the rest of the New Testament to a large extent echoing as well as unfolding the teaching of that Sermon is not only eye opening, but revolutionary to one’s faith and practice. Instead we are relegated to a significant degree to get on better on our worldly way, now that we have Christ.

Words are cheap, and it’s easy to talk this way. Much harder to live it out. But we need to do just that. We need each other in this. As the Sermon along with all of Jesus’ teachings and example, and all the truth that is in Jesus becomes more and more the heart of who we are together in him in our witness to the world.

*I mentioned gossip when writing this, probably because those who see Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount as important for our lives today, would at least know better than to do that. Although gossip does not break the letter of the Sermon since it is not mentioned, it shatters the spirit of it.

the church not of the world, but in and for the world

The machine grinds on. I didn’t stay up to hear the president’s State of the Union speech last night, partly due to the hour I need to rise. I don’t like to be up that late, or I likely would have been tuned in. I will gather what I can, and perhaps will listen to it on the computer downstairs (this computer spews everything out faster and in a higher pitch).

I am betwixt and sometimes not knowing just how to look at it. Except that I believe the good news of God’s kingdom come in Jesus does have something, even much to say with reference to the world’s mess. But it says it in terms of Jesus and God’s will in him. And that is to be played out in the mission of the church, no less. Although I don’t think I’m in danger of becoming a Roman Catholic with all due respect to them, I think the Vatican gets something right on this score. It is about the church in the world, to them. And yet they endeavor to speak as a moral witness to the world against war, abortion, the death penalty, injustice to the poor. But they too were victims of the Constantinian shift, which in time resulted in Christian killing Christian in the name of the state, not to mention Christians killing non-Christians. Not following our Lord in that.

And so yes, I think I ought to pay attention to the politics of this world. At the same time I know that’s not where it’s at in terms of God’s calling for us who follow Christ, for the church. In Jesus there is something much better, which America, which the world is to see from us. Even in the midst of all our brokenness, growing up, even our errors and deficiencies. Yes, the world should be impacted as well as see the salt and light that we are. Through Jesus by the Spirit, I think that is true to the extent that we don’t sully and hide ourselves through embracing something less than our calling in Jesus.

And so hopefully we speak prophetically in Jesus across the board. Here in America to Democrats, Republicans, Independents, to the entire system. Not just to one side or the other. Following Jesus together as the one holy nation in and for the world.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the error of the Reformers in qualifying Jesus’ teaching on non-resistance

The Reformers offered a decisively new interpretation of this passage,* and contributed a new idea of paramount importance. They distinguished between personal sufferings and those incurred by Christians in the performance of duty as bearers of an office ordained by God, maintaining that the precept of nonviolence applies to the first but not to the second. In the second case we are not only freed from obligation to eschew evil, but if we want to act in a genuine spirit of love we must do the very opposite, and meet force with force in order to check the assault of evil. It was along these lines that the Reformers justified war and other legal sanctions against evil. But this distinction between person and office is wholly alien to the teaching of Jesus. He says nothing about that. He addresses his disciples as men who have left all to follow him, and the precept of non-violence applies equally to private life and official duty. He is the Lord of all life, and demands undivided allegiance.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, 159.

*Matthew 5:38-42: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

the power of the cross

I wonder at our belief as Christians in the power of the cross of Christ, when we don’t readily extend forgiveness to those who repent, as Jesus commanded us to. When we make so much of the fear of God, as if Jesus didn’t take the condemnation deserved on himself on the cross. When we resort to the “sword” in clear violation of Jesus’ teaching to resist evil not with evil in return, but with good.

I do believe the cross is not a blank check for the world to go on as always, as if it’s forgiven no matter what. A kind of penance is proper and in order for a repenting brother or sister in Jesus, proving their repentance by a changed life over time. But forgiveness is to be immediate, in the heart no matter what, and extended in word when our brother or sister repents, if we’re obedient to our Lord.

Some Christians make much out of the fear of God. Others don’t seem to take it seriously enough. It is what it is, but the cross is what it is, as well. It is a new day because of Jesus’ cross, his death and resurrection. Do we live like that, or not? Do we share this good news with others, the gospel of Christ, that they too may come to have faith? And what difference should the cross make in our daily lives? In how we see our brothers and sisters in Jesus? In how we see enemies? In how we see the world? Do we believe the cross of Christ has transformative power to change lives? To change life (on every level)? Big questions. But the point of this post is that we in Jesus need to see everything through the cross. Personally and together in Jesus for the world.

the coming of the Prince of Peace

Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.

There is one and one only who will bring peace on the earth. We remember the wonderful words that glorious night:

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Followed by these words:

Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

Peace is certainly the absence of war as the Isaiah passage makes clear. War will come to an end when the Prince of Peace comes to reign. But the peace spoken of in the Isaiah passage means much more. “Prince of Peace” means Prince who brings well being. The word translated “peace” is the Hebrew word transliterated shalom. Shalom is not just the absence of evil, but the presence of good. Human flourishing will occur in this kingdom, indeed humanity will at long last realize its God-given potential.

Peace may be an attribute of the prince to come, in the Hebrew (John Oswalt). In other words what this Prince will bring to the world is something characteristic of him. In a true sense it comes from his very being as well as what he does. By his presence, and all that brings, peace in the sense of justice and righteousness comes with mercy.

In Jesus this is fulfilled, the one who made peace through his death: between humans and God, and from that between humans themselves. This well being and flourishing will be holistic. In other words it will pervade all sense of being, and all systems in place on earth. But again it is grounded in the peace that Jesus brought through the blood of the cross, that is, through his death. That is the peace the world needs, the only peace that is real, through and through. And through Jesus, this is to be our way of life, even now. In his first coming, he loved his enemies even to his death, and taught his disciples to follow him in that same “way.”

And so we look forward to the coming of the Prince of Peace. While seeking to live out in community in Jesus in the church the beginning of this kingdom on earth in the present. In and through the Prince of Peace: Jesus, for the world.

what narrative are you living by?

We are in the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States in which we remember the ultimate sacrifice paid by many Americans in service to their country in the military. It is a powerful narrative with a long enough history which has involved a number of great men and women. “War is hell” and many have entered heroically into that scenario, often at great personal cost. America, its founding, and what it stands for is a compelling narrative all by itself, as told and understood by millions here. Though like most everything else in life it is messier than we make it out to be. But such is life. A good case in point is the American Civil War with the greatest American president in most people’s view (including my own) then in office, Abraham Lincoln. That war shows both the greatness of human sacrifice, as well as the devastation war brings. Evidently the narrative of war had a fairly good grip on me as a child, because I remember pretending I was in battles, even though raised in the Mennonite church in which we were taught that it is wrong for a Christian to go to war or to kill another human being.

First I want to say I am thankful to live in a nation in which we are free to worship according to conscience, and live out our faith, even to the extent that those of us who are Christian pacifists can register as “conscientious objectors,” and serve during war time in other ways. Some serve as medics or chaplains.

I have no doubt that some of the best Christians in the world have served and do serve in the military. They are there not only to serve their country, but also to do good in the world. As well as to make a living, which should never be belittled as an important factor, in and of itself.

Back to the question, and main point of this post. What is the narrative we live by? And what is the narrative we are to live by? I don’t intend to give any hard, fast answers to either. Indeed there is always a complexity which can easily be largely missed. In fact I want to be open to such complexity to the extent that I’m willing to seriously consider how the narrative of serving one’s country even in the military might work in the narrative of God’s kingdom come in Jesus. At least I want to listen, and in some ways I’m compelled to, since I live in an area where Christians take for granted that something of the sort indeed does exist.

The narrative, or story we are to be living by is the story of God in Jesus, God’s kingdom come and present in him. It is a narrative which puts all other narratives in their proper place. Another narrative can be taken up into and become part of this narrative only in terms of what the main narrative does, indeed what the gospel or good news of Jesus does. It is a narrative that is larger than life, and yet is meant to impact, and is indeed for life in the here and now.

What narrative are we living by? What story is the one that best explains why we live as we do? I imagine that while we all live under one specific narrative, it is influenced by other narratives, and indeed is perhaps meant to be, understood correctly. Or perhaps it is an amalgamation which is not entirely true to any of the stories in that amalgamation.

At any rate this is an important question to raise and consider. Even as we are thankful for the people of our nation, as well as those around the world, who have sacrificed, fought, and paid the ultimate price out of duty and a sense of doing what is right and good. As we go on according to and in the narrative of God’s kingdom and grace come in Jesus, together for the world.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the gospel

The gospel at its heart is the proclamation of God that his grace and kingdom has come in Jesus the Messiah. The one hope of the world. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke, at a crucial point in American history something of the goal of the gospel into this nation and its stronghold in opposition to that. At great personal cost not only in the end. He taught and lived out a resisting of evil by speaking and doing good. Not in returning evil for evil. Or even in defending one’s self.

The gospel brings reconciliation to God and humankind, and breaks down the barriers between humans. Racism divides peoples all over the earth. In America with the legacy of injustice in slavery, the struggle to overcome long after Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was far from over.

The church needs prophetic voices such as that we heard from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaking the truth of God’s kingdom come in Jesus into the the cultures of earth, the strongholds of sin in this world. Lacking this, we lack the outworking of the gospel. In fact we are not proclaiming the fullness of the gospel when we fail to see its application as touching all of culture and creation.

We know this world’s system will be overturned only when Jesus reappears. Now it is the church, Christ’s body on earth, which lives out God’s kingdom come in Jesus. The church which is the light of the world and the salt of the earth in and through Jesus, in its following of him.

And so the gospel is about personal salvation, yes. To know God personally. And it is also about the salvation ultimately of the world. In terms of God’s kingdom come in Jesus. A light now present by which the powers and authorities will be judged. Meant to bring good even here and now. Through us in Jesus. As we await the one who will bring complete peace and concord when heaven and earth become one in him.

In sharing this video, I am not endorsing the organization which posted it, nor am I now suggesting that the organization is not doing good.

would Jesus go to war?

I have much respect for men and women who put their lives on the line, in harm’s way in service to their country.  And I have no doubt that some of the best Jesus followers have served and continue to serve in the military. Not wanting to kill, but to protect and help against evil.

But as a Jesus follower I ask the question: Would Jesus go to war? And my initial response for a number of reasons is a resounding, No. But we need another question: What does that matter?

After all, Jesus is Jesus. Yes, I know I’ve given short shrift or really none at all to the consideration that Jesus might indeed fight in a war. But for the sake of argument, let’s assume that he would not. Jesus is certainly unique, the God-Man/Human who came for our salvation, indeed the Savior of the world.

While that’s true, are we not to be his followers in this world? Are we not to do what he did, say what he said? Are we not to become like him in everything beginning in this life? The disciple is to be like their Master, Jesus said.

Of course we have to base our final answer on a consideration of all of scripture. And especially pertaining to the church. All kinds of interpretive matters come up, which after Christians work through them (or even how they work through them), they may well end up differing and coming to varied conclusions.

At heart no follower of Jesus wants to kill another. But I believe scripture does not warrant the actual taking of another’s life by a follower of Jesus. The way of Jesus is never the way of the sword, but the way of the cross. Never with physical weapons, but only with weapons of the Spirit. In the war that will truly end all wars. On earth as it is in heaven.

the problem with America

As the United States moves toward possible default of its debt, many citizens and Christians from various angles with differing reasons are decrying the state of this nation. The debates will go on. But I think the problem with America lies at its heart, at its very foundation.

Yes, there is much to commend about America. People from Europe were fleeing the state churches to worship in the new land according to the dictates of conscience. And the United States from the beginning stated (if not lived by) the ideal for all humans of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

I would submit that for all the good in America, it’s problem goes back centuries before. All the way back to Constantine, when the church and the state were joined together as one. That is when the church not only was in the world, but was joined to it. In an unholy alliance. Which by and large continues in some degree to this day.

Historians to a significant extent, with interesting exceptions, agree that there were serious issues and problems with this new arrangement. Not the least of which was the church’s unquestioning loyalty to the state in the matter of taking up the sword. Enter “the Crusades”. That in itself with all sorts of complexities. But at its heart was a departure by the church to adhere to its true calling of following Christ as the people of God, the new (or renewed) Israel.

The problem with America from my perspective as an evangelical Christian with Anabaptist leanings is a problem of identity. We have so closely identified ourselves with our nation, indeed this is common practice by Christians in many nations, that the witness of the church as a viable alternative to the world is significantly lost.

Enter in the problem of just what our participation in the state, especially a state like America should be. America in some important ways was a step in a quite good direction. Laying a foundation for the church to be true to its calling, without participation in such state activities as the military. One could live out fully, by and by, or in the right place, the dictates of their conscience from their faith.

What does it mean to be a Christian in America, or in any nation, for that matter? What does it mean to be part of the new, renewed Israel, one in Christ, and scattered throughout the world? And how do we live that out in this democratic republic, this liberal democracy? Questions with answers Christians will see differently, even those who believe our lone identity is in Jesus as citizens of heaven.*

*Paul was a Roman citizen, but if Israel would have gone to war against Rome, and if Rome would have conscripted Paul for military service in the war, given Paul’s Jewishness, and what he believed the people of God are in this world, would he have gone?  A good question. Surely any citizenship in this world is necessarily always secondary to our citizenship in heaven.