Voice in the Wilderness

In wartime, many pacifists ignore Christian teachings

Continuing a recent assault on orthodox, Christian theology, this morning’s Austin American Statesman printed this pacifist piece by Bob Lively (hat tip to Appalachia Alumni Association). Citing the Sermon on the Mount, Mr. Lively laments:

“…for the most part, humanity has either ignored this message altogether or embraced those tweaked, twisted and diluted redactions authored by ideologues to make Jesus' words bless whatever political agenda, including pre-emptive wars, that suits them.”

And then, citing Mark Twain:

“Near the end of his life, he penned this revision to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic": ‘Mine eyes have seen the launching of the orgy of the Sword; he is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored; he has loosed his fateful lightning and with woe and death has scored; his lust is marching on.’

Who would possibly say "Amen" to this? Today's American religious right, to begin with.”

So, the War in Iraq was about hoarding other people’s wealth? Christians who support war bowdlerize Jesus’ words to feed a maniacal blood lust? Does Mr. Lively really believe that the “religious right”, whoever that is, sit in pews on Sunday mornings reveling in lurid tales of death and woe visited upon enemies of God and country? (If anyone reading believes this, please contact me and we will go to First Evangelical Free Church together this Sunday or next to experience the Truth). It is unfortunate that the Statesman is willing to countenance such calumny.

Ostensibly, Mr. Lively disapproves of the War in Iraq. But is ignoring, twisting, and tweaking Scripture to judge someone who thinks otherwise appropriate? Mr. Lively’s missive implies that Jesus was a pacifist and if Christians are not, they are disobedient to the Word of God and, thus, sinning. However, the Gospel accounts clearly show that Jesus understood and used conflict. Below are a few of many examples....

When faced with the commercialized desecration of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, Jesus violently overturned the tables of the moneychangers. Jesus used this violent act to symbolically make peace between God and men by removing a sinful barrier between them, a tangible foreshadowing of His work on the Cross.

Upon meeting a Roman military commander, Jesus was amazed at the man’s faith and complemented him highly. There is no admonition from Jesus that the centurion must repent from being a warrior.

Finally, as He was about to send out His disciples, Jesus said,

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.’

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

That sounds harsh at first. The reason for this apparent divisiveness is human sin and God’s ultimate reconciliation of it, the death and resurrection of Christ. But, according to Jesus teachings, there is no middle ground. We cannot allow anything, no matter how good and precious, to come between Him and us in our hearts. Choose Him and choose life!

Texas Senate Seeks to Stop the B(c)S

A big tip o' the ten gallon to In the Pink, where I learned about SB 1790, recently filed by Senator Jeff Wentworth, which would restrict Texas university football teams from playing in the current Bowl Championship Series if 4 other states pass similar laws by December 1, 2005. The bill further stipulates that the NCAA must enact a 16-team playoff before Texas teams can participate.

Well, where to begin with this one?

Besides the (apparently irrelevant) fact that this topic is nowhere near the scope of the Texas state government's authority, it could really be a bummer if this bill was somehow passed and enacted. In that case, if any Texas division I schools earned a spot in the BCS next year, they would be prohibited from collecting that rich payoff and other conference schools would also be deprived of their share of the loot. I suggest Senator Wentworth find out the number of Texas Ex’s and A&M Former Students live in his district to identify how many voters this ill-conceived bill will alienate.

While I agree there should be a 16 team play off for NCAA Division I football, which I blogged about here, I do not think a legislative remedy is the right approach. If Senator Wentworth and other Members are serious about reforming the Bowdlerized Competitive Séance, they should take their case to the people and start a grassroots movement: They should start a blog on the topic. Last time I checked, http://www.stopthebcs.org was still available.

But His Grace is Sufficient for All

I spent my Easter vacation frolicking amongst the golf courses and fine dining establishments of Salado, Texas with my grandma and family from Iowa. Thus, it was not until my return when I happened upon a curiously timed piece from James H. Dee in the Austin American Statesman, dated March 24th, claiming that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was untrue.

Well that is a bit of rude awakening during the Holiest week of the year for believers in the Christian faith. The day before Good Friday, the day commemorating Jesus execution by crucifixion, the Statesman decided it would be a good idea to run an obviously inflammatory piece essentially calling professing Christians ignorant and dishonest. I do not recall a similar, hostile piece run about the Muslim faith during the Islamic holy season of Ramadan or about the Jewish faith in the days leading up to Yom Kippur.

Certainly, I have no problem with an airing of the attacks on the Christian faith. The Body of Christ, based wholly on the Resurrection of Jesus, has survived much worse during its existence and will continue to do so until the end of time. While the timing and nature of the attack is bad editorial judgment at best and vaguely calumnious at worst, the bigger problem for me was that this attack was issued forth with no same-day rebuttal. It is reasonable to expect a full and fair hearing of both sides of this critical issue in a public forum. Why did the Statesman editorial staff think it would be a good idea to be a one-sided megaphone for anti-Christianity a few days before Easter? (Two days later, the Statesman printed a (sort of) rebuttal by Titus Presler, but it skirted most of the attacks made in the previous column and lacked the punch it would have had if it ran on the same day).

Dr. William Lane Craig, Dr. Ray Bohlin, and Pat Zukeran among others have exhaustively debunked Mr. Dee’s claims. Instead of rehashing these polemics, I urge you to consider who Jesus is, what He did, and the grace he shows to everyone, including people who attack Him.

According to the Scriptural record, Jesus

• Claimed He was God
• Performed several miracles (click here, here, and here) to prove He was God
• Taught that humankind has a universal sin problem that separates them from God
• Taught that separation from God would have severe, eternal consequences
• Would save people from their sins
• Showed that believing Him was the only way to receive the free gift of Heaven
• Promised His presence to His people after His departure
• Promised true life to His followers
• Counseled His disciples to love and pray for His enemies and rebuked their thoughts of worldly vengeance

It is totally within the character of Christ to forgive Mr. Dee for his attacks and the Statesman for its questionable judgment on this issue. He has forgiven me for much worse things. That simple fact that He was killed for our follies, then came back from the dead to cancel out said follies in God’s eyes should absolutely blow you away.

Dear friend, I urge you to deeply contemplate the facts about Jesus, the event the Easter Holiday represents, and how His grace can impact your life, both in this world and the next. I am praying for you, as I care deeply for your soul.

He is risen, indeed!