The written scriptures the Church proclaims to be so important, is full of references to power. It just seems the organization we call Church today has picked up the wrong power and have tried to convince ourselves it is the right power?
The world only knows one power and it is force. It shows itself in many different forms but it is always about control. It is administered through many different means of manipulation. Civil societies keep order this way. Corporations use it to attain success in the economic sector. Political parties employ it in hopes of having the power of government in their hands. Most organizations that have an agenda they seek, use some form of this worldly power.
The question for the Church seems to me to be; is it an organization of this world we desire?
Jesus said it was something different. He actually said it wasn't of this world. He used very precise language when saying this. If his kingdom was of this world, his followers would fight. We know he could have done it. He could have over-powered the Romans, but he chose not to.
Don't let the word fight get in the way though....this is about the use of any power-over tactic, any form of control...manipulation....coercion.....or force.
I think the argument about Jesus laying his life down without a fight being due to the fact that it was his calling and that it was unique to him, is old and tired and doesn't line up with scripture. The redemptive act of the cross was for Christ( God's liberating King) to accomplish. But the call to his kingdom and what that kingdom looks like is vitally important for those who would follow.
Jesus is the foundation. He is the only one. The cross and resurrection is the one event that changed everything. If it is the beginning of new creation, the starting point for each one of us, skipping over any of what the cross means leaves us somewhere other than on the road following him.
Paul speaks of the foolishness and the weakness of the cross being the power of God. What does that mean to us? Is that the message we have been given as heralds of the good news? Is that the message we proclaim and demonstrate? Speaking of it is not enough. We are called to live as if we actually believe what we are speaking.
Can we at one moment speak of the foolishness of the cross, then at the same moment live trusting in the power of the world and using it's means, and still be following Jesus?
9 comments:
Man you are hitting it on the head, I am right with you. I want this to work itself out in my life and become real, not just some mantra we say to keep up appearances. But a life of giving and loving, a coming-under type of kingdom, a whole bunch of Jesus followers that are known because we are a bunch of crazy lovers. That is where I want to be, and I can't to see what it really looks like!!!
Thanks for your thoughts on this.
It just seems that it is in our insistance of hanging onto our independence that breeds fear. We know we aren't doing well and deep down inside we know we are not safe.
So we turn to control. The only problem with that is we aren't in control of anything. It's an illusion. In that place all kinds of fear contiue to reign. We then turn to many things in an attempt to silence those fears. Most if not all of the things we turn to have to do with power and even more control. The cycle just continues.
Until we re-turn to Father as our source for all things.....life in essences.....we will continue to place our trust in things of this world.
Kent,
How do these arguments work themselves out in the area of civil authority? For example, would it mean that Police forces are no longer required? I can understand about not enforcing my own will upon someone else but what about protecting the weak and defenceless against someone or something that is committed to exploitation?
I guess this is another old argument however there are value free references to slaves in the New Testament - would that mean that any use of force against the imposition of slavery would be wrong?
I know you have children so if a scenario like the massacre at Virginia Tech occurred involving your family would you passively stand by or if given the opportunity would you have attempted to restrain Cho Seung-hui?
I know these are not easy issues so I'm not expecting a pat answer. It seems to me that there is a difference between resistance and aggression even though they may look similar outside of a specifc context.
Ian, that is usually the question people ask.
Here is how I would respond to that. I believe there is a different existance for those in Christ Jesus. If we get stuck with the old arguments we are never capible of even imagining what that other existance of lives hidden with Christ in God might be.
I would challenge you to let all those arguments go and jsut see what Father might show you.
Like Peter though, until we are faced with a tough choice we do not know how we will respond. But if we hang on to all the forceful defenses Jesus and the disciples refused to carry we will more than likely always resort to force.
Hi Kent,
I wached a show on the History Channel last night called "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed", and I was intrigued by Lucas' message about power in the story. Palpatine and Anikin both want power and, when they finally get it, whatever humanity they had was lost in the process. In the end, the empire is brought down by one person who finally realizes that winning though force is not winning at all, so he lays down his sword. Interesting message huh? I'm beginning to see why stories like Star Wars, and the Lord of the Rings have such an appeal. I think there is something deep in us that knows that power in the hands of men will lead to destruction.
Kent,
I hear what you are saying and respect your opinions. For sure, life is so much more complex than simply setting up straw-man arguments.
Rick, I wish I had seen that.
I think you are right about a longing deep inside all of us. First off, I think the longing is caused by the hopelessness, misery, and fear caused by man's grab for independence. Secondly, for anyone to not be conscious on some level of the history of human-kind when it comes to our ability to be so violent and destructive just seems impossible to imagine?
And I also believe that the cross and resurrection set in motion something that is always waiting to be realized and it is the spirit that is always moving in all of creation to reveal it to those with ears to hear and eyes to see.
The history of man's absolute inability to handle power without twisting it in ways to serve self and destroy others is just undeniable. The Church as a organized gathering since Constantine has never done any better with this power than the world outside has done.
It just seems to me that God in Christ on the cross swallowed death and liberated us from the cycle of violence. He made a way and showed us the way by suffering at the hands of it and rendering it powerless to hold us captive so as to free us from living in the fear created by living in such a violent world.
On the day Jesus died, how many do you think believed his assessment of who held real power in their hands?
The same truth holds true for us today......mere belief will not get us there.....it takes faith.
....mere belief will not get us there....it takes faith.
Isn't that true for the whole of life. I'm stitting here realizing that this conversation intersects with 'Willie's' on windrumors. If we fall into the 'doing' category, we try to seize control in order to try to make ourselves significant. Here I am -- I believe all this to be true, but I lack trust (faith) or I wouldn't be so bothered by not having something to 'do' at work right now. May God help me.
....mere belief will not get us there....it takes faith.
mere beliefs = answers..... answers too often are final destinations. They too often cause the pursuit to stop. We become fix and settled.....mankind has proven that most times where we settle is very problematic.
Faith seems to leave us with more questions than it ever gives us answers.....questions set us out on a journey with Jesus. That is exactly what happened when Jesus told stories(parables)about what his father was like and what the kingdom of heaven was like. People were left scratching their heads but many of them knew he had something to say that was important so the question stirring in them caused them to follow him. It is the life of following him that is important.
Beliefs might make us perform some sort of worship. The problem with that seems to me to be, he didn't ask us to worship him.....he asked us to follow him.
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