This week's article.

A Case for Pacifism

Stories are the frame by which we make sense of our lives. Stories are the truth that give meaning to events and allow humankind to interpret our experience. I ask you, by what story are you living?

A professor told us the tale of a small boy in Sunday school, learning about the cross of Jesus for the first time. As the Romans began to nail him to the cross, the 9-year-old stood up and cried, “If Roy Rogers was there he would’ve showed them who’s boss! He would’ve stopped them from killing Jesus!”

This is the American story. The good guys come in with guns blazing, fighting valiantly to victory in the name of justice. But should this be our story?

The story of the people of God is different. For Israel, even when it came time to make war, their story said that they depended on God for their victory. Ultimately they were a bunch of “wandering Arameans” who could do nothing unless empowered by YHWH.

In Genesis 4, the result of humankind’s disobedience is revealed dramatically in a story of brother killing brother in the context of worship. No longer able to live in unhindered relationship with God, we work out our frustration in violence. By chapter 6, God is “grieved to his heart” that the earth is “full of violence.” From the beginning and continuing until now, violence is the quintessential human problem.

Is not the cross the ultimate commentary on this? God sent us his son and confronted with our own inadequacies, the best we could come up with was to kill Him.

But we are called to follow the path of Christ. This means when we are slapped to turn another cheek. We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

Does that mean Jesus has asked us to simply stand by and watch the world go to ruin?

No! Jesus calls us not to “passivism” but to seek out creative ways to promote peace—i.e. non-violent resistance. To turn the other cheek is to confront your attacker with the reality of their wrong. They are demeaning a person equal to them in the eyes of God. By turning the other cheek, you remind them of your dignity—that your hand will not be your advocate, but YHWH himself. This is the life Jesus lived. It was at his weakest moment, when he inhaled his last breath, that the Roman Centurion realized, “Surely this man was a son of God.”

As Paul encouraged us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We must actively seek ways to promote peace. That is our highest, most counter-cultural call. As it is written, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

What is your story? Who is your advocate? Will you depend on the might of Pharaoh or the faithfulness of your God and Redeemer?

I will not trust in chariots, but I trust in the name of YHWH my God, knowing that though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

I am committed to a life of non-violence. What if I am attacked? My kingdom is not of this world. But if I forsake all in order to live the life to which he has called me, then I will receive 100 times more in the life to come—but I must not expect to live this life without persecution. When I confess that Jesus is Lord, I say that I will do things His way. Ultimately that must include adopting a story of dependence on God and a commitment to non-violence.

Veronica Pistone

Contributing Columnist

On a lighter note I am making myself wear scarves. This is my attempt to be girly. More scarves, less t-shirts. So far so good. Totes M'gotes.