Taking Time for Peace Part 2

Darren asks what is the proper Christian response to Nick Berg's murder, and how does God want us to respond to evil actions?

I didn't write about this last week because I was, frankly, spiritually disturbed, first over the torture of prisoners, then over Mr. Berg's murder.  The world is going to hell in a handbasket, etc.  Maybe it's just time passing, but I think I might be able to address this now without a huge rant or writing something so despondent that it makes us all feel like staying in bed with the covers over our faces. 

So, what would a Christian response to evil look like?  Darren reminds us that Christians cannot seek revenge, and suggests that we treat prisoners like princes.  I also read Marvin's idea, which is a reaction to the NCC's call for the U.N. to take over Iraq:

"Why doesn't the National Council of Churches step up to the plate and offer to take over Iraq instead of foisting this huge problem on the U.N.? Let's sell off both their property on Riverside Drive and the offices of its member denominations. That'll generate some revenue. Ship the denominational bureaucrats and windbag clergy (including myself) to Iraq to replace the CPA. Give our 18-26 year-old members some options: Peace Corps, Christian Peacemaker Teams, etc., or go find another "church" to call home. Why do "prophetic Christians" limit their mission to telling world governments what they ought to do instead of challenging Christians themselves with what we ought to do?"

This is brilliant.  I love it.  Of course, I'm not sure that the NCC has the expertise to do it, but it's exactly the kind of thinking we need inside the Church.  This is a proper Christian response to evil.  It's a great reminder that "prophetic Christians" (I'm guessing he means liberal mainliners) love to tell the government what to do and spend lots of time protesting the government and trying to change it, as if the primary purpose of Church is to get the kingdom of God legislated instead of being or living into the kingdom of God.  Not that trying to change laws is wrong, but are we more comfortable changing things outside the box, instead of embodying that change inside?

Of course, this is also the kind of thinking that, if I followed it, might get me killed.  As Peter said,

"There have been times throughout its history when Christianity has been a movement that challenged people in the way that Pat Tillman’s life and death challenge us now. But are we still? Have we become so suburbanized that our lives have become indistinguishable from those who do not follow the Crucified One? What are we willing to walk away from? How much are we willing to risk?"

This question truly challenges me.  No, I'm not running off to join the Christian Peacemaker Teams, though I had fantasies about it last week.  I need to reflect on how I can offer my own witness to peace.  In the meantime, I wrote this last year and I still believe it.  Christians do not let evil define how they live.  We do not deny that terrorism or war has made a difference in our lives (in some more gravely than others) but we do not let it make all the difference, otherwise "our lives become determined by the kind of urgency that robs us of the freedom to enjoy the time God has given us to make peace possible...peace is not a static state but an activity which requres constant attention and care." (Hauerwas, "Taking Time for Peace: The Ethical Significance of the Trivial")

I can think of no activity more peaceful than the eucharist.  Last week I felt a strong desire for communion.  After I received it on Sunday, I didn't feel more peaceful.  But that wasn't the point.  I participated in the most peaceful act of the Church, one which remembers the torture and death of our Savior.  I took of the body and blood of Christ, which was poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I offered myself in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us. 

Of course, it wasn't my father or brother's head who was cut off.  It wasn't my father or brother who was tortured by the American soldiers.  You might say it's easy for me to sit here and talk about peace or forgiveness or forsaking revenge.  But if it happened to me or someone I love, I hope the Church would have formed me properly so that I could offer a Christian response to evil.  And if I failed, I hope that my brothers and sisters would remind me who and whose I am.