A Humbled Resistance

A Response to The Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President

 

Theology (cont.)

 

War and Violence

 

Though this is a major theme in TIR and JFP and a very important one, I will only give it brief attention since I am focused more on the gospel and its faithful proclamation. 

 

I35 hate war, but I am a believer in just-war theory36 .  Before I launch into a critique of Claiborne’s comments, let me first make some concessions that may make some on the political right cringe.  I don’t believe we have the right to fight wars to ensure the stability of our economy (a.k.a. the free flow of oil at market prices…).  We don’t have a “right” to the standard of living that we have created for ourselves that can be justifiably defended.  While it is noble and right to come to the aid of our neighbors under attack and oppression, history will not be kind to us if it becomes clear that we only did it when we had something to gain economically.  Were these oppressive and terror supporting regimes worse than others where we did nothing?  We cannot be afraid to face the tough questions, examine our miserable hearts, repent and reform where we should.

 

Claiborne never engages the arguments of just-war theory but chooses instead to rig “debates” and grossly oversimplify:

 

We had some good times together, including a debate we hosted (okay rigged) for all of the ROTC cadets in which we “debated” just-war theory and surprisingly came out agreeing that when Jesus said, “Love your enemies,” he meant not to kill them. (TIR 95-96)

 

In TIR Claiborne speaks of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as a “spiritual writer and fellow resister” (TIR 320) but not until the later book do they even acknowledge why Bonhoeffer was executed by the Nazis.  Rather than for “joining the poor” or peacemaking, it was for his participation in an assassination attempt on Adolph Hitler.  Though Bonhoeffer hated war and looked for every possible alternative to violence, he finally realized that Hitler must be stopped:

 

This was why Bonhoeffer could pray for Germany to be defeated, despite the terrible conditions which a defeat would bring. The most important political, humanistic, ethical and Christian goal for him was getting rid of the tyranny of Hitler. He once explained his participation in the resistance by this analogy: if a drunken driver drives into a crowd, what is the task of the Christian and the church? To run along behind to bury the dead and bind up the wounded? Or isn’t it, if possible, to get the driver out of the driver’s seat?37

 

Sadly, Bonhoeffer’s heroically laying down his life for his friends is disrespected in   JFP as “Another attempt to pick up the sword went haywire, not only fueling further bloodshed but costing our brother Bonhoeffer his own life…” I’m left wondering their view of the liberation of the Jews in Europe, and those who died in the effort.  Perhaps Claiborne and Haw would benefit from watching episode nine of “Band of Brothers” titled “Why We Fight38 ,” repeatedly until their confidence in the inherent goodness of man is finally shaken.

 

Claiborne also quotes an unknown saint (I searched and couldn’t find who it was) in his explanation of his trip to Iraq:

 

As one of the saints said, “if they come for the innocent and do not pass over our bodies, then cursed be our religion.” (TIR 367)

 

I wonder if the unnamed saint could have meant something more by this quote than simply “wait! kill me first!”  It would be hard to find a better just-war quote.

 

I did find a glimmer of hope where Claiborne and Haw make this wise admission:

 

When we talk about peacemaking and the “third way of Jesus.”  People inevitably ask bizarre situational questions like, “if someone broke into your house and was raping your grandmother, what would you do?”  We can’t exhaustively troubleshoot every situation with a nonviolent “strategy.”  (JFP 273)

 

It is a bit disturbing that Claiborne finds this scenario “bizarre.”  Evil men perpetrate these kinds of things every day.  Sometimes they are alone, sometimes in bands, and sometimes they form armies and perpetrate even greater evils.  Bonhoeffer figured that out, but it appears Claiborne and Haw have not.

 

Finally, I think it would be helpful also if Claiborne would at least make an attempt to differentiate between “killing in the name of God” where it is consistent with the beliefs and practices of the religion (Islam) and where it is done by zealots in violation of their own faith (Christianity).

 

---

 

<< Back to the Outline >>