It’s kind of a deceptive title, because I am still a Mennonite. Maybe a better title is “Why I’m sick of Mennonites” But whatever you call this entry, here it is for all of you who have asked for it. I don’t feel like it is very clear or concise, but ask questions if they arise.
Over the past few years I have been noticing an increasing trend among the MC USA crowd. Many of them love to talk about being a pacifist, and they love to tell other people that they should become pacifists. I’m a pacifist; I strongly believe that the love of Christ is stronger than violence. But these people have meetings and classes on how to be good pacifists. People go to
Recently I ended up at a service/rally at which Jim Wallis spoke. He was strongly promoting pacifism and morals as part as something that we should encourage in government. I agree. A moral and pacifistic government is a wonderful idea. But how he wanted us to get there intrigued me. He said that in a few weeks he was going to
Now by saying this I’m sure I will arouse quite a response from some of you. That’s fine. I don’t mind responses. Please don’t feel like I am personally attacking you. If people want to focus on Peace and Justice they can feel free, my main concern is that they will allow their faith in Christ to be eroded. And of course, if you want to talk to me about my thoughts I am more than glad to.
4 comments:
I notice the overwelming response to your comments!!!!
uncle d
go zak, keep the main thing the main thing.. ant lou
You are exactly correct. You bring a good point to the table when you talk about how we as mennonites will disregard one biblical command to fulfill another. doesn't really make sense does it?
Joel Z
hey Zach
Guess what! I'm sometimes sick of Mennos too. I agree with a lot of what you say--there's even record in print to my views, (which I still at least partially agree with) see weathervane.emu.edu/issues/v49n6/10_10_02_Page_7.pdf
I also have a 25-page critical paper on how Mennos came to make pacifism so central to the gospel.
You make good points about the role of public prayer and the dangers of allowing one teaching to take over our whole xnt. A lot of people do this! not just with pacifism, and its highly annoying.
Nonetheless, I had some questions:
1. If you are a pacifist, and this belief is presumably (hopefully) related to your faith, why would it seem odd for xns to have classes about it? Would you object to having classes teaching us how to pray, what the Bible says about sexual faithfulness, or how to be good parents? (incidentally, the Bible has much more to say about violence than about parenthood).
2. People like Jim Wallis are very clear that their pacifist stance is based on their Christian faith. While this is not true of all Mennos, (I've even talked to some who claim to be "secular Mennonites"!?) most xn pacifists, Menno and otherwise, say clearly: "We believe . . . . because Jesus . . . ." What additional ways would you like to see pacifism connected to Christianity?
3. You say that your main concern is that if people focus on peace and justice, their faith in Christ will be eroded. Now, that would indeed be horrible, and I know some people who have gone that far. But, if you really believe that Jesus and the Bible taught about peace and justice, then how does focusing on those things, as expressions of your faith in Christ, lead to erosion of your faith in Christ? If you talk too much about worship, family values, reading the Bible, or believing in the Trinity or other Biblical teachings, are you afraid you faith in Christ will be eroded? (Actually, those latter 3 are bad examples, since Jesus didn't talk much about any of them.)
4. You state that "we are best off if we focus on becoming like Christ, he was after all the best pacifist ever." I agree, especially in the sense that we need a transformative relationship, not simply a set of moral prescriptions, especially ones disproportionately focused on . . . anything. On the other hand, there are millions of people who sincerely thought(think) they were(are) focused on becoming like "Christ" who, in the name of their faith, have killed Anabaptists, started the Crusades, participated in wars, oppressed the poor, promoted racial discrimination, hung niggers, beat up homosexuals, etc. "Becoming like Christ" is a powerful motive, but ONLY IF we accompany that motive by learning and teaching what "Christ" means. "What would Jesus do" cannot ever become "What would a fine, morally strong person who holds my values do" but "What did the Son of God, anointed to preach the gospel to the poor in first century Palestine, to redeem the world through his death and resurrection, and to inaugurate the end of the world's kingdoms and the nonviolent beginning of the kingdom of God, etc., do." We have to fill our faith with specific Biblical content, or it devolves into the cherishing of pious views about the beliefs we held all along.
Oops, that last one wasn't a question. Hey, you said I should tell you what I think about your thoughts. BTW, I dreamt last night I was dodging bullets--a frequent theme for me. Then someone organized "peace games" between the people who were trying to kill each other (over, I believe, property rights related to the "divorce" of a homosexual couple) The peace games consisted of building a castle out of playdough together. Hmmmm. Freud would have fun with that one.
I hope your bodily interaction goes well--especially coordinating arms and a brain.
Post a Comment