Countercultural Stuff That Jesus Taught (Part I)

Non-violence:
Virtually everywhere I look in our society, violence is advocated as the necessary way to make the world work. For example:
• Warfare -We applaud a military going to war as long as we see them working on the side of justice. (Of course, justice is a bit slippery to define. Who doesn’t think their cause is righteous… or at least justified? No matter which side you talk to, everyone thinks they are on the side of good.)
• Stories - Within movies, TV, and books, violence is admired and celebrated – especially when it is used in vindication or revenge or in situations of perceived self-defense or the defense of other “innocent” people. As long as the right guy wins in the end, it doesn’t matter what it took to get there. (I’m not even referring to “shoot ‘em up films / shows / books that glorify violence in a gratuitous manner.)
• Video Games - How many video games would be left on the shelf if the ones advocating a violent approach to solving problems were removed?
• Penal System - When someone does a heinous / violent crime, the way to deal with it is to “push for the death penalty,” right? (Apparently another death vindicates the first.)

I have been reflecting on the teaching of Jesus and the New Testament writers on this topic. From all of the reflecting and studying I have done so far, I can find no way to justify the use of violence by a Jesus follower. Contrary to the pragmatist approach of our world, violent means are never justified (even by a “good” outcome). According to the New Testament teaching, human beings are not entrusted with the right to take another person’s life. In fact, in the climactic moment of the New Testament the only truly “innocent” (just, pure, noble, righteous) human being to ever live on planet earth refuses to use violent means to defend Himself and His cause He unjustly suffers and dies while at the same time forgiving his executioners and chastising His followers who “didn’t get it” because they attempted to use violence in His defense. How anyone can derive a legitimate foundation for violence (in self-defense or otherwise) out of this story is mystifying to me. Jesus clearly teaches, “Love your enemies” which I think means that we shouldn’t kill them.

I have had a number of discussions recently with people who disagree with the idea of universal non-violence (and especially with the “real world” out-workings of such an idea). The conversations are always stimulating. But as I see it, in the end it comes down to this: Do we make our ethical stance on this issue based on what seems to be pragmatic and expedient according to our view of “how the world works,” or do we submit ourselves to the univocal voice of the New Testament and Jesus on this issue?

For interest’s sake, let’s just say we take Jesus at His word about this… how does that impact the way we live? What does that mean about the video games we play (why would entertain ourselves for hours with violence that we find ourselves opposed to in real life?), the stories we celebrate (notice I said “celebrate” not necessarily watch / read / tell – you cannot isolate yourself from violence in our world… putting one’s head in the sand is a non-scriptural idea.), the patriotism expected of us (“support the troops”), the jobs we work at (see below), the actions we take when we or loved ones are threatened, etc.?

With regard to employment… should an aerospace engineer who is a Jesus-follower take a job working for a government contractor who designs military attack aircraft meant to destroy other human beings in conflict? Are they not assisting and abetting the cause of warfare and violence? Should a Jesus-follower work as a police officer if that means the potential of using deadly force against another human being? Admittedly, these are difficult questions.

But let’s be honest. These kinds of questions aren’t even on the radar screen of most Christians. Beyond this, they seem completely ridiculous when considered from the standpoint of our culture. But are Christians supposed to look to culture to set our ethical agenda? I am strongly advocating for a new breed of Jesus followers who take their cues from a different narrative – one that is often in marked contrast to the narrative that guides our culture. It may mean that Jesus-followers are laughed out of the public square. That’s ok, it wouldn’t be the first time. After all, Paul talks about how the gospel was a “stumbling block” to Jews and “foolishness” to the rest of the world (gentiles). Christians were marginalized and thought quite strange for the first couple of centuries of Christianity. But this is also the same era in which Christianity seems to have been most alive. Is that an accident? I don’t think so. As soon as Christianity became legitimized by the governing authorities and accepted as mainstream, it became diluted with all sorts of cultural baggage and assumptions that took the “edge” out of it. Now we live with a toothless, culturally adapted message. Who wants to give their life for that?

So, what are Jesus-followers supposed to do about the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament about violence? Can we put this question back on the table for discussion?