Non-Violence and God

Good discussion on the previous post. This is one of the reasons that I blog; (even though not as frequent as I would like) the interaction provokes deeper thinking.

As stated before, I don't know where to come down for sure. I am convinced that there is a consistent peace message in Scripture. The question that Hardin and Weaver specifically addresses is "does God use violence"? Of course Hardin and Weaver says, NO, the heart of God is non-violence.

Here are other answers that I see among writers and theologians.
1. God uses violent means to combat evil and we can as well.
2. God uses violence to combat evil, but it is a divine perogative. We are asked to be non-violent and leave God's wrath to him.
3. The heart of God is non-violent and we follow His example of non-violence.

Which option do you lean toward? Are there more options?

Non-Violent Atonement?

I attended a one day seminar this past week in Iowa City, entitled, "The Non-Violent Atonement". The authors of the two books displayed here were two of the main speakers. It was enlightening, although difficult to put together how if feel about it at this point. I, on the one hand, feel compelled to discover and promote readings of Scripture that support a peace theology. Yet, on the other, I am wrestling with whether I agree with the presenters in all their details.

Let me share the premise of Weaver and Hardin. Jesus, is the center of revelation of who God is and what He is like. Jesus talks about loving enemies, turning the other cheek, and how blessed are the peacemakers. He confronted the powers of the earth, yet refused to use violence to overcome them. The powers did the worst they could - the killed him - but God raised him from the dead, victorious over the death, hell, and all powers of the world.

So, if Jesus is the fullest picture that we have of what God is like - why do we use Anselm's model of satisfaction as our leading theory for why Jesus died? Most satisfaction theories state the proposition this way - "God was angry at sin -he was dishonored by sin and disobedience - so someone had to die to appease the anger of God. God arranged for his Son to die on the cross so that his honor would be restored and our sins could be forgiven. But it required bloodshed to do this - God needed the death of Jesus in order that humankind could go free."

For Weaver and Hardin, this sets up a theological problem. Jesus, who is the image of God, promoted peace and non-violence. But we promote (through our atonement images) an angry God who required that someone be killed in order for salvation to be valid. Weaver and Hardin both fear that this sacrifical atonement thinking makes God into a pagan image - and not the image of the loving, redeeming God.

I'll stop there for now. I would love to hear comments....As I said, I have a lot of thinking to do on this one.

Taylor and Zambia

I wanted to share some more pictures from our recent Zambia trip. So below you will find some pics that are significant to me. You will quickly see the common theme - they all have Taylor, my son, in them.

One of the most meaningful events of this trip was that my son was able to go with me. He did a great job. I am very proud of him! By the way, he is the one with the long frizzy hair - I told him to get it cut.......

Taylor, Nick and Memory

Taylor and the Sunday School Class

Taylor Trying Shema in Zambia - Yum, Yum

Zambia

Another trip to Zambia.... this year was even better than last year's trip. I think it was because I knew the ropes a little better. But even more certainly, it was because I knew the people in Zambia better. It was great seeing some of the Bible College students from last year, and seeing pastors from last year's visit. Here are some pictures of my heroes from Zambia - young men and women who are answering the call to serve the church, with very little financial compensation, but with heart and passion.

Pastoral students at Pilgrim Wesleyan Bible College - Zambia

Pastor Geoffrey and Wife - Zambia

Pastor Benjamin -Zambia

WillowCreek Leadership Summit

I attended the Willow Leadership Summit a few weeks ago. I need to be honest. I have always kind of avoided the Willow Leadership Conference. I am not certain why. I think it is because I have the nagging suspicion that most Christian leadership books and conferences nowadays understand leadership principles as being neutral, something that we can learn from business, corporate CEO's, and heads of state - because leadership is leadership. I think we need to think critically through that issue. Is there a really not ANYTHING different about being a Christan leader?

However, by the way, I really enjoyed myself at the Willow Conference. While I did see some things that I would like to think through more thoroughly - I did sense the Lord doing some really cool stuff there. The speakers, by and large, were thoughtful and inspiring. I learned a great deal.

I want to end with this comment. I noticed that many of the speakers, and much of the emphasis this year (I don't know about years past - because I wasn't there) was on huge issues such as poverty, AIDS, missions, and even (dare I say it) - peacemaking. Wow! Way to go Willow. Times are a changin'.

Here is my final puzzler. I noticed that when Jimmy Carter was introduced to talk about his work for peace, justice, and poverty - that Bill Hybels had to spend about 10 minutes explaining to the crowd why he was there!!! Why was that? Was it because he is a Democrat? Was it because he was an unpopular president? Was it because he has taken an unpopular position regarding the Israeli/Palestinian crisis? Why did Bill have to explain so feverishly why Carter (who is working tirelessly for peace and is a major spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity) was invited to join our little conference.

I noticed that Bill Hybels explained very little of why a Harvard (agnostic) professor was addressing us - or a filmmaker (seeker). But he had to explain profusely to our evangelical crowd why Jimmy Carter deserved to be listened to....why is that. Please tell me ... why is that?

Must Have Been on Vacation

After about a two month hiatus from blogging, I am now considering getting started again. Over the last two months I have visited Istanbul, Turkey; attended the Wesleyan Doctinal Symposium, and taken a 8 day vacation trip to Florida. It seems like a lot to post about, but so little time I am afraid.

By now, I am sure that most people tuned in regularly to my blog have grown tired of waiting for a new post as well. The question is: is anybody still out there? And what shall we post about next? Any suggestions?