We are all aware of the atrocities committed by the Islamist terrorist known as the Islamic State (aka ISIS, ISIL). Two American journalists have been beheaded. Thousands of Iraqi Christians have been displaced; many have been crucified, beheaded, and tortured. In my judgment, it is only a matter of time before ISIS targets American interest throughout the world. War seems inevitable. Fear and hate abound.
Jesus declared: “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs (Mark 13:7-8; also Luke 21:9).
Recently, Phil Robertson has responded to this crisis with the words “convert them or kill them.” As I pondered his remarks it occurred to me that “convert or kill” is the strategy of the Islamic State. If “convert or kill” is also the “Christian” response to evil; then is there any difference between an extremist Islamic social ethic and a Christian social ethic? Is religious violence inevitable?
I am not a pacifist. I hold to Augustine’s just war theory. Although war is never to be preferred, sometimes it becomes necessary in order to defend the weak from the terrors of humanity. But we should never forget that even a justified war demonstrates the terrors of humanity. Even as I write these words I am confronted by the words of Jesus:
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven… Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:38-48).
Jesus spoke these words to a Jewish audience living under brutal Roman oppression in which their daughters were being raped and their sons murdered. Many of his hearers much preferred the words of Moses – “an eye for an eye.” They longed for a holy war in which everything Roman would be “utterly destroyed …both man and woman, young and old… with the edge of the sword” (Joshua 6:21). Likewise, many Christians look to the Old Testament examples of holy war and genocide to inform their response to Islamic terrorists – “Let’s kill them all!”
We should remember that Jesus is the enfleshed Torah. He has fulfilled the Law and in many cases reinterpreted the Law. We must not ignore, or reject, his words. The Christian response to Islamic terror must be informed by the ethic of Jesus. We should not respond in fear or hate. In the midst of oppression and persecution Christians are called to be ambassadors of Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we are to represent the reconciling mission of God, not American foreign policy (1 Corinthians 5:17-20). Fear and hate are deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:20); but the fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22).
War may be inevitable. Even so, Christians must choose words carefully so as not to incite fear and hate (James 3:6). In times of persecution Jesus promised “I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute” (Luke 21:15; Matthew 10:19-20). Instead of beating the drums of war, Christians must pray for wisdom and listen intently for the voice of the Spirit. And, we must be willing to give our lives for the mission of Christ (Matthew 10:28, 38-39).
This morning I read again the first chapters of Exodus. The people of God were oppressed by Egyptian taskmasters. The people of God groaned in their agony. God heard their cries and delivered them. When Egypt rose up for war Moses declared, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent” (Exodus 14:13-14). My prayer is that deliverance will come. Come quickly Lord Jesus!
