shalom, salaam, peace part 2
My question of those sons of Abraham who are Christians comes out of a letter I recently saw sent to privileged undisclosed recipients. The letter was sent by a Christian organization at the behest of the organization’s leader inviting a special group to an almost clandestine dinner. Their featured speaker has a world of military, law enforcement, and security experience. The evening is to address, in their words, “… the threat of violent jihad.”
The letter goes on to state that the most basic values that we hold dear will be threatened if we do not act intentionally and swiftly. They are calling on U.S. citizens to come together to address the most “urgent topic” pressing on us today.
As a Christian I find this all a bit interesting on many levels. I could speak about the fact that this is a Christian organization that put out a letter that speaks of “radical Islam” and its affect on the “United States.” Keep in mind, this letter comes out of a Christian organization that has no official affiliation with the United States Government. Yet they set up the tension to be between Islam and the United States.
Is it possible that we should be addressing this issue from the posture of the Kingdom of Heaven and not the United States? Certainly, nations and governments have their responsibilities and policies. But are we not called first, foremost and exclusively to pledge our allegiance to a blood stained cross, and not the flag of any nation?
If we approach this discussion with a Kingdom perspective we are introduced to quotes like:
“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Coals were a symbol of purification not torture).
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing …Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
As a son of Abraham I am called to seek peace. As a son of Abraham I am called to bless the violent jihadists. As a son of Abraham I am called to love all people without preconditions. As a son of Abraham I am called to pray for those who hate me and wished I were dead. As a son of Abraham I am called to pursue peace.
Maybe we speak about this at a "national security" level because it is easier then to navigate around these ideas that run deep in the Kingdom of Heaven. Maybe we do all we can to objectify our “enemy” because then we can live with our security and their destruction a little easier. Maybe we speak of country rather than faith because then we can detach ourselves from the radical teachings of Jesus who preached the Kingdom not a country.
The letter goes on to state that the most basic values that we hold dear will be threatened if we do not act intentionally and swiftly. They are calling on U.S. citizens to come together to address the most “urgent topic” pressing on us today.
As a Christian I find this all a bit interesting on many levels. I could speak about the fact that this is a Christian organization that put out a letter that speaks of “radical Islam” and its affect on the “United States.” Keep in mind, this letter comes out of a Christian organization that has no official affiliation with the United States Government. Yet they set up the tension to be between Islam and the United States.
Is it possible that we should be addressing this issue from the posture of the Kingdom of Heaven and not the United States? Certainly, nations and governments have their responsibilities and policies. But are we not called first, foremost and exclusively to pledge our allegiance to a blood stained cross, and not the flag of any nation?
If we approach this discussion with a Kingdom perspective we are introduced to quotes like:
“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (Coals were a symbol of purification not torture).
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing …Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
As a son of Abraham I am called to seek peace. As a son of Abraham I am called to bless the violent jihadists. As a son of Abraham I am called to love all people without preconditions. As a son of Abraham I am called to pray for those who hate me and wished I were dead. As a son of Abraham I am called to pursue peace.
Maybe we speak about this at a "national security" level because it is easier then to navigate around these ideas that run deep in the Kingdom of Heaven. Maybe we do all we can to objectify our “enemy” because then we can live with our security and their destruction a little easier. Maybe we speak of country rather than faith because then we can detach ourselves from the radical teachings of Jesus who preached the Kingdom not a country.