There is a marvelous essay, Tough Test of Faith, in the current edition of The Progressive Populist by a South Carolina minister, Rev. Allen Brill.
At the conclusion of the article Brill comments
Some Americans may believe that we stand in the place of the Israelites as God's favored people. There are even those who believe that some among us &emdash; political or religious leaders &emdash; may indeed be "men of God." The true biblical call and test, according not only to this old Elisha story but also Jesus' command to love our enemies, is not whether we are powerful enough to make those who oppose us suffer, but whether we are trusting enough in God to show God's mercy even to those who would harm us. Elisha recognized and passed the test. Will we?
One of the great hallmarks of the human condition is inflicting pain, injury or distress on others (and even ourselves). Often, because we are wrapped up in our own little worlds, such inflictions are innocent and unintentional. Just as frequently, however, due to a variety of perceived and self-defined rationalizations, the distress we cause others is not only intentional but vicious.
As I've often pondered, which is worse – – Transgressing against others or transgressing against others who have transgressed against you?
In my book, the latter is by far the MORE guilty party.
When we have suffered some sort of injury –– whether it be physical, emotional, cultural, economic or spiritual –– we KNOW the depth of the pain. It often shakes us to our very core.
If we then try to turn the tables, we lower ourselves to the level of the initial transgressor AND we intuitively understand the level of pain that will be inflicted. We thus become the aggressor times two!
In such a situation, it becomes impossible for us to claim any manner of moral or ethical superiority. In essence, we have allowed our adversary to win because we have assumed the adversary's cloak.
Despite this fact, many Christians are wholesale supporters of military retribution. Though Jesus, the Jewish carpenter, implored them to learn to treat their enemies as they would treat themselves, far too many of his followers seem tied to the Old Testament dictum of "an eye for an eye".
The Tao Te Ching recommends that as little force be used as necessary and that mercy be shown to one's adversaries. It would seem that Taoists are more in line with Jesus' thinking than his own church brethren.
As I've often pondered, which is worse – – Transgressing against others or transgressing against others who have transgressed against you?
In my book, the latter is by far the MORE guilty party.
When we have suffered some sort of injury –– whether it be physical, emotional, cultural, economic or spiritual –– we KNOW the depth of the pain. It often shakes us to our very core.
If we then try to turn the tables, we lower ourselves to the level of the initial transgressor AND we intuitively understand the level of pain that will be inflicted. We thus become the aggressor times two!
In such a situation, it becomes impossible for us to claim any manner of moral or ethical superiority. In essence, we have allowed our adversary to win because we have assumed the adversary's cloak.
Despite this fact, many Christians are wholesale supporters of military retribution. Though Jesus, the Jewish carpenter, implored them to learn to treat their enemies as they would treat themselves, far too many of his followers seem tied to the Old Testament dictum of "an eye for an eye".
The Tao Te Ching recommends that as little force be used as necessary and that mercy be shown to one's adversaries. It would seem that Taoists are more in line with Jesus' thinking than his own church brethren.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are unmoderated, so you can write whatever you want.