more of my own thoughts on pacifism and a couple of art's quotes.
"I will never give up hope for anyne. There is something of God in every person that we can appeal to" ( Hebron Journal page 115). We are all made in God's image--even the murderers, kidnappers, and raposts. Don't you think that the part of us that is like God can be moved?
Can we trust God so far as to let go of everything? Even our children? Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac--the very fulfillment of God's promise to him.
Many would suggest that pacifism is a stance of weakness or fear, but anyone who knows much of anything about pacifism knows that it is anything but weak or fearful. It requires an enormous amount of faith and trust in Almighty God that He will prevail and that His will will be done. There is great fear in giving up control and putting your all in God's hands and having Him do with it as He wills. What the world sees as weakness and fear is strength and trust in God. He will protect you, and even if he chooses not to, you have been obedient to His call. The cowardly and fearful approach is what the world sees as courageous--defending yourself with violence, trusting in your own abilities rather than in God's power. This is a more radical faith than most people are comfortable with--it completely defies what the world says we should do in certain situations. But I believe that as followers of Christ, we are called to this type of radical faith--a chasing after Him and a placement of total trust in Him and obedience to His will, whatever that may be. He is faithful. ALWAYS. The question is whether or not you will give Him the chance to prove His faithfulness to you.
Here's what Art has to say about violence: "Violence is an act of desperation. Violence is the inevitable result of oppression" (p121).
Can we trust God so far as to let go of everything? Even our children? Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac--the very fulfillment of God's promise to him.
Many would suggest that pacifism is a stance of weakness or fear, but anyone who knows much of anything about pacifism knows that it is anything but weak or fearful. It requires an enormous amount of faith and trust in Almighty God that He will prevail and that His will will be done. There is great fear in giving up control and putting your all in God's hands and having Him do with it as He wills. What the world sees as weakness and fear is strength and trust in God. He will protect you, and even if he chooses not to, you have been obedient to His call. The cowardly and fearful approach is what the world sees as courageous--defending yourself with violence, trusting in your own abilities rather than in God's power. This is a more radical faith than most people are comfortable with--it completely defies what the world says we should do in certain situations. But I believe that as followers of Christ, we are called to this type of radical faith--a chasing after Him and a placement of total trust in Him and obedience to His will, whatever that may be. He is faithful. ALWAYS. The question is whether or not you will give Him the chance to prove His faithfulness to you.
Here's what Art has to say about violence: "Violence is an act of desperation. Violence is the inevitable result of oppression" (p121).
posted by Ashley at 11:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home