Encouraging American Christians To Reconsider Their Convictions

History professor, John D. Roth, recently delivered a stirring lecture in honor of C. Henry Smith (well-known for his many books on Mennonite history and his particular attention to the peace commitments of the Mennonite tradition).  Although the lecture was written to the Anabaptist/Mennonite community, I believe it offers a powerful word to all followers of Christ.  Consider Dr. Roth's concluding remarks:

Behind our white-knuckled focus one the "hot button" issues, behind the passions of the Red/Blue divide, is the reality of fear … we live in a culture dominated by fear:

- in the past three years, we have spent nearly $400 billion on anti-terror measures; we have defeated and occupied two countries; we have created a Dept. of Homeland Security; curtailed immigration; transformed airport security systems

… and yet even in the most wealthy and powerful nation on earth, we still live in fear

- every night, the evening news floods us with images of more suicide bombs and the inevitable retaliations, more refugees, more massacres, more self-justifications: we live in a world where hated breeds more hatred, violence begets more violence– with every side certain that it is fighting a Just War; that its cause is on the side of Truth and Justice

- closer to home, liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans have defined the future as US or THEM; our goodness vs. their evil; our Truth vs. their Deception;

In the midst of all this, Christians—redeemed by the power of God’s love—are invited to bear witness to a different sort of reality

In the midst of the pain and division and violence around us, Christians should be holding out to the world a candle of hope

- to be sure, the flicker of that candle might seem tiny and insignificant; it may not illuminate all the corners where darkness holds sway;

… the good news of the gospel offers no promise of political success; there are no guarantees that the Love of Chirist will convince tyrants to put down their weapons … or bring an end to suffering or injustice

… but by holding up the light, Christians bear witness to the world that the darkness of hatred and division will not prevail

… that love is stronger than fear

… that allegiance to the body of Christ comes before all other allegiances

… and that history is ultimately shaped not by human might nor by power but by the spirit of the living God

And so this evening, I invite all of you who are followers of Jesus to be shining examples of the transformative power of God’s love … and may the healing of the world begin with the hard, joyful, work of reconciliation in our own congregations and our own church.

via Dwight Friesen.

Comments

[Dr. Mike Kear]

Beautifully written. Thanks for passing it along.

Peace,

Mike

[tammy]

i spent a year, a long time ago, at JD Roth's college. JD was probably a baby then. :D