bumper sticker

As I was driving today, I got behind this plumber's van (Joe the plumber?) and read his bumper sticker, which said "To Hell with our enemies. God Bless America!"

I could go into politics and the wars we're fighting and rail about this mindset that is mostly contained in (but does not fairly represent) the Republican party. However, I'd rather just address this mindset within Christendom.

I would consider this bumper sticker to be one end of an extreme. The book I'm currently reading offers the opposite extreme, stating that violence is never redemptive, and in fact only provokes a cycle of violence. It takes quite literally Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.

I am repulsed by the bumper sticker and all those that offer up this hate in the name of my Savior. But the other extreme leaves me intrigued, afraid, inspired. What do you think?

Ghandi and Jesus

I'm a chapter in on a new book Ghandi and Jesus: The Saving Power of Nonviolence, and I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I must admit that I'm wary of a book title that pairs Jesus with a modern Hindu; however, I'm coming to realize that Ghandi knew the New Testament better than most Christians I know. And while Ghandi never totally committed to Christianity, Jesus was a huge influence on him--to the point where Ghandi actually "re-interpreted" some Hindu teachings.

Anyways, what I'm admittedly hoping to validate by reading this book is an idea that I've been struggling with for a long time--uncompromising pascifism. Or to put it another way--the idea that "redemptive violence" is in no way scriptural. Rather, it puts faith in our own worldly ways--rather than putting faith in Christ's ways and indeed, his own example.

More to come...