The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– Now that we have thoroughly explored a theology of nonviolence, based on the New Testament witness, we need to address the common hurdles to holding this as truth. For most of my life, nonviolence seemed so irrational that I thought: This couldn’t be what Jesus actually meant? This... Read more
The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– Now that we have looked at the two key texts in the New Testament that address the issue of nonviolence, there are other relevant texts and theological themes that should briefly be mentioned. Each of the following could take up several pages of investigation and reflection, but for... Read more
The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– Perhaps the most appealed to text in the New Testament to call into question any nonviolent readings of Jesus is Romans 13. When many Christians in the United States read–“…for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason”–it is common to make this a starting point for... Read more
If you are unfamiliar with Pentecostal theology, let’s just say we put a lot of emphasis on the moving of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes I wonder if we put too much emphasis on the moving of the Holy Spirit. A church meeting in my faith tradition can sometimes get a bit out of hand, with emotionalism running quite high. You could probably say that I’m a skeptic, however I certainly believe that to be an unfair label for someone such... Read more
There’s this story in Luke’s Gospel. Jesus is in the Temple with the disciples, and he’s watching people drop money into the treasury coffers. After some rich guys drop in sacks that make a nice jingle when they hit the pile beneath, an old woman drops in two small coins that barely make a sound. Jesus turns to the disciples and says, “This poor widow put in more than all of them; for they gave out of their excess, but... Read more
The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– The Shirt off Your Back, and then Some! This second scenario envisions a situation where a creditor takes a poor person to court to sue them for their shirt. This could be kept as collateral for an unpaid debt, but the coat (cloak) was not to be taken... Read more
The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– The Nonviolent Imagination If a command to not use violent force is indeed how Jesus opens up this section of the sermon, then it provides the proper framework into which we can read the illustrations of the following verses. In what comes after Jesus’ words about resisting with... Read more
The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– Key Texts Throughout the New Testament there is a common thread of nonviolence. My goal in this section is to look at several of the key texts that present such a view. Forgive me if I do not cover every passage that deals with this subject, but hopefully... Read more
The following is part of a fairly long series on the theology and practice of nonviolence. If you would like to read all of the posts, you can do so here. ————————————– Throughout my life, I have been part of a unique culture. This is a group of people who can point to several common experiences and values. Not only so, but there is a common story that unites us all. This is a story of revival in the best... Read more
Here is the founder of my faith tradition, radical reformer Menno Simons. I would love to hear your thoughts on this quote which gives a great summary of the Anabatist way: “We do not teach and practice community of goods but we teach and testify the Word of the Lord, that all true believers in Christ are of one body (I Cor. 12:13), partakers of one bread (I Cor. 10:17), have one God and one Lord (Eph. 4). Seeing then... Read more
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