Text 4131, 142 rader
Skriven 2004-10-26 05:34:32 av Stephen Hayes (5:7106/20.0)
Ärende: Chris_Soc: A new confession
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* Forwarded (from: CHRIS_SOC) by Stephen Hayes using timEd/2 1.10.y2k.
* Originally from family.chris_soc@family-bbs.net (8:8/2) to All.
* Original dated: Mon Oct 25, 05:01

From: family.chris_soc@family-bbs.net (Chris_Soc)
From: "Steve Hayes" <khanyab@lantic.net>

A new confession of Christ

by Jim Wallis

Because of a deep and growing concern about an emerging "theology of war" in
the White House, the increasingly frequent language of "righteous empire," and
official claims of "divine appointment" for a nation and president in the "war"
on terrorism, I have joined with several theologians and ethicists in writing
the following statement. A climate in which violence is too easily accepted,
and the roles of God, church, and nation too easily confused calls for a new
"confession" of Christ. The statement names five key points of Jesus'
teachings, while rejecting false teachings that nullify his message. It has
been signed by more than 200 theologians and ethicists - many of them from
theologically conservative seminaries and Christian colleges. We share it with
you and ask that you send it to friends and present it to your churches if you
resonate with its concerns and convictions.

Confessing Christ in a World of Violence

Our world is wracked with violence and war. But Jesus said: "Blessed are the
peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9).
Innocent people, at home and abroad, are increasingly threatened by terrorist
attacks. But Jesus said: "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you"
(Matt. 5:44). These words, which have never been easy, seem all the more
difficult today.

Nevertheless, a time comes when silence is betrayal. How many churches have
heard sermons on these texts since the terrorist atrocities of September 11?
Where is the serious debate about what it means to confess Christ in a world of
violence? Does Christian "realism" mean resigning ourselves to an endless
future of "pre-emptive wars"? Does it mean turning a blind eye to torture and
massive civilian casualties? Does it mean acting out of fear and resentment
rather than intelligence and restraint?

Faithfully confessing Christ is the church's task, and never more so than when
its confession is co-opted by militarism and nationalism.

- A "theology of war," emanating from the highest circles of American
government, is seeping into our churches as well.

- The language of "righteous empire" is employed with growing frequency.

- The roles of God, church, and nation are confused by talk of an American
"mission" and "divine appointment" to "rid the world of evil."

The security issues before our nation allow no easy solutions. No one has a
monopoly on the truth. But a policy that rejects the wisdom of international
consultation should not be baptized by religiosity. The danger today is
political idolatry exacerbated by the politics of fear.

In this time of crisis, we need a new confession of Christ.

1. Jesus Christ, as attested in Holy Scripture, knows no national boundaries.
Those who confess his name are found throughout the earth. Our allegiance to
Christ takes priority over national identity. Whenever Christianity compromises
with empire, the gospel of Christ is discredited.

We reject the false teaching that any nation-state can ever be described with
the words, "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome
it." These words, used in scripture, apply only to Christ. No political or
religious leader has the right to twist them in the service of war.

2. Christ commits Christians to a strong presumption against war. The wanton
destructiveness of modern warfare strengthens this obligation. Standing in the
shadow of the Cross, Christians have a responsibility to count the cost, speak
out for the victims, and explore every alternative before a nation goes to war.
We are committed to international cooperation rather than unilateral policies.

We reject the false teaching that a war on terrorism takes precedence over
ethical and legal norms. Some things ought never be done - torture, the
deliberate bombing of civilians, the use of indiscriminate weapons of mass
destruction - regardless of the consequences.

3. Christ commands us to see not only the splinter in our adversary's eye, but
also the beam in our own. The distinction between good and evil does not run
between one nation and another, or one group and another. It runs straight
through every human heart.

We reject the false teaching that America is a "Christian nation," representing
only virtue, while its adversaries are nothing but vicious. We reject the
belief that America has nothing to repent of, even as we reject that it
represents most of the world's evil. All have sinned and fallen short of the
glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

4. Christ shows us that enemy-love is the heart of the gospel. While we were
yet enemies, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8, 10). We are to show love to our
enemies even as we believe God in Christ has shown love to us and the whole
world. Enemy-love does not mean capitulating to hostile agendas or domination.
It does mean refusing to demonize any human being created in God's image.

We reject the false teaching that any human being can be defined as outside the
law's protection. We reject the demonization of perceived enemies, which only
paves the way to abuse; and we reject the mistreatment of prisoners, regardless
of supposed benefits to their captors.

5. Christ teaches us that humility is the virtue befitting forgiven sinners. It
tempers all political disagreements, and it allows that our own political
perceptions, in a complex world, may be wrong.

We reject the false teaching that those who are not for the United States
politically are against it or that those who fundamentally question American
policies must be with the "evil-doers." Such crude distinctions, especially
when used by Christians, are expressions of the Manichaean heresy, in which the
world is divided into forces of absolute good and absolute evil.

The Lord Jesus Christ is either authoritative for Christians, or he is not. His
Lordship cannot be set aside by any earthly power. His words may not be
distorted for propagandistic purposes. No nation-state may usurp the place of
God.

We believe that acknowledging these truths is indispensable for followers of
Christ. We urge them to remember these principles in making their decisions as
citizens. Peacemaking is central to our vocation in a troubled world where
Christ is Lord.

Take action: Share this important theological statement with your friends,
family, pastor, and church!

Use the button below to send this critical message - signed by more than 200
theologians and ethicists from across the theological spectrum - to as many
people as possible. Spread the word that as Christians, our allegiance to
Christ takes priority over any national or political identity:


<http://go.sojo.net/sojourners/join-
forward.html?domain=sojourners&r=P7A0qo4
1ajGS>
http://go.sojo.net/sojourners/join-
forward.html?domain=sojourners&r=P7A0qo41ajGS

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