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2007-03-06 issue:

Of what spirit are you?

Grace and Truth

by Kenneth Thompson

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An outcry arose over the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of a young man (see Jan. 16). On the eve of his wedding day, police officers, whose sworn duty is to protect life, took his. The incident was one more example of an African-American man suffering from the excessive use of deadly force. Tens of thousands of people angrily called out for justice. Shouldn’t we add our voices to theirs? Shouldn’t we eagerly move to act for the peace we so earnestly pray for? Shouldn’t we speak prophetically to the powers that be, urging them to heed the truths we Christians espouse? I wrestled with those questions as pastor of a church, as a board member of African American Mennonite Association and intercultural relations committee and as a black man.

Peace as a basic tenet of Anabaptist history and Mennonite faith expression positions us to serve the purposes of God in our time and in our world. Our active sense of the presence of God, and the kingdom as taught by Jesus Christ, gives us a vibrant spirituality, a distinct identity. It is a mistake to think our nonviolent idealism translates into a noninvolvement that detaches us from the reality of human experience. Our sense of beloved community, understanding what directly affects one indirectly affects all, won’t allow that mistake.

How then should we respond to injustice? Luke 9:52-55 tells of an injustice suffered and how the disciples initially reacted. Jesus corrected their attitude and called them to have moral integrity in what they do. He corrected their theology, which mistook judgment for justice, condemnation for conviction, retribution for restitution and might for right. The spirit of Christ elevates our “Pray for Peace, Act for Peace” slogan to the higher “Pray for Peace, Act in Peace.” Remember what spirit we are of. Our interest is allegiance to Immanuel, not alignment with issues, of being directed by Christ of the cross, not driven by crisis in causes.

Rather than add our voices to the angry outcry of the dissatisfied and distressed we use our voice to express the love of God in Jesus Christ. More of us should strive to speak pastorally and passionately of God’s peace and intentional community.

Jesus in Luke 9:55-56 reveals the correct motivation for action, and Luke 10:33-35 reveals the constructive methods for action. Don’t limit the reign of God in the earth to simply aiding the bruised and wounded. Those acts, however meaningful, are momentary. Work as peacemakers in the spirit of Christ to transform society, transforming those structures that leave people wounded and bruised. That’s significant and eternal.

Raise your sights to rescue the wounded and repair Jericho’s road, making it safe. Bring together affected citizens, local authorities, municipal leaders and reconcile them. Supply the need of those on the road who have not, and develop relationships with the innkeepers along Jericho’s road who have, and reconcile the two. Bandage the bruised and develop relationships with the medical community so that medical care is accessible to all in need.

Protect the lives of those who travel Jericho’s road by protecting the future of the children; educate and empower at-risk youth so they don’t grow up and succumb to the temptation of getting quick money by risking the lives of others. Ronnie Pride, pastor of Fellowship of Christ Church in Rocky Mount, N.C., says: “The gospel is more than making people feel better—it means making better people.”

If we hope to realize the liberating themes of the gospel shaped by the reign of God in our world we must respond to conflict with inspired emotion and intelligent compassion.

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