The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Injustice is everywhere. And, as Dr. King said in 1963, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Like it or not, we are interconnected. One strand of the tapestry cannot be pulled without eventually unraveling the whole.

Jesus declared war on injustice at the very start of his ministry:

^“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
        to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
    and recovery of sight to the blind,
        to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

(Luke 4:18,19)

The question is not should we work to alleviate injustice – we must work for justice for everyone, most especially the weak, poor, disenfranchised, displaced, persecuted, and marginalized – those Jesus called the least of his siblings. The question is how should we go about it?

Nearly unanimously, humankind has answered with what appears to be common sense. The answer is obvious. Why would there be any debate? To alleviate injustice we must use coercion, and if that doesn’t work, violence. The Old Testament seems to support this path. Moses used supernatural, coercive, violence to free his fellow Jews from slavery. King David used stones, spears, and swords to rescue the oppressed, crush his enemies, and expand his empire. Didn’t God use massive genocide to cleanse the earth with a flood? Didn’t God order the genocide of all the inhabitants of the Promised Land?

Global war is the response to Hitler. Terrorists bring down the Twin Towers, killing thousands. The proper response, the noble response, is a 20-year war to the ends of the earth killing tens of thousands. Hamas brutally rapes and murders innocent Israelis. The proper noble response is bombs and tanks and the destruction of an entire country. The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. The right of self-defense. It all seems so obvious. It’s been the way of the world from the beginning of civilization. It’s been the way of the organized Christian Church since Constantine. It seems clearly taught in the Old Testament.

But then came Jesus:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer.” (Matthew 5:38-39a, emphasis added)

“But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44, emphasis added)

“Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, do what you are here to do.’ Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him. Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”(Matthew 26:50-53 emphasis added)

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27 emphasis added)

“Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’” (John 18:26)

And Paul:

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” (Romans 12:14)

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mind, I will repay,” says the Lord. But it your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:17-21, emphasis added)

And Peter:

“Finally, all of you, be like–minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9, emphasis added)

There are no exceptions in the New Testament. Coercion and violence are never permitted. The Kingdom of God is upside down. It is not of this world. It never uses violence as revenge, for protection, or to impose justice. Never. 

Believers in Jesus are new creations, members of a new humanity, subjects of a heavenly king, aligned in a divine kingdom. Coercion and violence are the way of the world. Coercion and violence are never the way of Christ. Jesus never rides the Red horse. Never.