Are we "passivists?"

Continuing through the Beatitudes, we've come to "blessed are the peacemakers." This is another one that we would be tempted to say Jesus wants us to be peacemakers. I think it's actually true that Jesus does want us to be peacemakers. We'll get to the "blessed" (good news) part later, but first, let's talk about peacemakers.

We're all familiar with the debate over war and peace. I would guess that most people would come down on the "just war" side--that there are just times when war is a necessary evil. The question I've wrestled with over the last couple of years though is if it's ever OK for Christians to resort to violence to solve anything. More and more, as I look at the teachings of Jesus, I'm thinking more and more the answer is "no." This particular beatitude is one reason why.

The most popular (and most convincing) argument against "pacifism" is that we are called to defend the defenseless. Pacifists are seen as "passivists." This is why, more and more people are abandoning the label pacifism and turning to something like "peace theology." True peace theology, in the spirit of Jesus is not passive, it's very active. Peace-makers are not passive when it comes to justice for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the oppressed, etc. In fact, I would go out on a limb and say that peace-makers are much more concerned with issues of justice than most people who condone war in its various forms.

While many peace theologians will respect a government's authority to "wield the sword," they would say it's never appropriate for a follower of Christ to do so. Governments can be very effective at achieving their goals through the use of force. The goal of government is self-preservation and the well-being of its people.

I guess you could also say that the goal of the Kingdom of God is also self-preservation, but the difference is that I believe when the church turns to the sword to advance (like in the Crusades and Inquisition, et al.) it actually ceases to be the Kingdom of God and becomes something else-it becomes another king of Kingdom.

But you might ask, "How can the Kingdom of God (or Kingdom people) possibly achieve any kind of justice without resorting to using force or coercion?" Great question, I'm glad you asked. Very well, actually. The concept is very simple, but it's not easy, nor is it quick.

I like the way Greg Boyd frames the conversation. He says the power of the state is "power over." It's coercion. It's the sword (or gun). It's passing legislation. Now there may be a place for these things. In Romans 13:4ff, Paul tells us to submit to our "secular" government because "he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. he is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer..." General George Patton once said, "The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." That's "power over," and its the power of government.

But the power of the Kingdom is "power under." It's Jesus emptying Himself of all the perks and powers of being God and living among the poorest of the poor. It's wrapping a towel around Himself and washing His disciples feet. It's Jesus bringing "justice" by going to the cross and dying for us.

Power over squashes people. Power under lifts people up. Power over forces others to bow down. Power under kneels before others in order to lift their head. In Matthew 20, Jesus describes the difference between the two approaches when He's teaching His disciples:

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great mong you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

So while the "power over" stance of government may fight injustice a certain way, by laws, coercion, etc. The Kingdom fights injustice, but does it in a much different way--incarnation. Power over creates an "us vs. them" mentality. WE are the good guys, THEY are the bad guys. Power under always seeks reconcilliation. So rather than simply punishing the bad guys, Kingdom people become willing to stand with the victims; to identify with them in their struggles and oppression.

When the church has tried to do it any other way, they may have saved some from oppression, but became oppressors themselves. I would argue that this is reason enough for Christians never to resort to coercion, manipulation or violence. Coercion, manipulation and violence do not breed peace. Only peace breeds peace.

But here's the catch; peace, as a means takes time. Coercion and violence can bring about quick results, but will be unsustainable. Grace and peace will always take more time, but will be much longer lasting. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, "Love never fails." It may SEEM like it's failing, but the reality is that peace works from the inside out. If we have peace on the inside, it will follow on the outside as well.

This is why Jesus says in the Beatitudes, "I have good news for the peace-makers." They need good news because it's just those who see peace as a means, not just an end that may become discouraged because the results are slow in coming. In fact peace-makers will suffer more and even die in their efforts to bring peace and justice, but their suffering and death will never be in vain.

Jesus' words are meant to encourage those who may be tempted to think they're going about things the wrong way. While the violent and the politicians are thriving, the peace-makers are doing things the Kingdom way and seem to be achieving nothing. Ultimately, they are the children of God. The children of God have observed and learned to do things the way their Father does them. Whether they "achieve" what they set out to achieve or not, their reward is to hear their heavenly Father congratulate them for a job well-done.