Extremists for Love
Well, I just finished a book that was quite challenging. It's a book that is written for those of us who are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, who stand forgiven and are called to walk in the light but instead have comfortably fallen asleep in the coziness of a salvation that we will cash in when we die. It's written for people who are frustrated and bored with the Christianity that they've been a part of for their entire lives. Shane Claiborne reminded me that this Christian life we live is the most challenging and exciting and rewarding thing that we could possibly be a part of on earth. He challenges us to be extremists for love, like Jesus. He challenges us to exercise our faith with actions that are based in love, mercy, and grace. He challenges us to seek first the Kingdom of God, not any other kingdom.
I will save you the time reading the book and tell you instead to read the bible (especially if you haven't already) and obey what it says. If you have read the bible and really want to read some other inspiring stories about people who are doing just that then by all means read 'The Irresistible Revolution'. Don't read it if you want a lesson in theology... cause it is not that. It is not Shane Claiborne's theology, if it was it would be vastly incomplete, however it is a reminder and a challenge.
So after a vibrant discussion with Rebecca, and James at Christmas time I will say that I may have liked this book because I'm a peace-loving, Anabaptist. I think though that Shane makes a very strong case for loving our enemies and Jesus teachings about things like turning the other cheek and being persecuted because of righteousness.
This is an observation that I doubt is new but I will lend it anyways. In a world where nobody in world politics (or even world history) has ever led their country in loving their enemies and turning the other cheek, I think that it is time that we follow after our Kingdom's leader and follow his example in this very thing. I think that it is because of this very reason that the Kingdom of God has exploded since Jesus made a mockery of violent, inhumane treatment of people by dying on the cross out of love for all the sinners of the world, including the very people who killed him. His immediate followers were willing to do the same because they saw the power and transformation that occured when a righteous man died at the hands of unrighteous men. The apostle James is a beautiful testimony to this. "James, (along with his brother, John) was one of Jesus' cousins, a bit of a zealot. As they were walking through Samaria one day, some Samaritans were giving them a hard time, so James offered to help Jesus take care of them by calling down "fire from heaven" on the Samaritans. I'm not sure exactly what that meant back then, but Jesus was not happy and rebuked him. The story of Jesus' life continued, and James watched Jesus love of people and then die. So eventually James faced his own execution for having followed the one who loved his enemies to death. He was imprisoned and was set to be executed. Before his execution, he spoke to his executioner about God's love and grace. The executioner was so deeply moved that he asked for forgiveness and surrendered his life to Christ. James forgave him and they embraced. Then he and the executioner were killed together" (that's the way Shane tells the story). He also tells the story about Dirk Willems, a famous Anabaptist martyr of the 1500's who escaped prison before his execution but was pursued on foot across the frozen fields of Holland. One of the guards hot on his heels fell through the ice and Dirk stopped turned around, dove in and rescued the man. He was burned at the stake regardless of the pleas of the guard.
These stories go on and on, each one as powerful as the last. Some from the early church, some from the Christian church in Iraq. They are beautiful testaments to the fact that violence begetts more violence and that LOVE is the greatest power in the world today. That is how I want to live.
S-Doggy
I will save you the time reading the book and tell you instead to read the bible (especially if you haven't already) and obey what it says. If you have read the bible and really want to read some other inspiring stories about people who are doing just that then by all means read 'The Irresistible Revolution'. Don't read it if you want a lesson in theology... cause it is not that. It is not Shane Claiborne's theology, if it was it would be vastly incomplete, however it is a reminder and a challenge.
So after a vibrant discussion with Rebecca, and James at Christmas time I will say that I may have liked this book because I'm a peace-loving, Anabaptist. I think though that Shane makes a very strong case for loving our enemies and Jesus teachings about things like turning the other cheek and being persecuted because of righteousness.
This is an observation that I doubt is new but I will lend it anyways. In a world where nobody in world politics (or even world history) has ever led their country in loving their enemies and turning the other cheek, I think that it is time that we follow after our Kingdom's leader and follow his example in this very thing. I think that it is because of this very reason that the Kingdom of God has exploded since Jesus made a mockery of violent, inhumane treatment of people by dying on the cross out of love for all the sinners of the world, including the very people who killed him. His immediate followers were willing to do the same because they saw the power and transformation that occured when a righteous man died at the hands of unrighteous men. The apostle James is a beautiful testimony to this. "James, (along with his brother, John) was one of Jesus' cousins, a bit of a zealot. As they were walking through Samaria one day, some Samaritans were giving them a hard time, so James offered to help Jesus take care of them by calling down "fire from heaven" on the Samaritans. I'm not sure exactly what that meant back then, but Jesus was not happy and rebuked him. The story of Jesus' life continued, and James watched Jesus love of people and then die. So eventually James faced his own execution for having followed the one who loved his enemies to death. He was imprisoned and was set to be executed. Before his execution, he spoke to his executioner about God's love and grace. The executioner was so deeply moved that he asked for forgiveness and surrendered his life to Christ. James forgave him and they embraced. Then he and the executioner were killed together" (that's the way Shane tells the story). He also tells the story about Dirk Willems, a famous Anabaptist martyr of the 1500's who escaped prison before his execution but was pursued on foot across the frozen fields of Holland. One of the guards hot on his heels fell through the ice and Dirk stopped turned around, dove in and rescued the man. He was burned at the stake regardless of the pleas of the guard.
These stories go on and on, each one as powerful as the last. Some from the early church, some from the Christian church in Iraq. They are beautiful testaments to the fact that violence begetts more violence and that LOVE is the greatest power in the world today. That is how I want to live.
S-Doggy
posted by Stewart at
10:24 AM
5 Comments:
I enjoyed it.
Solid book by shane. Solid anabaptist writing by you.
Amen Stewart. My aspirations are the same. My only question is-- realistically, HOW do you you show love to a suicide bomber? Or a Hitler? ( I want to say more, but I have to head to church... it starts in 5 minutes!) I think conversation with you is both challenging and fun! Hope you are well!
Oh, and by the way-- I am being persuaded. If the world could love rightly, and everyone realized they have a personal resposibility to love their neighbour, and God, we wouldn't be having this discussion. The tricky thing is- how to serve justice properly in a fallen world. It would be great if God could do it directly, and spare us the trouble-- but He doesn't. And so our governments do their best. Which I agree, can get ugly. But Stewart- the answer is LOVE, in an extreme way. To that, I can wholeheartedly agree.
Rebecca,
I think that the answer to your first question is pre-emptively loving the potential suicide bombers and Hitlers so that there are no more of them. I think that when people who are tempted to resort to such extreme measures, often by brainwashing and misinformation, see and experience the beauty of love in our lives as Christians they will be far less likely to want to blow us up because basically they'll have seen the truth.
I think that the question of serving justice in a fallen world might have to wait for a different blog. (maybe I'm just too chicken to go there :) )
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