One Pastor’s Reflections on ISIS and Peacemaking

The ruthless and barbaric acts of the Islamic jihadist organization known ISIS are incomprehensible to most of the people on this planet.  What has been done to further their cause is nothing short of repulsive. On this we might all agree.

What to do in response to ISIS might generate more differing opinions.  Some advocate a swift and comprehensive military response.  Some prefer a more limited and precise retaliation.

I’m a pastor.  I readily admit that the complexities of global security are beyond my grasp. I do not claim to be knowledgeable about foreign affairs and I’m not a military strategist. 

In addition, I don’t want to be argumentative or offensive to those who disagree with me.  However, as a pastor my responsibility is to bring a different perspective…what I strongly believe is a perspective based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, about war, peace and becoming peacemakers.

That said, I believe the current military strategy of pretty much every developed nation on this planet, including mine, is unwise.  I'll give you two reasons why…

1.   It won't work.

It has never worked.  It will never work.  Violence in response to violence doesn't work.  The cycle of retributive violence is, by its very nature, an endless cycle.

The night before the second Iraqi war began I had a conversation with a friend and posed this scenario.  Imagine a ten year old boy standing in the street of his village somewhere in Iraq.  Suddenly, before his eyes, his house is blown to pieces.  His parents, his grandparents, his siblings all killed; unintentionally, of course.  Nevertheless, they are dead.  This ten year old boy buries the body parts of his family members somewhere near the home where he grew up.

Ten years later who do you think will most likely win the allegiance of that little boy.. the nation who dropped the bomb or the terrorist group who promises to avenge the deaths of his family members?  

That conversation happened eleven years ago. One might argue that we are now engaged in combat with that ten year old boy.  And one might argue that years from now we will be doing the same thing again with his son.  Respectfully but passionately I would argue that there must be a smarter way for the nations of the world to use the nearly three billion dollars a day we currently spend on our weapons of warfare. 

There must be a better choice, but so far we (the empires of the world) have consistently chosen to perpetuate the cycle of retributive violence.  I think we can choose a better way.  Someone taught us to choose a better way, which brings me to my second reason. 

2.   It is not consistent with the teachings of Jesus.

I know that reason won’t mean much to politicians, but it should carry some weight with those who actually profess faith in Jesus Christ.

I believe that an honest reading of the New Testament brings the reader to the conclusion that Jesus chose to die for his enemies rather than kill them.  And he invited his followers to do the same.  He said things like…

     “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also.” 
      “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” 
     “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
     “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.”  
     "Take up your cross and follow me." 
     “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”

For the most part, the Christian community has chosen to promote some other way than the way of Jesus.  Stop and let that statement sink in.  Apparently some pastors believe that Jesus is the way we gain eternal life but they obviously do not believe that Jesus actually taught us how to live.  

Is it not illogical to separate the person of Jesus from his ideas?  

Is it not irrational to believe in Jesus but not actually believe Jesus? 

Is it not inconsistent to teach our congregations that “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life,” and yet reject the way of Jesus, that is the truth and leads to life?  

A personal appeal to pastors from a pastor

To people who, like me, are responsible for preaching the way of Jesus Christ, I would issue a personal appeal.

Entertain the possibility that the example and teachings of Jesus are superior to our own wisdom.  After all, how well has our own wisdom worked for us so far?

Then courageously teach the way of Jesus to those for whose spiritual development you are, at least partially responsible.  Your words are influential, especially to those who are part of the next generation of Christ followers.  Who knows?  If you bravely teach them the way of Jesus perhaps they will believe you.  Perhaps they will believe Jesus and become peacemakers.