Wars and Rumors of Wars
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
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Straight to the Cross
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Our assistant editor, Barbara Oliver, heads to
India next week with J.C. and Betty Choate. Please
pray for their safety and success.
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COLUMN: Field Notes
Wars and Rumors of Wars
by Michael E. Brooks
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See
that you are not troubled; for all these things
must come to pass, but the end is not yet"
(Matthew 24:6).
I have received two letters recently from friends
in Nepal telling of the resumption of violence and
the breakdown of peace talks in that troubled
country. Newspapers report clashes between rebels
and the army and several bombing incidents. Here
in Bangladesh, just in the one city of Khulna near
where I am staying, there have been 34
assassinations of political leaders and other
prominent persons within the past 2 months. And of
course we read of car bombs and other attacks in
Iraq, suicide bombers in Israel, and other acts of
violence worldwide every day. As I make plans to
travel within and near these countries the issue
of safety becomes pertinent.
This week marks the second anniversary of the
terrorist attacks in New York and Washington;
those events Americans at least consider the most
horrific of all such incidents. American rage
launched the "War on Terrorism" that so far has
lead to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet in those
two years violence has increased, even as
worldwide indignation and effort has been raised
against it. Questions arise. Can we do nothing to
achieve peace? Must the violent and rebellious
win? Is the only answer to force, more force?
Jesus predicted the continuance of war and
violence. It is not certain in this context that
he is proclaiming these to be universal conditions
that will never cease, but at least he affirms
that some violence will happen in the future of
this earth. Noting this does not suggest that we
adopt a fatalistic resignation. It does not mean
that there is nothing that can be done so we must
merely accept it as inevitable. It does suggest a
realistic approach however; not an idealistic
"wishful thinking" kind of approach such as was
taken during the "age of enlightenment" at the
beginning of the twentieth century. At that time
Europeans and Americans believed that society had
outgrown war; that it had become wise enough and
technologically advanced enough that war would no
longer occur. Subsequent events proved such hopes
false.
I would suggest that the answer to terrorism and
war is an individual approach. There is little
that we can do to stamp out violence on a
universal scale. Experience is proving that. We
can however reach and teach our neighbors
individually. We can seek to counter the motives
and causes of violence through love and
compassion, one person at a time. James says war
happens when we have irresponsible or unmet
desires (James 4:1-3). Every time one person is
given new hope there is one less potential
terrorist in this world. Each person who learns
proper priorities and comes to realize that
happiness is God's gift, not something he must
wrest from others becomes one who is less likely
to resort to violence.
The birth of Jesus was proclaimed as God's message
of "peace, goodwill toward men" (Luke 3:14). It is
evident that this did not mean that war would
cease, but rather that those who receive Jesus in
faith can know peace. Peace as eternal security
guaranteed by God's forgiveness. Peace as hope
based on Jesus' promises. Peace as reconciliation
with God through the blood of Christ. Neither
terrorist, despot, or Satan himself can deny us
that peace.
"And do not fear those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is
able to destroy both soul and body in Hell"
(Matthew 10:28).
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