Radical Alternative?

Tomorrow I will be faced with the opportunity to present Christian pacifism (or should we say the "Third Way"---active nonviolence) as I understand it. I will be discussing this with about 25 other people, most of whom grew up with just-war theory and believe just-war to be the solution. Some have never heard of Christian pacifism; some have heard of it from angry, aggressive "pacifists." I will undoubtedly be dealt ever-so-familiar questions: "What would you do if..." "What if we hadn't fought in WWII and stopped Hitler..." "How can you sit back while thousands of innocent people are oppressed..." "What about 'there is a time for everything, a time for peace and a time for war'..."

Here are some of my thoughts.

Pacifism is not only choosing against war, or choosing not to participate in the military. Pacifism is a lifestyle, an attitude towards life and others... which some tend to neglect.

"Ethical humility reminds pacifists who sometimes slip into moral pride or the illusion of perfectionism that they too stand before God in daily need of his forgiveness and grace." (Choosing Against War, John Roth)

Conflict, violence and the sin of human nature will not be resolved until the kingdom of God transforms the globe. But we are still called to be peacemakers---to be in the world, but not of it.

The kingdom of God is the radical alternative to the kingdom of the world. Do we truly believe this?

Are we placing more confidence in the ability of Christians to influence society by political means or by distinctly kingdom-of-God means?

If we are to live according to the kingdom of God, providing a radical alternative, what is the difference of a Christian going to war and a non-Christian going to war?



As the sun rises tomorrow, I pray that God will grant grace and courage to present the third option in love. I'd appreciate your prayers, especially around 1:00 p.m.!