A brochure distributed from the general offices says, "The Church of the Brethren joins Christians around the world in calling for a Decade to Overcome Violence as we begin the Twenty-first Century." One of the presenters from the platform during Annual Conference at Boise, Idaho said that she hoped the program would serve to end all violence by the year 2010!
That violence is pervasive in our society is no secret. In their book Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill (New York: Crown Books), Dave Grossman (a psychology professor at West Point) and Gloria DeGaetano (an author educator) point out alarming statistics regarding the culture of youth violence. They declare that among young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years old, murder is the second leading cause of death. For African-American youths, murder is number one. Every five minutes a child is arrested in America for committing a violent crime, and gun related violence takes the life of an American child every three hours. There are approximately 4,880 gangs in the United States, with about 250,000 members.
According to the authors of Teaching Our Kids to Kill the recent wave of violence by children is directly linked to the desensitizing and bloody imagery found on television, in films, and in video and computer games. The Center for Media and Public Affairs monitored a typical June day's worth of programs to check for violent acts. The Center counted more than two thousand intentional real-life violent acts during an eighteen hour period. Even more alarming is the fact that the majority of this mayhem appeared during children's programs, with cartoons registering 25 violent acts per hour. The cover story of Time magazine for August 23, 1993 called the United States - "America the Violent."
Violence has made its mark on human history from earliest times. Already in Genesis 4 we read about Cain and Abel. One murder after another occurred in Israel. Hosea 4:2 describes the violence by using the words "blood toucheth blood" (KJV). That phrase is an expression representing widespread murder. Later in human history, Rome had its gladiators; the United States has its Indianapolis 500! Every year during the Memorial Day season several people are killed--lives sacrificed for the pleasure of the crowd.
The mention of violence in connection with automobiles, reminds us of the increasing problems with "road rage." A report released by the American Automobile Association says that ,'motorists are increasingly being shot, stabbed, beaten, and run over for inane reasons." News reporters say that American drivers today are more rude and mean and dangerous than ever before. A 3,000 pound car in the hands of a rude and hostile person is a lethal weapon.
The solution to the problem of violence involves more than man-made attempts to be nice to everybody. One religious document says, "We must work to create a world without violence." But such statements usually ignore the fact of the wickedness of the human heart, and the hopelessness of human society without God. Many in the modern church have devised their own humanistic religion, with experts ("priests") who imply that the Bible is wrong about human propensities to evil, and that their way is right. The fact is this: Violence is rooted in the human heart (Genesis 6:5, 11-12), and only the grace of God can remove it.
The Lord calls upon human beings to become peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), but as Brother Samuel Cassel says, "The Scriptural call to peacemaking only works properly, and with long lasting results, for people who have found the peace of God through Jesus Christ, and have experienced the Holy Spirit empowering them. Peacemaking does not work for those who are part of the unregenerate society." Readers are invited to read the insightful article written by Samuel M. Cassel on the pages that follow.
The Bible says that in the days of Noah the earth was filled with violence and God destroyed the earth with a Flood (Genesis 6:13; 7:11-12). None of us knows anything more about those days than what the Bible says. And as we see, hear, and read about the violence in the world today, sometimes we wonder how much worse it must get before God will once again say, "It is enough."
What is my responsibility as a Christian toward overcoming violence? Do I yell "Stop it; violence is wrong" or do I say "Well, it's always been this way"—and try to ignore it and stay out of harm's way? What does the Bible say on the subject of violence? And what should be our Christian response? Matthew.5:9 and Romans 12:21 are addressed to believers. We want to look at five Bible points related to the subject.
1. The Fact of Violence
One needs only to read newspapers and magazines—and listen to the news, to confirm Matthew 24:6-7, which are the words of Jesus. History shows that there have been only 200 years of peace, and that was under Roman Rule, which maintained a forced peace. We must be reminded also that violence includes more than large scale wars. Violence takes on many forms, and exists at all levels of society.
At the home level—physical and emotional abuse, broken homes, and emotionally scarred children happen not only in urban places, but also in rural homes, even in so-called Christian homes.
At the school level—it happened in Columbine, Colorado and Santee, California, where young Charles Andrew Williams killed two and wounded 13. Williams, tired of being picked on, after having his skateboard stolen, shoes taken, and burned with hot metal pressed on his neck—finally cracked mentally and lashed at others. More recently, hazing and bullying with its accompanying violence have reached the national news.
At the neighborhood level—drug dealers have their turfs and will shoot it out with intruders and non-paying users. These persons in turn rob and kill to get money. Even their own families are not safe. Those with gambling addiction will take the necessities from their loved ones to feed their habit. Others at gun point steal cars. Some stores even sell toys that convey violence—such as decapitated heads and bodies, and call it amusement for children. Videos that glorify the thrill to kill are available. Some video games (where violence is not only observed but rehearsed) are being sold. Reader's Digest (January, 2003) has an article called "Born to Die," which is an essay about Pit Bulls raised to kill and maul each other until one or both of the dogs die. People are paying to see blood, gore, and violence. Some seem to delight in seeing creatures suffer.
At the highway level—road rage has become epidemic. A number of us have been eyewitnesses to what could have become nasty scenes.
At the institutional level—many see nothing wrong with partial-birth abortions and the violent death of helpless babies. Even the elderly areconsidered a burden to society, and some, seemingly without a sense of guilt, can argue for doing away with human lives. Before politicians at a National Prayer Breakfast, Mother Teresa said, "If we accept that a mother can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill each other?"
At the powerful-people level—dictators sometimes kill innocent people and those who oppose them, and seem to delight in seeing them suffer and scream in cruel ways. Some have been thrown into wood shredders feet first to punish and to hear them scream.
At the nation-warring-with-nation level—national leaders often claim that theirs is a just war, while innocent citizens suffer most. On rare occasions, even religious groups kill those that do not agree with them, or try to convert to another faith. Today we have a culture of violence and death.
2. The Root of Violence
The Bible says that humankind is not basically good but evil. Note just a few Scripture passages: Mark 7:21-23; Jeremiah 17:9; and James 4:1-3.
Secular society will sometimes agree. The Minnesota Crime Commission, a secular group focusing on the reasons for rising crime rates, published a startling description of children that includes these words: "Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered. All children are born delinquents." Cal Thomas says, "No child is taught to kill; he has to be taught to love, respect, honor, and value not only his own life, but the lives of his classmates, parents, and teachers." Without teaching, it becomes dog eat dog, the "ins" versus the "outs," and the "haves" versus the "have nots." It is just the natural result of accepting the evolution theory "mentality"—the survival of the fittest. Do what feels good; take no responsibility for your actions; blame others or society for your problems. Modern "pop" music glorifies drugs, violence, greed, covetousness, hatred, sex, sexual deviancy—all of which leads to sadistic pleasure and violence.
There has been an age-old problem of unprovoked violence. In 1 Kings 21, King Ahab killed Naboth to get his vineyard. In Judges 9, Abimelech killed seventy brothers in order to become king. In Genesis 4, Cain killed Abel because Abel's offering pleased God more. In 2 Kings 11, Athaliah killed all but one of her posterity in order to become the queen. She was a woman void of all motherly instinct to protect her offspring. What is wrong? There are answers in Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:20-21, and Isaiah 59:1-8. Humanity has increased in knowledge and technology skills, but the inner nature has not changed. Chuck Colson says, "Our culture has bred a generation without a conscience." When a society accepts no right or wrong values, and no absolutes, all do what is right in their own eyes, and the result is violence and chaos.
3. The World's Efforts to Curb Violence
Mankind as a whole has longed for peace and has hoped for the end of violence. Luke 2:14 speaks of words of peace and goodwill toward men. Isaiah 2:2-4 tells about the beating of swords into plowshares and nations not learning war any more. All this sounds great and we long for such conditions to become reality. But today most world leaders are trying to use human efforts to accomplish this end. They are trying to do it without seeking God's help. Many do not want to even acknowledge that there is a God. They are looking to modern technology to isolate criminal genes, and are hoping that medicines can be used to solve problems. Mankind has tried to legislate behavior. In many places force is used in the attempt to curb violence. It may seem to work for awhile, but it is like trying to get rid of thistles by chopping them off at ground level. The roots continue to grow and spread under ground and pop up again at a future time. Jeremiah 6:14 says that those things only help a little. For example, freeing the slaves in the 1860s did not end violence and bring goodwill. Getting rid of a less than kindly dictator does not guarantee peace and security and freedom. Just putting people in jails for awhile does not mean that at the time of their release, they will be gentle and peace loving.
World War I was to be the war to end wars. It has not occurred. Having a restraining order against an abusive spouse is no sure proof that the problem is settled. Having metal detectors in schools, and more gun laws, is no guarantee that violence will become less prevalent. William Penn tried his Holy Experiment in Pennsylvania, treating the Indians as equals and paying for the land. There were no Indian wars as long the majority of new settlers were likeminded. But later when a selfish majority took over, violence and wars followed. See Ezekiel 13:10, 16. Many peace treaties are deceptive and are agreed upon for selfish purposes. See 1 Thessalonians 5:3.
We support peace efforts that are for real, but many of us recall reading how Hitler used a peace treaty with Stalin for his advantage. The world does not understand Romans 3:17 and the sinful bent of the human nature. Let us pray that the much touted "Road Map for Peace" will do some good. Without governments and their efforts to keep the peace, things would be a lot worse. Nobody wants anarchy, neither does God. As a result, He ordained governments to keep law and order as best they can (Romans 13:1-7). And God will use one nation to punish another if they get too far out of order. Francis Schaeffer says," When truth retreats, tyranny advances." "Damage control" is the best that the world can hope for. Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword. And that is the kind of world we experience today. Is there no way out? Yes there is—if we really want a way out of the dilemma.
4. The True Source of Peace
Jesus is the true source of peace! John 14:27 says it very clearly: "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Psalm 46:9 says that God is the answer to war and violence. God must touch the hearts of human beings, and He will do that if we are willing. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." The Lord wants to make us new creatures.
We see the contrast between the old and the new in James 3:14-18. Note these words: "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
We can make the choice whether or not to choose Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives. The promise is for all people (Luke 2:10).
To overcome violence we must first find peace with God through Jesus Christ. We applaud any and all efforts for peace on every front—in the home, the community, the nation and the world. But all such efforts are only temporary until Christ returns. Read the whole context of Isaiah 2:3, Daniel 2:44, and Daniel 7:13-14. It becomes very clear that God will usher in the era when war and violence will cease. But that does not mean we should just close our eyes and pray for the day to come. We are commissioned now in this age to be peacemakers!
5. The Need for Peacemakers
Read Matthew 5:9, Matthew 5:38-48, and Romans 12:18-21 for the teaching of Scripture on the subject of active peacemaking. These Scriptures only work properly and with long lasting results for people who have found the peace of God through Jesus Christ, and have experienced the Holy Spirit empowering them. Peacemaking does not work for those who are part of the unregenerate society.
We have a few examples of peacemakers in the Old Testament. In Genesis 13, Abraham gave Lot the first pick of the land to graze cattle. He took that step in order to keep the peace. And in Genesis 26, Isaac went the third mile over water rights for the purpose of keeping the peace. In 1 Samuel 25, Abigail risked her life to keep angry David from doing violence to her evil husband.
Jesus in the New Testament raised the level of non-resistance, not only in the Sermon on the Mount, but at other times, as we find in Luke 9:54-55. Jesus showed the non-resistant spirit all the way to the Cross. He blessed and cursed not, and in 1 Peter 2:21 we are told that we should follow in His steps.
We must be diligent about showing the way of non-resistance and non-violence. We are not born with these virtues. Learning to react peacefully when others insult us is a growing process even after becoming followers of Jesus. In my personal pilgrimage, anger and revenge did not leave my heart until I focused on Jesus instead of on my own ego. To achieve victory over a violent nature is not a sign of weakness, but is a mark of courage of the highest kind. See the response of the apostles as described in Acts 14:19-20. I believe that when we walk in God's will, we are immortal until God's work for us is done. Peacemaking is not an on-and-off position. It must operate at any given time. We are citizens of a different kingdom. See John 18:36 and 2 Timothy 2:14.
It is inconsistent to point out that the Koran teaches violence, and at the same time pay little attention to the fact that Jesus teaches non-violence. Nonresistant Christians follow Romans 12:18, refusing to take human life, whether it is that of an unborn baby or a seriously ill elderly person. We do not participate even in a so-called just war. We choose not to participate in condemning a murderer to death. We do not know the whole story in many cases, as is clearly stated in I Corinthians 4:5. We let such decisions to God (Romans 12:19), and to the "powers that be" (Romans 13:1-4). The position of peacemaking does not mean that we are defenseless. God has many options for any given situation. We do not need to reach for a gun or a knife. Psalm 20:7 says that some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. God sometimes uses angels to come to the rescue (Acts 12:11).
God can even by His Spirit stop evil intention (1 Samuel 19:23). Proverbs l6:7 is a promise that William Penn embraced more effectively than the Puritans did, and thus he had fewer problems with the Indians. Peacemakers live by the Golden Rule rather than by the rule of gold (Matthew 7:12). Peacemakers start on the home front with their family. And then move out to the neighborhood, the workplace, and the church. They follow the wisdom which is from above (James 3:17-18).
We can hardly be successful at peacemaking until we have at least tried to be reconciled with an offended brother (Matthew 5:23-24), and have conquered pride (Proverbs l3:10), and hold no hatred toward any other person. First John 2:9, 3:15, and 4:20 explain that failure to get reconciled with an enemy is a very serious matter—implying that hatred is equal to murder. We cannot love God and hate our brother. Those who do hate a brother do not have eternal life abiding in them. Granted some people are harder to love, to forgive, and to live with peacefully—but God can give the grace to live in harmony even with cantankerous people (Philippians 4:13). Stephen's forgiving spirit in the midst of violence and of flying stones made a lasting impression on the heart of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 7:54-60; 22:20).
The way to overcome violence is from the inside out—by God's grace. First cast out covetousness, greed, hatred, bitterness, and an unforgiving spirit. When we weed the violence out of our own hearts by God's grace—then we can see clearly how to help our families, neighbors, fellow workers, church co-workers, and the larger society—to do the same. You and I can then be like John the Baptist. We can be forerunners of Jesus' Second Coming—and model the time when peace, goodwill, and joy will be completed among all mankind.
Who am I helping and interceding for in this violent world? Is it for a family member who is abused or neglected? Am I alert and ready to help and encourage? Just maybe you and I can stop another potential "Andy Williams" incident. It is important to be consistent. Mother Teresa, in the incident mentioned earlier, exposed the hypocrisy of people who wring their hands over the starving children of India, but then approve the abortion of tens of millions of unborn children around the world. Mother Teresa even addressed the practical question, "If abortion is outlawed, who will care for all those babies? Her simple answer was, "I will." She has placed thousands of babies in adopted homes. She was a winner of a Nobel Peace Prize. May we also be peacemakers in the name of Jesus, rather than in the broad pacifistic camp.
We
believe that the problem of violence is deeper than societal or governmental
flaws, and the solution cannot be legislated or forced. Violence is not
the result of poverty or poor education. Rather, it is the result of the
evil propensity of sinful hearts. We as believers must work from bottom
up as stated in Matthew 5:13-16, teaching our children the laws of biblical
morality and self-control, re-building strong and loving families, and
showing that this is the way to lasting peace, contentment, and security.
We are to be an example of an environment which is void of selfishness,
strife, and violence. The world may be like a sea of violence, but Jesus
wants us to be an island of peacemakers—lighthouses saving lives!