The folly of achieving peace through war

Jesus, the rabbi of the poor people who lived in Northern Palestine, made a final trip south to the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the seat of power for all of Palestine. The reins of economics, religion and politics were held in Jerusalem. As reported in Luke’s Gospel, when he arrived in Jerusalem, Jesus looked at the city and its temples and palaces and made an observation: “Would that today you knew the things that make for peace.”

In my mind’s eye I can see Jesus looking at Washington, D.C., and making the very same observation.

To understand Jesus’ comment, we need to grasp the word that he used for peace. Shalom is one of the most important words used throughout the history of the Israelites. When shalom is achieved, it is much more than a cessation of hostilities. Shalom is achieved when everything is the way it ought to be.

Luke is known as the most thorough researcher of the gospel writers. In telling the story of Jesus, he uses the word “peace” more than the other three gospel writers combined. I would argue that Luke’s presentation of the peaceful Jesus not only accurately presents Jesus, but also reflects the mind of his followers who lived in a troubled, hostile and violent culture. The earliest followers of Jesus were peace lovers. In the first century C.E., the followers of Jesus apparently had an amazing unity in their commitment to peace.

Jesus taught his followers the ways of peace. They were never to take revenge. They were to turn the other cheek and, most of all, love their enemies. By his own example he did not respond when falsely accused and accepted his own unjust execution. Jesus refused to be motivated by fear. The idea of a warrior Jesus is contrary to everything we know about Jesus and his teachings. Jesus knew peace, taught the ways of peace and lived a life of peace.

I write this column in the context of two national debates. The first is the debate about the monitoring of our telephones, emails and any and all other communication vehicles that we might have at our disposal. The debate reveals a fear-driven society. Living by our fears does not reveal a great nation. My own irreverent reaction is laughter. Edward Snowden is of no significance, except that he reveals the depth of fears that pervade our nation. Information gathering in the communication age should surprise no one. Kroger and Safeway already know how many bananas I eat, how much orange juice I drink and that I eat a lot of applesauce. So what? I really do not care if the government or any other entity is tapping into my telephone or my computer. Paul advises us to be anxious about nothing. A mature society that longs for peace ought to be caught up in loving, doing good things and being kind to all. Fears and anxiety are not a part of the things that make for peace.

The more serious public debate is about the use of drones as weapons of war. Some say they are ideal weapons. They are relatively cheap. They can be operated around the world by pilots sitting at a computer desk in Nevada. A pilot can work a shift and then go home to dinner with a loving wife and children. The problem is that drones are killing people indiscriminately. The U.S. has killed thousands of people with drones, including around 200 children. A lot of sensitive people are condemning the use of drones because they make the fight unfair.

As I have listened to the drone debate, I have heard nothing new. Every new weapon of war has been designed to make the fight unfair. Weapons are manufactured to facilitate the killing of human beings. I am an Army veteran. Very quickly in basic training I learned that I was being trained to use weapons to kill people. As I now learn more about drones, I find little moral difference between a drone and an M-1 rifle.

Early Christians were clearly opposed to every form of violence. The ways of peace that Jesus taught and lived were an intrinsic part of Christian faith and practice. Devout Christians were dropouts from the world’s wars. In the fifth century, Augustine attempted to bring morality to war by offering Christians and the world his theories about just wars. Augustine attempted to put limitations on wars. For the past 16 centuries, Augustine’s just war theories have had exactly the opposite effect. Just war theory has been used to justify every war that has been fought since he gave us the rules for the fighting of a just war.

In the final analysis, M-1 rifles, drones, tanks and bombers can all fit into someone’s interpretation of a just war. However, the use of none of those weapons to kill people can be reconciled to the teachings of Jesus. Jesus told his disciple to “put up your sword.” He told us all not to be overcome with evil but to overcome evil with good. The early church taught that “perfect love casts out fear.”

Fear and weapons of violence are a terrible partnership. World peace or peace at any level will never be established through the violence of war. Jesus offered a different path toward peace. His life and teachings continue to offer the world an alternative to perpetual war.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.

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