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Hard Questions in Difficult Times A pastoral response by Jon Showalter

What would you do if a gunman entered your church on The events in Colorado troubled Christians across a Sunday morning intending to shoot and kill? the nation, in part because we recognized that what happened there could just as easily That question moved from hypo- have happened in our church. And W The recent conversa- thetical to all-too-real last December the events brought into focus ques- in a Colorado congregation when a tions among CMC min- tions about how Christians should well-armed young gunman walked isters have demonstrat- respond in the face of senseless into the church lobby minutes after ed that membership in violence. shooting and killing a parishioner in a peace church is not the church parking lot. There seems In the days that followed, a group to be little doubt about his inten- the same thing as per- of from Conservative tions—he planned to kill a lot of sonally holding radical Mennonite Conference discussed people—but before he could carry or strong convictions those events in an email forum; a out that plan he was shot by an off- few weeks after that, the shootings regarding peace. duty security guard, a young woman were again the topic of discussion who happened to be carrying a gun. at a CMC pastors breakfast in the The intruder was apparently injured by the woman’s Plain City area. The questions that emerged were prac- bullet, and then proceeded to kill himself. tical ones. Is it justifiable to shoot and kill an assailant under those circumstances? If not kill, maim? Is there a difference between defend- ing myself and defending someone for whom I’m responsible?

The churches of CMC have a long history of being com- mitted to nonresistance; we’ve understood the teach- ings of in a way that had made us part of what is often called the histor- ic peace churches. But the recent conversations among

6 April 2008 • Brotherhood Beacon The Power of Love: John Mishler’s Story (written to the e-mail forum in which CMC pastors discussed the Colorado shootings and shared with John’s permis- sion)

Hard Questions in My Dear Friends: I hesitate to add my few ideas, but felt a personal experience might help us, since most of our speculations are usually hypothetical. I do this, not for any per- Difficult Times sonal attention or honor, but to say, love and trust works. I have shared my experi- ence only a few times and then only as an illustration in a sermon, but here goes. Fifty years ago while pastoring the Talcum Mennonite Church in South- Eastern Kentucky, in a summer Sunday evening service, with our building about full with 100+ people, while I was just CMC ministers have demonstrated that pastors is a helpful indication, one about at the end of the sermon for the membership in a peace church is not the important factor may be the changing evening, and with the double doors at the same thing as per- convictions of pas- entrance open, a man stepped inside with a long barreled gun In Kentucky, at that sonally holding tors within the con- Were CMC to quietly time, the gun was still an important sym- radical or strong ference. As pastors discard its commit- bol. convictions regard- discussed how they Everyone heard him, and as things got ing peace. ment to teaching and might have respond- real quiet, he raised the gun and cocked it. practicing Jesus’ way ed in the Colorado No one missed hearing the “click”. As he looked over the audience no one knew Last summer in of peace, we would situation, it became the June issue of clear that uncertain- who he was after, since his parents, wife, hardly be the first group and some of the rest of his extended fam- the Brotherhood ty about peace and of Christians to do so. ily were sitting there, as well as many oth- B e a c o n K e v i n nonresistance is not ers of his acquaintances, including myself. Miller examined But that would make it confined to young The day before he had stopped in to talk the uncertainty no less tragic. adults. In the course with me at which time I again rebuked that exists among of those discussions– him for his drinking, to which he respond- the current gen- the email exchanges ed with “when I am drunk I carry a gun.” eration of young CMC adults regard- and the breakfast conversation–perspec- So, who was he after? ing peace and nonresistance. Focusing tives emerged that haven’t historically No one moved and so without any hesitation, I left the pulpit and walked on an extended family with roots in been heard in the context of CMC. down the aisle towards him, who now Greenwood, Delaware, he traced the had the gun turned right at me. I came to ways convictions are shifting as genera- Here are summaries of some of those within less then six inches from the front tions come and go. Early in the twentieth perspectives, along with my reflections of the gun barrel, I extending my right century, Mennonites in Greenwood start- on them. hand to him and calling out his name. ed their own Christian school rather than After some hesitation, he dropped the gun allow their children to recite the pledge and reached out his right hand. I was not aware that one of our older of allegiance to the flag in the local pub- 1 . We need to consider the whole men (one of the first members) was right lic school. Nearly a century later some of counsel of , including the behind me and while I was holding his the descendants of those families were, Old Testament . If we use the hand, he said “let me see what kind of gun as Kevin discovered, prepared to fight to Old Testament as a guide, we’ll you have,” at which time he slowly hand- defend the nation if necessary. How does recognize that God expects his ed the gun to him. By that time his parents change of that magnitude come about? people to exercise lethal force were there beside him leading him away If the recent discussions among CMC under some circumstances . without much resistance. It was over. over → Brotherhood Beacon • april 2008 7 r B C F e a t u r e

A time elapse of only several minutes, but seemed like an eternity at the time. Some observations as I recall that inci- dent: Was I afraid? No (not then, but after- wards, yes). I had no time to consider what might happen. Only one thing mattered, he had to be disarmed for the sake of the 100+ people that were captive to him. Without much thought, I was ready to face what- ever, for the safety of the others. Is that a ’s responsibility? What is in his heart? Along with many other special par- ticulars about the Mountain people, I had learned the value and importance of extending the right hand of friendship, which I felt he recognized as well. I had a congenial relationship with him, although I had witnessed to him a number of times about his need for a saviour, which he did This argument goes to the heart of 2 . Let’s recognize that we are not always appreciate. He was well known the issue of how we read the Bible. nonresistant only because our for his drinking and getting into fights, The just-war tradition has historically parents or our churches have etc. appealed to the Old Testament as an My only “add on” to the entire set taught us that way; if we had of conversations, which I have appreci- important source of guidance for how been raised in a patriotic Baptist ated, is that we so often underestimate the Christians should live. Since godly context, we’d all be patriotic POWER OF LOVE and what God can do leaders in the Old Testament—Moses, Baptists instead . in even the worst situations. Obviously, Joshua, Samson, David—used violence God wanted some of us to live for a while with God’s approval, it’s clear that There is no question that where and longer, He has that in His hand, too. I am the use of violence can’t be outside of how one was raised profoundly shapes convinced that the most powerful entity in God’s will for his people. In contrast, one’s beliefs. And if we follow this line the universe is the exercise of LOVE. We the peace church tradition has empha- are recipients of that love and have it to of reasoning far enough, we might con- express in all our relationships. Paul says sized that the life and teaching of Jesus clude that is nothing more “For the Love of God is spread abroad in has introduced a radically new way than biography. In other words, if what our hearts by the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 5:5). of living and a new way of being the we believe is shaped so profoundly That is our Hope. Jesus said, “Greater love people of God. That’s why it’s called by the experiences of our lives—by has no man, than that he would lay down the , after all, and why where we were born, where we went to his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) I the writer to the Hebrews notes that “if school, what we were taught, the cir- grew up during WWII and remember well there had been nothing wrong with that the phrase used to justify the war effort, cumstances of our lives—then we will “To make the world a safe place for all first covenant, no place would have be able to accurately predict a person’s people.” That, of course, did not last very been sought for another.” (Heb. 8:7) beliefs simply on the basis of their long after the war ended. biography. Nonresistance to evil is not, in my This is not really an argument to be mind, a doctrine peculiar to our denomi- won or lost. It’s rather a matter of But we can’t take this line of reason- nation, but is a way of life for all God’s deciding how to read Scripture most ing very far without undermining the people in all our relationships. If this is too faithfully, and then following the impli- entire Christian faith at a fundamental long, I am sorry, (you did not have to read cations of that decision to their logical it all). B B level. If my belief in nonresistance is Blessings, conclusions. The way one understands solely the result of being born into or John Mishler, the relationship between the two testa- nurtured by a particular faith commu- Bridgeville, DE ments has huge implications for how nity, why not argue that I’m a Christian we live. And in CMC we’ve consis- only because I happened to be born tently affirmed the priority of the New and nurtured among Christians? If Testament. Christian faith is seen merely as a set of

8 April 2008 • Brotherhood Beacon We’re not the only ones . . . The Assemblies of God The following statement was adopted by the Assemblies of God on April 28, 1917, on the entry of the United States into World War I, and remained the official position of the denomination until 1967. Resolution Concerning the Attitude of the General Council of the Assemblies of God Toward any Military Service Which Involves the Actual Participation in the Destruction of Human Life . While recognizing Human Govern- ment as of Divine ordination and affirming our unswerving loyalty to the Government of the United States, nevertheless we are constrained to define our position with reference to the taking of human life. We, as a body of Christians, while pur- religious beliefs that I happen to have history. And as the sidebars to this posing to fulfil all the obligations of loyal been shaped by, there is little reason for article demonstrate, it’s not a doctrine citizenship, are nevertheless constrained me to urge anyone else to embrace it. unique to Mennonites in the twentieth to declare we cannot conscientiously par- Unless, of course, it’s also true. And if and twenty-first centuries either. ticipate in war and armed resistance which involves the actual destruction of human it’s true, then it is true whether or not I life, since this is contrary to our view of believe it, whether or not my commu- 3 . It may be appropriate to the clear teachings of the inspired Word of nity believes it. respond peacefully as an indi- God, which is the sole basis of our faith. vidual to aggression, but when Pentecostal Pacifism: The Origin, And so it is with peace and nonresis- someone I have the responsibility Development, and Rejection of Pacific tance. If Jesus intended us to live that to protect is threatened that’s a Belief among the Pentecostals. Center for way, it doesn’t ultimately matter wheth- different matter . Then I’m justi- Mennonite Brethren Studies, Hillsboro, er or not there is consensus about it fied in using force, even lethal Kansas 1989. Jay Beaman. Page 24. in the Christian community. Those of force if necessary . us in the free church tradition believe Greg Boyd that Christians have been misguided Some version of this distinction has Greg Boyd is the founder and senior about many things over the past two long been at the heart of Christian just- pastor of Woodland Hills Church in St. millennia: the idea that Christian ortho- war theory. Augustine was the first to Paul Minnesota. In April of 2004 he began doxy should be enforced by the power develop it carefully, arguing in the fifth a series of sermons entitled The Cross and of the state (consider the execution century that a Christian soldier acting the Sword in which he set out to expose the danger of associating the Christian of Servetus, a non-trinitarian heretic, under orders is not morally responsible faith too closely with any political point of in Calvin’s Geneva), or the idea that for his actions. The superior who gave view. About twenty percent of his congre- unless babies are baptized to remove the orders is accountable, but not the gation (roughly a thousand people) left the the guilt of original sin they would be soldier who carries them out. Luther church. In 2005 that sermon series served lost were they to die. also argued that Christians should be as the foundation for a book titled The nonresistant when they are attacked Myth of a Christian Nation (Zondervan, This is not to say that the testimony personally, but that they are permitted 2007). of church history is irrelevant. If my to use lethal force when necessary in Boyd examines the questions about self understanding of Scripture leads me the defense of others. defense, and more specifically, what to to positions so novel that no Christian do if someone attacked his family. Boyd has ever held them before, I should be There have, for centuries now, been acknowledges that it’s hard to say with cer- deeply suspicious. But peace is hardly a Christians who held this position, tainty what he would do. But what should novel doctrine in light of the testimony and many American evangelicals still he do? of the first three centuries of Christian embrace it. What’s new is to hear over →

Brotherhood Beacon • april 2008 9 “I think it is clear from Jesus’ teach- these perspectives argued in conversa- heading off to protect the country— ing, life, and especially his death that Jesus tions among pastors in Conservative prepared to kill our enemies on our would choose nonviolence. So, it seems Mennonite Conference. behalf if necessary—but that’s not a to me that a person who was totally con- ceremony that Christians committed to formed to the image of Jesus Christ, who 4 . Nonresistance is a pet nonviolence are likely to stick around had thoroughly cultivated a kingdom mind Mennonite doctrine that we are for. and heart, would do the same” (166). in danger of overemphasizing . With respect to the question of It may be okay for us but we As I noted above, questions about or Christians serving in the military: mustn’t be divisive about it and objections to the way of peace are “While I respect that people will have we shouldn’t expect the majority hardly new. Since Augustine first for- differing convictions about this, I must of Christians to embrace it . mulated a Christian version of what confess that I find it impossible to recon- had already long existed in the Greco- cile Jesus’ teaching (and the teaching of Clearly it is possible to emphasize Roman tradition as just-war theory, the the whole New Testament) concerning our peace and nonresistance so obsessively majority of Christians in the West have call to love our enemies and never return that other aspects embraced the idea M evil with evil with the choice to serve (or of the gospel get It would be ironic tim- that Christians not resist being drafted) in the armed forc- crowded out. But may use violence es in a capacity that might require killing in an environment ing [were we to dis- under certain cir- someone. . . however much we might wish like the one we card our commitment cumstances. What it were otherwise, there is no plausible way live in, surround- to practicing Jesus’ sobered me about to insert a “just war” exception clause into ed by evangelical way of peace] just as the discussions Jesus’ teachings” (167-68). Christian voices among CMC pas- who reject this part so many other voices tors was that we For more from Greg Boyd visit his of Christ’s teach- in the Western church were hearing just- website at www.gregboyd.org. ing, that doesn’t are wondering wheth- war arguments seem like a serious er they haven’t been coming from fel- danger. It is also low ministers in Brian McLaren the case that there ignoring an important the conference. After pastoring for many years, Brain are individuals part of the Gospel of McLaren now spends most of his time advocating peace the kingdom. Steve Swartz con- writing and speaking. While not fully com- and nonviolence cluded his editori- mitting himself to nonresistance, in his who hold all sorts al in the February 2006 book titled The Secret Message of of other views that we don’t embrace. Brotherhood Beacon with the obser- Jesus (Thomas Nelson, 2006), McLaren But that’s not an adequate basis for vation that further study of the issue has this to say about the peaceable king- constructing a theology. of nonresistance with the ministers of dom: CMC “seems timely and appropriate.” “The secret message of Jesus, by deal- With regard to some theological under- I agree, but would put it more strongly ing with the root causes of war in this way, standings it’s easy for Christians sim- than that. I believe further conversation does not promise the easiest, fastest, safest ply to agree to disagree. With others, is necessary and urgent. Were CMC and most convenient method of ending the differences are important enough to quietly discard its commitment to violent conflict–but it offers, I believe, the that it’s hard to bridge the distance in teaching and practicing Jesus’ way of only sure one. Perhaps as few people today the context of congregational life. For peace, we would hardly be the first will be willing to believe and practice this example, if Christians disagree about group of Christians to do so. But that message as when it was first proclaimed. the timing of Christ’s return, they can would make it no less tragic. And it There are plenty of popular escape hatches probably get along nicely until the would be ironic timing were we to do for those who don’t want to go there. But rapture (if there is one!) without ever so just as so many other voices in the perhaps nearly two thousand years of try- settling the question. A disagreement Western church are wondering whether ing these alternatives should begin to make about the mode of baptism may be they haven’t been ignoring an impor- us ready to consider that Jesus may have more complicated, but many congre- tant part of the Gospel of the kingdom. been more right, more practical, and wiser gations allow baptismal candidates to than we realized, and his secret message choose the one they prefer. May God give us wisdom and courage. may have meant what it said about lov- B B ing–not killing–enemies” (156). B B That kind of flexibility may be more difficult in Jon Showalter has taught at Rosedale For more from Brian McLaren visit his relation to peace. A con- Bible College since 1991, and has website at www.brianmclaren.net. gregation may choose to served as academic dean since 1996 . pray public prayers of He lives with his wife, Dawn, and blessing on servicemen their four sons in Rosedale, Ohio .

10 April 2008 • Brotherhood Beacon