NON-VIOLENCE ISSUE // www.servantsasia.org // JAN 2015

Servants is an international network of Christian communities living and working in the slums of Asia and the West, participating with the poor to bring hope and justice through Jesus Christ. “Peacemaking is the act of finding a third way that is neither flight nor flight but the careful, arduous pursuit of reconciliation and justice.” - Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals

Call for Submissions Our next issue of Servants Quarters will be coming out in May 2015. Stay tuned for our topic, but the deadline will be in March. We welcome your reflections, poetry, stories, art and photography and we look forward to hearing from you!

Editor Alyse Kotyk Submissions Supervisor Tom Wartenweiler Graphic Designer Charlotte Browning Proofreaders Anna Wood and Trudy Smith We welcome your feedback. Send any thoughts to Alyse at [email protected] Looking to keep up-to-date on what Servants teams are up to? Email [email protected] to be added to “The Inside Edge” mailing list!

Scripture quotations taken from the New International Version, copyrighted 1986, 1992, 2002 by The Zondervan Corporation, Michigan, USA.

Non-Violence Issue Vol. 5, No.1 // January 2015

3/ From the Editor 13/ Loving our Enemies Alyse Kotyk Jonathan H 5/ Forgiveness in the 16/ The Jihad of Jesus Thick of It Dave Andrews Trudy Smith, Vancouver 20/ 7/ Beyond our Boundaries Servants’ Commitment Idina, Southall to Non-Violence Kristin Jack 9/ A Gentle, Relational Revolution Cathy D 21/ Growing Up to Be a Child 11/ The (un)Heroism Peter Sidebotham of Nonviolence Jason Wood, Vancouver 22/ Servants News & Opportunities how could he have really caused extensive harm to anyone?

As I continued past the scene I slowly came to recognize that I from the Editor did not have access to the entire story. For either “side,” I did not fully understand how or why they had reached that point and therefore Dear Servants friends, family and I could not say what the best solution supporters, would have been. Perhaps the law-enforcers weren’t being violent This morning, as I was walking at all and perhaps I had read the to work, I passed an encounter circumstances incorrectly. Put between a police officer and a simply, while sitting at a comfortable member of the Downtown East- distance from the situation I was side (DTES) community here in certain there was a better, less Vancouver. For those of you who violent way that things could have aren’t familiar, the DTES is the played out. But if I had been in poorest urban neighbourhood in the thick of it, what would’ve my Canada and is one that is often actions been? While I didn’t have known for its high crime rates and any immediate answers, it cycles of addiction. As a result, certainly made me consider my it’s not uncommon to witness perspective on non-violence. altercations between the police and members of the community Non-violence is a complex topic on an ordinary stroll through the and in this issue you’ll read about neighbourhood. the journeys individuals within Servants are on with it. May these This one, in particular, struck honest reflections encourage me as rather violent. There were growth in your understanding and three cops standing over a man may we, together, find ways to who had a broken leg. One was take steps towards love-filled in- keeping his arms behind is back teractions in our daily lives. while another was holding his face into the rain-soaked sidewalk. My With peace, response was visceral: I felt angry at the callousness and Alyse Kotyk obvious aggression of the law-en- Editor, Servants Quarters forcers. This man was on crutches;

3 4 3 4 been destroyed by fighting, for the FORGIVENESS land that has been ravaged in battle in the over the years. And then we sang, in repentance and hope, read- Thick of Things ing prophecy about swords being beaten into ploughshares and asking by Trudy Smith, Vancouver for God to lead us into peace.

In our house, this weekly event after Tuesday night community dinners is called Creative World Justice. “You can no more win a war than The purpose is pretty much what win an earthquake.” it sounds like—to worship, learn, and brainstorm together about the Those were the words of creative steps we can take towards Montana Republican, Jeannette promoting justice in the world, as Rankin, the first woman elected to individuals and as a group. We the U.S. Congress, explaining her alternate between learning nights lone vote against America’s entry and worship nights, and we’ve into World War II in 1941. Those recently begun a series exploring were the words that explained nonviolence: its basis in scripture, my thoughts on this Veteran’s examples of successful nonviolent Day/Canadian Remembrance actions in history, and practical Day, seventy-three years later, as applications for dealing with con- my teammates and I prepared flict and threatening situations in our for an evening of worship and own lives. Awkward as it initially prayer with our neighbors in the seemed, we soon realized how Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. fitting it was for Remembrance Knowing that many of us in the Day in Canada and Veterans’ Day room had family members of loved in the United States to fall in the ones who had fought in wars, we middle of this learning process: discussed our genuine respect and nonviolence is especially relevant concern for all those whose lives in a context where violence is have been affected by war in one celebrated and sanctioned. Col- way or another, and explained lective reflection on history that it was this love which leads so often becomes a means us to oppose the ideologies of reinforcing national allegiance and systems that create war in to violence, but this occasion the first place. We then spent time gave all of us a chance to think praying for veterans, especially critically about how to reframe the those whose unresolved physical or act of remembering, turning it into emotional trauma marginalizes them in an opportunity to grieve the bitter society, plunging them into poverty fruit of violence and to reflect on and homelessness. We prayed for the desperate need for a new way. people who have lost loved ones in war, for the communities that have At the beginning of this series, 5 6 I had the privilege of leading a Jesus’ teachings about forgiveness discussion on nonviolence in the and nonviolence are difficult for Bible, particularly in the life of Jesus. us all, but especially for so many I had read these verses so many people in that room, whose lives times over the years, and I had have been shaped in significant often taken part in theological ways by violence. I respected the discussions and detached, intel- courage of my new friends to take lectual conversations in which the words of Christ seriously and I had discussed violence on an to grapple with them right in the impersonal, even hypothetical thick of it all. I admired their level. I would hold the world’s humility and honesty in sharing problems at arm’s length, arguing the difficult emotions and the back and forth about historical fragile places in their lives that wars, current large-scale con- have made it difficult for them to flicts that are far enough away respond to violence in any other to exist for us only in newspaper way than with retribution. Some headlines, or potential scenarios of them are also very new on their of aggression or crime in which journey with Jesus, and I was self-defense would be necessary. inspired by their passion to soak up this new way of being in the But that night, Jesus’ words and world. example of forgiveness and enemy love had never felt more powerful. In the face of so much raw honesty The room was full of people for and pain, I was humbled myself whom violence is a personal issue. by the reminder that this nonviolent Many of them grew up in violent path is not a solution that I have homes, were abused as children, to hand out to people. It’s not belonged to gangs when they anything I have mastered myself, were younger, had boyfriends or and it certainly is no short-cut husbands who beat them up, or or cure-all for the pain. It’s a perhaps served jail time for beating up difficult and lengthy process of someone themselves. One woman inner transformation, and it is a came into the discussion reeling learning curve that we are all on from the news that a close friend together, stumbling and back- had been the victim of an extremely tracking and finding our way forward savage crime earlier that week again. But it is a potent anecdote week—one which may yet take to the fight-or-flight world and the her life as it remains to be seen survival mentality that we’ve all whether she will make a recovery been raised with. In fact, it is exactly in the hospital or not. Is it offensive in the thrall of horrific violence that or even ridiculous to talk about forgiveness and creative, compas- forgiveness against the backdrop sionate resistance are needed: to of such vitriolic hatred and evil? overcome evil with good. // 5 6 Beyond • report, featuring footage from Southall, was headlined: our BOUNDARIES “Swapping the Foodbank for by Idina, Southall a Temple.” The reporter stated that: “It seems many people It seems that currently the media are now preferring to go to is full of stories that portray a par- a local temple for a hot meal ticular demographic group as “the than use a food bank.” They enemy.” It makes us feel safe if are well aware the Foodbank is we know who the enemy is, and run by a Christian charity, and it makes our authorities appear gives out packaged food to strong and invaluable in defending those in desperate circumstances us against them. In the past “the for them to cook at home. The enemy” has been Jews or communists. Sikh Gurdwara gives out free In the UK the negative focus at this hot, Indian food 7 days per time seems to be on immigrants, week, which is wonderful, and and especially Muslims. Recent a completely different service. examples that have caught my Why compare these two pro- attention are: visions and make service to the most vulnerable divisive? • Gaining popularity of the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in • We have seen the headlines UK politics, with its core message about the atrocities performed of anti-immigration, and thus by members of “Islamic inevitable stigmatisation of State,” especially from Iraq those with a different ethnic- and Syria. They are shocking and ity or religion. As a reaction, horrific, but care needs to be taken even our defence secretary a about what generalisations are couple of weeks ago claimed made from these actions. I that “British towns are being attended an inter-faith dialogue ‘swamped’ by immigrants meeting a couple of weeks ago, and their residents are ‘under where an honoured Muslim siege’.” The greatest areas of academic was speaking. He support for these views are in hesitated to use the name of the areas where no one from the “Islamic State,” saying the overseas lives. In London, organisation’s ethos is neither support is minimal because “Islamic” (in its use of violence our neighbours may be from and oppression) nor a recognised many countries of the world, state. Ordinary Muslims in UK we know them and value them are being targeted on the - more than 300 languages are basis of these reports. Met- spoken in London. ropolitan Police figures show • Even the BBC is pitching reli- that hate crime against Mus- gions against each other in a lims in London has risen by bid to make news. A recent 65% over the last 12 months.

Servants has had a team in decided to have short worship Southall, West London, since 2008 time to begin our evening, before and from the start we had a vision feasting and then walking around to facilitate bridges between our neighbourhood watching every- people of different groupings. one lighting fireworks – a display Southall has been defined as the that I’m sure rivals India! As we “least British place” in the UK. The began by sitting on the floor in a statistics show that at least 88% circle and having a time of quiet, of residents describe themselves even the children joined in, and black or Asian. Although we live then each person in turn lit a candle side-by-side relatively peacefully, it while thanking God for an aspect is rare that people from different of His light. Then we thought religious or ethnic communities about Jesus as light coming to the mix, except at the local schools. world, and ways in which we can We have helped create some safe bring light to places of darkness, as spaces for people of different He did. As we shared, everyone communities to meet, for example opened up and wanted to speak at our community garden, a par- about their contribution. No one ent-and-toddler group and during was excluded, we realised every- outings to the beach. One recent one had a gift of light to bring. It occasion that especially seems to was truly beautiful! In the struggle illustrate this was at our Thursday against injustice and oppression, night gathering, renamed “Hope by coming in an opposite spirit, 4 All” (as our house number this is our small-scale, local response is 4). Each week between 15-25 to promoting non-violence. As we neighbours gather at 7pm, bringing live out our lives in Southall, we food to share with each other. The value and celebrate the diversity folk who come are Sikhs, Muslims, we encounter, and our shared Hindus, churched and un-churched humanity within it, and we long to Christians, British, Indian, Pakistani, encourage our neighbours to do pure vegetarian, meat-eaters, the same. Jesus said: “Blessed teenagers, children, babies, elderly, are the peacemakers, for they single mothers, single fathers, shall be called children of God.” single others ... and probably just Each of our neighbours, broken about every demographic you as they may be, who choose to could think of! After the shared move beyond the boundaries of meal (Eucharist?) we generally their own cultural demographic, have a social time, possibly including are blessed by it and bless others games, crafts or story-telling. by doing so. They reach out be- yond themselves and experience This year, as Diwali was on a shalom. And I can imagine the Thursday, we chose to celebrate Father gazing on his children who together. I am always humbled love Him and each other, who that some of our Sikh friends stand against the predominant culture want to come to celebrate Diwa- of division and independence that li – their most important family separates us from being all we can festival – with us. This year we be together, and smiling. // By contrast, not much has actually happened yet to Westerners as a GENTLE, a result of the Islamic State, agitations, but very provocative RELATIONAL threats have been made, with serious evidence of the ability to Revolution carry them out. I feel there is great by Cathy D danger in this atmosphere of threat and uncertainty – the potential for people or nations to do ruthless and regrettable things out of fear and hate, and escalate the situation We don’t own a TV, and very out of control. rarely watch one at all, so it was a strange coincidence a couple What can we, the little people with- of months ago that we happened out political clout or wide social upon a TV news analysis about influence, do? I think the base-line Islamic State terror threats is- sued to Australians and citi- is to keep building relationships zens of other Western countries. of trust, based on mutual respect Somehow it seemed similar to and understanding. We need these and also different from 9-11. relationships at every level, from friends and family up to international Similar in that I had the eerie diplomacy. For me that means... feeling that the world is teetering on the edge of a turning point, • Live towards the future we and what happens next might hope for – we won’t ever ar- significantly shape the world we rive at the Kingdom of God, live in for the coming years. It’s by means that aren’t consis- very different in that the events tent with it. We can’t impose of 9-11 took the world by surprise, and the USA and others responded peace through violence. Hate to events that had already hap- creates enemies, it doesn’t pened. We have seen that re- eradicate them. If we want an taliation against actions already outcome that is “good” in any taken can be brutal and way out way, our strategy must some- of proportion, and create long-term how embody Paul’s instruction complications and conflict. to “overcome evil with good.”

9 10 • Keep it in perspective – this • who is marginalised or part of heightened threat of terrorism a threatened minority? The guy is to be taken seriously, but let who runs the local kebab shop? us not forget that each day far The woman wearing hijab at more people are dying of poverty the park with her kids? Ask if -related causes, or surviving in they feel safe, invite them for sex-slavery or forced-labour, a meal, give them your mobile than have been affected by number, help them feel connected Islamic State violence thus far. and accepted. • Listen and learn – uncertainty and threats make people afraid Good relationships, like good and prone to self-protection, hate bridges, take time and skill to and retaliation. That includes you build and maintain, but offer us and me. Let’s acknowledge fear opportunities to cross the walls rather than ignoring it – listen to and chasms that separate us. each others’ thoughts and A long-term strategy to a bet- feelings and learn more about ter world of sustainability, peace the issues from both sides. Engage and justice boils down to this: empathetically with self and others, rather than polarisation and frag- and engage rational understand- mentation, we need mutuality ing and thinking about the and connectedness. Take oppor- issues. Take James’ advice to tunities to build relationships with be “quick to listen, slow to speak people who are not like yourself, and slow to become angry.” across the divides of economic class, religious affiliation, national • Participate in public process- and ethnic identity. Build those es – join in peaceful rallies, bridges and walk across them write letters to the editor, put something on your blog, visit – don’t drive across them in ar- your political representatives. moured cars (impregnable self- Use the avenues available to defence) or armed tanks (ready you to speak up for peace and to attack). When every Christian tolerance, and to promote has a close friend who is Muslim, creative long-term solu- and every illiterate unemployed tions to injustice and violence. person has a close friend who is a wealthy professional, a lot of the • Protect the vulnerable – is there world’s problems will seem more someone in your neighbourhood solvable. //

9 10 the (un)Heroism of NON VIOLENCE by Jason Wood, Vancouver

Nonviolence is one of those words mind, it’s something risky and that gets my blood going. daring – heroic, really. But lately I’ve been realizing that perception is a When I hear it, I see images from bit of a two-edged sword, if you’ll the movie Gandhi – legions of saty- pardon my militant metaphor… agrahis marching on a salt refinery in India, brutally clubbed down by On the one hand, that’s what first guards yet continuing to press drew me to nonviolence. Raised forward in disciplined non-resis- in a conservative Christian home, tance. Or I think of the Berrigan I began really personalizing my brothers, stealing into an American Christian faith during the years be- military base and damaging nuclear tween 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq. warheads to enact the words of the Among other things, I started wres- Hebrew prophets to “turn swords tling with Jesus’ command to love into plowshares.” Usually in my our enemies. The US, where I lived

11 12 at the time, was bombing people It can be a lot easier to imagine on the other side of the world as myself head-to-head with the po part of the so-called ”war on ter- lice, defending against climate- ror,” and I couldn’t reconcile that wrecking fossil fuel infrastructure, with my growing understanding than to dedicate myself to the of Jesus. But I heard nothing at many small sacrifices nonviolence church about this. In fact, many requires. The sacrifice of frustrated of my friends and elders there dreams so I can embrace the real- seemed to be largely supportive ity around me. The sacrifice of of the government’s policies, being “right” so I can listen to my making little distinction between wife. The sacrifice of stereotypes an American and a Christian of others and of myself. Recently agenda. Something was amiss. someone vandalized ventilation fans for the greenhouses at work; Yet as I wrestled with this re- fans we’d waited years to buy. I markable contradiction over the was pretty sure I knew who did coming years, I was blessed to it. I wanted to see myself as the have friends who had been hero, creatively and non-violently involved in the military. Though calling the guilty party to account. we disagreed on much, these But truthfully, I was hurt and angry. friends revealed discipline and cour- I realized that even a pursuit of age. They had a desire to sacrifice my own heroism ideal could be a their lives to make a better world. type of emotional violence, denying Their lives challenged me my own pain and preventing the that simply “not fighting” is not possibility of real forgiveness and enough. We have to be bold for healing. peace. We have to be disciplined. And we must be ready to pay the So here I am, captivated yet convicted same price for peace that soldiers by nonviolence. I pray often for pay for war: our lives. Figures like courage to get in the way of Gandhi or the Berrigans were living injustice and oppression, but proof for me that such a sacrificial more and more I pray also for stand is possible. Love is a more courage to recognize and uproot daring way. their seeds within myself. Perhaps this is in fact the hardest work of Where I get hung up is this, though: all – to become people who embody non violence isn’t always so grand. peace. // 11 12 women in this environment intensified my animosity.

The first two times I spent the night in the red lights, I vacillated that might give me an excuse to Loving act out physically against such our enemies men. I even came up with a plan to take a camera and get pictures by Jonathan H of all the guys I saw, to be posted on the Internet and viewed by wives, girlfriends, coworkers and fellow churchgoers. These ideas Therefore you are inexcusable, were not Christ-like and they did O man, whoever you are who not make me feel better, but I judge, for in whatever you judge didn’t know how to deal with what another you condemn yourself; I was seeing. for you who judge practice the The issue came to a head on my same things. - Romans 2:1 third night on the streets, while we were standing outside of an NGO’s office waiting for the women inside (a mix of NGO staff and The most difficult aspect of my women who were working on the service in Bangkok’s red-light streets) to finish their meeting. An districts involved my feelings towards intoxicated Englishman stumbled the white foreigners who fill those up to the window I was sitting in streets. It was easy for me to front of and began peering in at make assumptions about these the women through a gap in the foreign men and what they were curtain. I told him that he needed doing there. The books I’d read to leave. He looked at me dismissively dealing with human trafficking and and continued leaning over me, the abuses committed against trying to look in. I got really angry. for her when she realized the pain the men themselves had been I stood up to my full height and through in order to end up looking said in the most intimidating for relationship in a place like this. voice I could muster, “You need She saw that in many cases these to leave now.” He again refused, men too had emotional scars, and it was clear that my attempt many of them also had a history to intimidate him had only turned that involved being a victim, and the situation into a battle of egos. she began to be able to love them I was taller than him, but he was as more broken people who had heftier and full of the confidence found themselves in a broken of alcohol. So as I leaned forward place. and continued to demand that he remove himself, he pushed his I am learning to view men like chest into me and stated that he these with compassion and love had more right to be there than I rather than hate. Part of the did. It became obvious that both reason for this is simple truth - of us wanted the encounter to many of my assumptions were turn physical, and were only waiting false. Not every man I saw was for the other one to throw the first looking to buy someone, and not punch so that we’d have a “legiti- every couple was the result of a mate excuse” for our violence. financial transaction. Some of the foreigners may even have been My coworker tried to get involved, on Bangkok’s streets for the same but the man just spewed venom- reasons that my wife and I were. ous language at her that was But even for those men who do worse than anything he’d said engage in the abuses I hate so to me. The stalemate didn’t end much, anger and desire for violent until the Thai woman who ran the confrontation aren’t the solution. bar next door came outside and There is a brokenness in these plac- gently coaxed the man back into es that I only understand in part, her bar. but God sees in full. He knows how these men are hurting, he Nothing was gained by the knows the pain that drives them to encounter. seek love and acceptance and con- trol in places like Bangkok, and After that incident I began He desires for them to live a fuller seeking advice regarding my life. If I could see them with His feelings towards the men I was eyes, I would see wounded souls encountering in these dark made in the image of God, and places. The most significant I would see the potential for so words came from a friend of mine much more than the gutters they who had been serving women are dragging themselves through. there for several years. She told me that her feelings had been If I could look at these men much like mine in the begin- through God’s eyes, I would also ning. The shift had occurred see much more of myself than I realize. I have my own broken- lonely and the oppressed, ness, and I’ve acted it out in my not with fear and despair, own sinful ways. It is easier than not with feelings of guilt and I want it to be for me to imagine helplessness, other paths that could have led not with anger and revolt, me to the red lights. And if I had I not with theories and precon- gone down that route, it would not ceived solutions, have been hateful stares and verbal but with a new and deeper confrontation that broughme to peace and love and hope. God’s truth, but the kind of com- passion that envelops its target in And he will reveal to you the love and can still say, “Go and sin new meaning no more.” of pain and darkness; how joy springs Lord, I know you love the men on from the wounds of broken- those streets with every bit of the ness. intensity that you love the children He will reveal to you we spent time with, the women that he is hidden in suffering there, and those of us the poor, the weak, the lonely who call you Savior. I know you and the oppressed. desire to forgive them of every bit as much sin as you’ve forgiven He will reveal to you the way me. Give me eyes to see and a to refind, heart to love in the same manner rebuild, renew and receive that you do, and through your the relationship of gentle love love may they one day be able and fidelity to see themselves as children of that is at the origin of all exis- the most high God and know the tence. women in their lives as the same. It will be revealed as a tiny seed These pages are to tell you, but one from which can grow my brother, my sister, new life for the world. not to run away from people who are in pain Let us walk together along this or who are broken, path but to walk towards them, with our sisters and brothers to touch them. in this broken world of ours. Then you will find rising up Let us walk together along this within you the well of love, path springing from resurrection.... with Jesus, and discover that it is a path of If you walk with Jesus along hope. // this path, he will lead you - Jean Vanier, introduction to the to the poor, the weak, the Broken Body 15 the JIHAD of kill for your faith’ (Matt.16: 24). Jesus treated the Hebrew Bible, what Christians call the ‘Old Testament,’ as Jesus his authority (Matt 5:17–20). But he by Dave Andrews interpreted the Law according to the Prophets, especially Isaiah, whom he quoted at the start of his ministry An excerpt from an up and coming (Luke 4). Jesus’ devotion to peace- book The Jihad of Jesus written by making was inspired by Isaiah’s vision Dave Andrews published by Wipf & for peace. Jesus knew by heart “how Stock beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, Jesus of Nazareth, whom we know who proclaim peace” (Is. 52:7). He as Jesus the ‘Masih,’ ‘Messiah’ knew a bringer of good news would or the ‘Christ,’ demonstrates a life be strong-but-gentle, he “will not of radical, non-violent, sacrificial shout or cry out, or raise his voice in compassion as the only way of life the streets – a bruised reed he will that can save us from destroying not break and a smoldering wick he ourselves and our societies. will not quench” (Is.42:2). The hope he had for his people was that: “no Many Christians, Muslims and Jews longer w(ould) violence be heard use the retaliation advocated in the in your land, nor ruin or destruction Hebrew Bible to justify their eye- within your borders” (Is. 60:18). for-an-eye reactive violence. After all, Moses himself said, “if there is When I asked my dear friend, serious injury, you are to take life Jewish Rabbi, Zalman Kastel, what for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth” he personally found most confronting (Exod. 21:23–4). But as Mahatma in the teaching of Jesus, he quickly Gandhi has been often reported to replied, without any hesitation, that have famously said: “An eye-for-eye it was his commitment to unflinching and tooth-for-tooth would lead to a nonviolence in the face of violence, world of the blind and toothless.” which was based on his commit- ment to love everyone – friend Thus Jesus argued for a totally and foe alike – with no exceptions. different approach to that taken Jesus said, “But to you who are listening in the Mosaic law. Jesus explicitly, I say, Love your enemies, do good to specifically and repeatedly contra- those who hate you, bless those who dicted the Mosaic law that legitimated curse you, pray for those who ill-use retaliation. He said: “You have heard you. To him who strikes you on one that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and cheek offer the other cheek also. If tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do anyone takes away your cloak, do not resist (or retaliate against) an evil not stop him taking your tunic, too. person. If someone strikes you on Give to everyone who asks you; if the right cheek, turn to him the other anyone takes away your belongings, also” (Matt. 5:38–9). Jesus told his do not demand them back again. As disciples ‘you should always be you would like men to act towards 15 ready to die for your faith, but never you, so do you act towards them. If you love those who love you, what person; it means that no matter special grace is there in that? Even what that person does to us we sinners love those who love them. will never allow ourselves to If you are kind to those who are desire anything but his highest kind to you, what special grace good; and we will deliberately and is there in that? Even sinners love of set purpose go out of our way to those who love them. If you are be good and kind to (them). This is kind to those who are kind to you, most suggestive. We cannot love what special grace is there in that? our enemies as we love our nearest Even sinners do that. If you lend to and dearest. To do so would be those from whom you wish to get, unnatural, impossible and even what special grace is in that? Even wrong. But we can see to it that, sinners lend to sinners in order to no matter what a (person) does to get as much back again. But you us, even if he (or she) insults, must love your enemies; and do ill-treats and injures us, we will good to them; and lend with no seek nothing but (their) highest hope of getting anything in return. good.” Your reward will be great and you will be the sons of the Most High, This passage has in it two great because he is kind both to the facts about the ethos of Jesus. thankless and to the wicked. Be merciful as your Father in heaven Firstly, the ethos of Jesus is posi- is merciful” (Luke 6:27-38). tive. It does not consist in not doing things but in doing them. The famous Scottish theologian, Jesus gave us the Golden Rule William Barclay, wrote: “There is which bids us do to others as we no commandment of Jesus which would have them do to us. That has caused so much discussion rule exists in many writers of many and debate as the command- creeds in its negative form. Hillel, ment to love our enemies. Before one of the great Jewish Rabbis, we can obey it we must discover was asked by a man to teach him what it means. In Greek there are the whole law while he stood on three words for ‘to love.’ There is one leg. He answered, “What is eran, which describes passionate hateful to thee, do not to another. love, the love of a man for a maid. That is the whole law and all else There is philein, which describes is explanation.” Philo, the great our love for our nearest and Jew of Alexandria, said, “What you dearest, the warm affection of the hate to suffer, do not do to anyone heart. Neither of these two words else.” Socrates, the Greek orator, is used here; the word used here said. “What things make you angry is agapan, which needs a whole when you suffer them at the hands paragraph to translate it. of others, do not you do to other people.” Every one of these forms Agapan describes an active feeling is negative. It is not unduly difficult of benevolence towards the other to keep yourself from such action; 17 18

but it is a very different thing to go the word ‘Lamb’ is used to describe out of your way to do to others what the kind of ‘Man’ he was. He was you would want them to do to you. a ‘Lamb’ of a ‘Man’ – pure, simple The very essence of the ethics and peaceable – not deceitful, of Jesus is that it consists, not in duplicitous and dangerous like a refraining from bad things, but in actively wolf in sheep’s clothing. doing good things. Jesus, the ‘Lamb of God,’ sought to Secondly, the ethos of Jesus is develop grassroots communities of based on (doing) the extra thing. ‘flocks of sheep’ (John 10:11–16). Jesus described the common ways ‘Sheep’ was a seemingly innocu- of sensible conduct and then dis- ous, but essentially counter-cultural missed them with the question, term, that Jesus used to describe people who lived with ‘wolves’ – “What special grace is in that?” So who preyed on other people – but, often people claim to be just as who refused to become wolves good as their neighbours. Very likely themselves – even if it meant that they are. But the question of Jesus the wolves might rip the flock to is, “How much better are you than pieces because of their refusal to the ordinary person?” It is not our join the pack and prey on others. neighbour with whom we must compare ourselves; we may well stand that “I want you to live your lives as comparison very adequately; it is sheep, even in the midst of wolves,” God with whom we must compare said Jesus. “Be shrewd. But always ourselves; and in that comparison be harmless” (Matt. 10:16). “Always we are all in default. treat other people as you would like them to treat you,” he said (Matt. What is the reason for this ethos? 7:12). “Even do good to those who As far as Jesus was concerned “the do evil to you. Love those who hate reason is it makes us like God, for you and bless those who curse you” that is the way he acts. God sends (Matt. 5:44). “Don’t ever be afraid” his rain on the just and the unjust. he said to his flocks, “of those who He is kind to the person who brings can kill the body, but can’t kill your him joy and equally kind to the person soul” (Matt. 10:28). who grieves his heart. God’s love embraces saint and sinner alike. And Jesus, “the Lamb of God,” It is that love we must copy; if we, practiced what he preached. He may have been “the light of the world.” too, seek even our enemy’s highest But the world didn’t want him. “The good we will in truth be the children people loved the darkness rather of God.” [i] than the light; because their deeds were evil, and they didn’t want any- John the Baptist introduced Jesus body to expose them.” [ii] So the at the beginning of his ministry as people decided to ‘scapegoat’ him. the “Lamb of God who takes away And, as Jesus predicted, they eventually the sin of the world” (John 1:29). We ‘seized’ him, and he allowed them know the word ‘Lamb’ is not meant to lead him away like a ‘sacri- to be taken literally. After all Jesus ficial lamb’ and ‘slaughter’ him.[iii] was a ‘Man’ not a ‘Lamb’. However, 17 18

Jesus said: “Greater love has no one message.’ He was the supreme WE IN SERVANTS ARE COMMITTED than this, that he lay down his life for example he left. He was the love to his friends” (John 15:13). The idea of which knows no hatred, the peace Non-Violence someone being willing to sacrifice which knows no restlessness, the & himself on behalf of his friends can salvation which knows no Non-Militarism be as powerful a metaphor in the perishing.” [vi] by Kristin Jack twenty-first century as it was in the first century. There is much about Mahatma Gandhi said, “The the way the Jews might understand gentle figure of Christ - so patient, this metaphor that non-Jews find so kind, so loving, so full of forgive- difficult to understand. But the idea ness that he taught his followers not that Jesus was willing to ‘sacrifice’ to retaliate when struck, but to turn his life for his friends is a power- the other cheek - was a beautiful ful story. That even now, touches example of the perfect person.” people with love, in the deep, dark, [vii] Jesus, the “martyr, was an hidden recesses of their soul, where embodiment of sacrifice,” and the they feel most abandoned and most cross “a great example of suffer- alone. ing.” [viii] “Jesus lost his life on the cross.” But Jesus didn’t lose the Gale Webbe, in The Night and Noth- battle. “Jesus won. As the world’s ing, said, “There are many ways to history has abundantly shown.” deal with evil. All of them are facets And, consequently, “the example of the truth that the only ultimate way of Christ is a crucial factor in the to conquer evil is to let it be smoth- composition of my underlying faith ered within a willing, living, human in nonviolence - which rules all my being. When it is absorbed there, actions.” [ix] And it should rule all like a spear into one’s heart, it loses our actions too. // its power and goes no further.” [iv] As Scott Peck says in The People Of [i] W. Barclay. Daily Study Bible The Lie, “The healing of evil can only – Luke 6 http://www.studylight. be accomplished by love. A willing org/commentaries/dsb/view. sacrifice is required. The healer must cgi?bk=41&ch=6 sacrificially absorb the evil.” [v] On [ii] John 3:19-20 the cross Jesus absorbed the evil. [iii] Math. 20:17-19 He took it into his heart as assured- [iv] G.Webbe The Night and Nothing ly as the spear that was thrust into Seabury Press New York 1964 p109 his side. And, it went no further. He [v] S. Peck The People Of The Lie cried out, “Father. Forgive them. For Simon & Schuster New York 1983 they know not what they do” (Luke p269 23:24). There was no reaction. No [vi] Khalid M. K. Ma’an ‘ala-l-Tariq: demand for revenge or retaliation. Muhammad wa-i-Masih Cairo 1958 There was only grace. And so the pp188-9 cycle of violence stopped right there [vii] Gandhi, M. The Message Of Je- and then, with him, forever. sus,: Bharitya Vidya Bhavan Bombay 1971 foreword According to Khalid Muhammad [viii]Gandhi, M Ibid., 7 Khalid, Jesus was the supreme [ix] Gandhi, M Ibid., 7 example. He said Jesus ‘was his 20

WE IN SERVANTS ARE COMMITTED more violent methods), but also to that in those cases where violent Non-Violence revolution does “succeed” in & Non-Militarism changing a system, it is very likely those seizing power will continue to by Kristin Jack use and perpetuate violent means of control, and to be dogged by ongoing attempts at violent over- As we state in our “Commitment throw by others. Regime or to Action and Belief:” political change brought about by non-violent means on the We believe The Way that Jesus other hand, is far more likely to has modeled and taught us is result in a political and civil system a way of humility, forgiveness, that is democratic and non-violent reconciliation and loving service [1]. (Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 23:32-34) and therefore a way that refuses So yes, we in Servants are pas- to employ violence, coercion or sionate about wanting to see the manipulation in pursuing its ends overthrow of unjust systems, and (Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:9- about seeing the poor and oppressed 21; 2 Corinthians 2:17, 4:1-3, liberated in the way that the gospel 5:11). We repudiate violence and envisages (Luke 1:51 – 53 and militarism as works of the Evil One 4:18-19), but we are determined that destroy life and steal resources to see that happen by the Spirit from the poor. Instead, we believe of Jesus, using the way of Jesus, that Jesus calls us to follow his following the words of Jesus. We way of peace-making and reconciliation, are also pragmatic and practical and so bear prophetic witness to enough to want to use strategies his coming Kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-5, and methods that actually work, 9:2-7; Matthew 5:7-9,5:16, 5:21- and increasingly the evidence is 25, 5:43-48, 6:14-15). emerging that Non-Violence has far greater effectiveness (and far As you see, our most obvious reason less cost) in terms of bringing for making this commitment is about change – changed hearts, because Jesus taught it as an changed communities, changed essential part of what it means to social systems – than violence follow him (Matt. Ch. 5), and he has ever had. // modeled it in his own non-violent response to his enemies (e.g. Matthew 26:52). [1] See the research article ‘Why Civil Disobedience Works’, by Stephan But there are also good, pragmatic and Chenoweth, International Security, and strategic reasons. Hard-nosed Vol 33, No. 1, 2008. See also the research by conflict scholars reveals documentary and book series ‘A that political or social change Force More Powerful’. pursued through non-violent Kristin has copies of the Stephan/ means is not only more likely to Chenoweth article if anyone would succeed (when compared with like to read it. 20

GROWING A paediatrician explores Jesus’ invitation to “become like a little UP child” by Peter Sidebotham to be a Child

This book, written by a consultant paediatrician, offers unique perspectives on child development and parenting, and on Christian life and discipleship. In it, the author interweaves his own professional observations and understanding of the processes of child development with a very personal engagement with his daughter as she grows, reflections on his role as a father, and on his own journey of faith.

Peter Sidebotham, who will be known to many in Servants, looks at a child’s development from the point of view of the Shema prayer: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He uses that as a basis to explore what it might mean for Christian disciples to “become like a little child.”

“A beautiful and worthy book. Readers will find this a delight to read.” Scott Bessenecker, Associate Director of Missions, IVCF

“The personal nature of the book is a winner. It is generous and inclusive. A lovely book.” Elaine Storkey, President of Tear Fund

“A beautiful account of a father’s love for his daughter, weaving the spiritual, personal and professional into a testimony of God’s abundant gift of life in all its fullness: moving and inspiring.” Keith Sinclair, Bishop of ‘ Birkenhead

Available in print and e-book formats. You can buy Growing up to be a child at: Your local Christian bookshop, or online at www.westbowpress.com or your preferred online retailer. ISBN: 978-1-4908-4067-3 (soft cover) 978-1-4908-4068-0 (hard cover) 978-1-4908-4066-6 (e-book)

21 GROWING UP to be a Child

INTERNSHIPS LONG TERM OPPORTUNITIES

An internship with Servants is So, you’ve heard about Servants, probably quite different to any and our vision, values and princi- other short term mission exposure ples resonate with you. If you are you have experienced before. This interested in exploring the possibility is because the emphasis is not so of serving overseas with a Servants much on what you do but on what team, contact us early on so we can you learn. The intention is that for be in conversation with you as you a few weeks or months, living with discern God’s will for your life. We a local family in a poor community, are happy to answer any questions you you will make a deep connection might have as you consider applying. with the urban poor and allow God Servants currently has opportuni- to open up a space in you to hear ties to serve as part of teams in him afresh. This will occur not in a Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Manila, quiet garden or at the beach, but London, Lucknow, Vancouver, and in a noisy, vibrant, cramped slum. the emerging Myanmar team. Servants accepts a small number of people each year for internships in Cambodia, Manila, Kolkata, Jakarta, London and Vancouver. Contact your local Servants office for more information.

21 Servants Canada Chinatown PO Box 88195 Vancouver, B.C. V6A4A5 Tel: 604 288 1424 [email protected] Servants USA Servants UK 133 N. Friendswood Drive, 78 Yeolands Drive PMB 343 Clevedon Friendswood, TX Avon, BS21 7XL 77546. USA [email protected] Tel: 1 800 605 4630 [email protected] Servants Australia PO Box 259 Red Hill Servants New Zealand Brisbane PO Box 6382 Australia 4059 Dunedin 9059 Tel: +61 7 3367 3802 Tel: 0800 580 547 [email protected] [email protected]