Thursday, 17 October, 2002

From The Hauerwas Reader



Another hallmark of Christianity is that salvation is not individualistic - it's not something one person receives for himself or herself alone. Salvation is the reign of God. It is a political alternative to the way the world is constituted. That's a very important part of the story that has been lost to accounts of salvation that are centered in the individual. But without an understanding that salvation is the reign of God, the need for the church to mediate salvation makes no sense at all.



The reign of God is a total reign. We see glimpses of its unique and powerful presence in the life of God's people throughout the ages. We say we are able to look at its glory most fully as we look to Jesus. Jesus is not a guru simply bringing inner peace...so that the events of the world do not disturb us. Jesus brings peace to the world...the whole thing...or there is no peace at all. Presently in our country, there is a strong movement within the Christian Right that is urging our country to go to war against Iraq. In that movement there is an arrogance that wants to claim that the U.S. is a Christian nation...a nation needed to clean up & subdue the "pagans" or...even worse...bring about the great and final day through an end time battle. I find such a movement to be antithetical to the reign of God for the military defeat by our country (or others) or the imperialistic presence of one country or a cadre of wealthy countries, does not bring peace as it is envisioned in the reign of God. The reign of God will always be a contrary presence to the ways of the world. We will not be individualistic and secluded away from the world...we will be actively a part of the everyday events of the world. Our presence will be one of peace - mercy - loving kindness - forgiveness - reconciliation...even if flies against the prevailing winds of the powers of the day.



Connection: Speak of peace and let not the self-centered words of war prevail among us. Witnesses to the reign of God must live within a tension that honors the powers of the day but never lets those powers over rule the vision of God's reign. Speak of peace!



Lord of New Life, you have given us many ways to stand tall within our world as a witness to your love for all. Lift our eyes so that we can see the majestic vision of your reign in which you bring all things to a creative new existence within your domain of peace. Amen.