I had not heard the name “Charlie Kirk” until last week. His assassination during a public debate in Utah has yet again brought the tragic realities of political violence into the spotlight. The rise of acrimonious debate, of personal denunciations made from entrenched positions and physical violence are, however, not uniquely American. Hateful and aggressive commentary fills our social media feeds blocking curiosity, learning and, vitally, the opportunity to change. Charlie Kirk, despite having some views I would personally take issue with, can be appreciated for his commitment to talk personally and directly with those he disagreed with. Here, indeed is a reminder of how important it is that we come out from behind our keyboards and screens, eyeball our enemies, engage our detractors and simply converse with real humans!
The clearest sign of faithfulness to Jesus is love. Not the insipid, easy agreement with my tribe but love for our enemies: Love that treats our opponents not as obstacles to be overcome, nor objects of retaliatory violence or cancellation but human beings made in the image of God.
After all, at the centre point of history, is the cross. The place where God in Christ loved us, his enemies, and gave himself for us, his opponents.
The algorithms of online media and the angst of contemporary culture ramp up our reactive hormones and we fire off a comment or make a snide remark. So, it’s vital that we learn to slow up, breath and take time to make considered and constructive responses. Christians today are called to turn rhetorical swords into relational ploughshares. Of course this does not require agreeing with the loudest, most aggressive voice but means changing the tone of debate to respectful and gracious conversation.
“Good luck with that” I hear you say!
In the light of billion-dollar media behemoths and massive cultural movements the weapons of the warfare of love and respect are puny. Yet Christians believe that the most powerful act in the world was achieved by a man, bleeding out, in pain, under the curse of death on an empires most brutal form of execution. Actions don’t come weaker or more powerless than that. Perhaps small acts and words of love can change the world after all?
This belief that leaking little drops of grace into every interaction can make a world of a difference was reinforced for me recently reading this reflection from Jim Gordon a retired Baptist pastor and theologian.
“I believe there is a grace in the drip, drip process of speaking grace, seeking peace, curating truthfulness, practising agape, enacting neighbourliness and humility in what we say and how we behave.
That’s why we bear witness and keep on saying, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it”.
That seems to me a way of protesting against violence from a foundation of hope in Christ the Light.
Bearing witness to Christ, sharing the gospel, is hope for a polarised world. In it is power to change people, reconcile communities, and break the power of death and violence.
The good news message shared is God’s power in action
“The gospel is… the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” Rom 1:16
So please consider joining us on Saturday when along with Greg Downes we will be exploring how this good news can be best expressed in a culture which is opening up to faith and yet is also facing massive issues.
There will be facility for registering at the door, on the day (but you will have to fund your own lunch!)
Greg is an anointed evangelist and an experienced and engaging speaker, and he will be with us in Sunday morning. His message will be aimed both at Christian and non-believers so it would be a great morning to bring friends along.
Resisting the trends of aggression and believing in the power of the gospel means going against the flow of much of our culture and for that we need courage, conviction and a deepening trust in Christ.
Harry Emerson Fosdick puts this into words for us in his hymn of intercession.
Cure your children’s warring madness;
Bend our pride to your control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.
Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore;
Let the gift of your salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Iain