The Spirituality of Nonviolence
Notes from a seminar presented for members and friends of
the Episcopal Peace Fellowship, by the Rev. Dr. John Westerhoff,
on November 4, 2000, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Atlanta
Before Constantine and Justinian established Christianity as the state religion, Christians were persecuted. Within ten years, Christians themselves were persecuting Pagans, Jews, and others.
The language we use shapes us. The church has been using the language of triumphalism since the 3rd Century: "fight the good fight" -- "Onward Christian Soldiers."
A spirituality of nonviolence begins with our image of God. The Theology of Glory (dominant since the 3rd century) contrasts sharply with the Theology of the Cross. Historically, those who have proclaimed the Theology of the Cross (Abelard, Meister Eckhart, etc.) have been labeled as heretics.
In the Theology of Glory, God = might: "the Almighty."
In the Theology of the Cross, God is seen as suffering, vulnerable; God as victim: the "suffering servant."
The Theology of Glory teaches the power of might.
The Theology of the Cross teaches a power the world labels weakness: the power of suffering love.
In the Theology of Glory, evil is conquered.
In the Theology of the Cross, evil is diffused, not conquered.
The Theology of Glory emphasizes conquest from without.
The Theology of the Cross emphasizes conquest within (an inner spirituality).
The Theology of Glory emphasizes the victorious Christ (empty cross).
The Theology of the Cross emphasizes the suffering Christ (crucifix).
In the Theology of Glory, the crucifixion effects God (placates God).
In the Theology of the Cross, the crucifixion effects us (draws us back to God).
In the Theology of Glory, God commands us.
In the Theology of the Cross, we cooperate with God.
The Theology of Glory features a "Santa Claus" God (reward and punishment).
The Theology of the Cross features a God who apologized to Noah.
In the Theology of Glory, God's justice is retribution.
In the Theology of the Cross, God's justice is reconciliation.
In the Theology of Glory, God's judgment is to punish.
In the Theology of the Cross, God's judgment is only to draw us back to God.
Christians, Jews, and Moslems tend to focus on the differences and uniquenesses between religions. Hindus and Buddhists tend to focus on similarities between religions. We Christians need Hindus and Buddhists, to balance our triumphalism.
Universalism and particularism are both found in the Bible. God's first covenant (to Noah) was with all humanity and it is still in effect -- precedes God's covenant with the Jews and God's covenant with the Church.
The themes of Advent are the themes of peace.
As we anticipate the Reign of God, we...
--wait expectantly
--wait patiently
--live prepared
--give up control
Character traits of a peaceable person are found in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5):
"Blessed and joyful are..."
Joy and blessedness are the consequences of an ever deepening and loving relationship with God. It describes what it means to abide in the Reign of God.
1. to be poor in spirit:
a person who is aware that we cannot manage or control human life and therefore are totally dependent upon God
2. to mourn:
a reflective person who has a deep sadness for sin and broken relationships with God and each other, and our participation in it
3. to be meek:
a humble person who puts their trust in God's providence and grace -- God's presence with us and God's loving action on our behalf
4. to hunger and thirst for righteousness:
a person whose greatest desire is an ever deepening and loving relationship with God
5. to be merciful:
a forgiving person who understands that justice is for reconciliation, not retribution
6. to be pure in heart:
a person whose motives are as pure as their actions -- a person of integrity
7. to be peacemakers:
a person whose life is devoted to reconciliation -- the restoration of all people with God, themselves, each other, and creation
8. to suffer for righteousness sake:
a person who is willing to pay any price necessary to do the will of God
All violence, all war is sinful. In our humanness and sin we can conceive no alternative.
If we sin, we are to name our sin, accept God's forgiveness, and move on.
Sin is any action that estranges me from my true self, from God, from others, or from God's creation. Sin is about breaking relationship.
"I love you but hate your sin" creates a dualism. A more Christian response is "I love you in spite of your sin."
The character trait we need as peacemakers is patience: neither to run nor to fight, but to be present. "The grace of doing nothing" (a classic article by the pacifist, H. Richard Niebuhr). This requires enormous courage.
We must desire peace more than our own benefit.
God does not call us to be successful but to be faithful.
God does not ask us to make a difference but to live in the difference God is making.
