Anti-Christian Jeans? (March, 2006)

What I appreciated:

• Jay's perspective in answering Cheap Monday jeans' owner Bjorn Atldax's "popular if banal observation about the history of Christianity. It shows an ignorance of both history and Christianity," as Jay then points out.


• "...a careful examination of these [supposedly Christian] wars would suggest they are sprked less by piety and more by overweening ambitions, ethnic hatreds, commercial greed, and (especially) nationalistic arrogance."


• "Rene Girard suggests that Christianity has made it much more difficult to justify war. By challenging the tendency of nations and peoples to scapegoat their enemies, by commanding them to see their enemies as human beings, Christianity forced previously unimaginable reflections on "just war." ... On the cross Christ stood in for every sufferer, every slave, every one oppressed and degraded simply because their side lost."


• "Have Christians failed to attend to and follow the teachings of Christ? Tragically yes. But there would be no end of slavery, or no declarations on human rights, or debates about the justness of war were there no Christianity."


• "But the Christian faith is not to be tamed or controlled by any king or president, by any nation state or empire."

*****

Jay writes:

Have Christians failed to attend to and follow the teachings of Christ? Tragically yes. But there would be no end of slavery, or no declarations on human rights, or debates about the justness of war were there no Christianity.

I agree. I wish slavery never existed, and I'm glad and proud that it has been abolished here in the US, even at the terrible cost of our Civil War. Slavery still exists in parts of the world, and I would love to see it abolished everywhere.

But, honestly, the Bible doesn't condemn slavery as clearly as I wish it would. I wish it would say "the entire institution of slavery is wrong, wicked, evil and must be ended." God delivered the Israelites from slavery. But Leviticus seems to allow it: both implicitly and explicitly (e.g., Leviticus 25:44-46).

In the New Testament, slavery usually has negative connotations (e.g., "slaves to sin"), and Paul says (in 1 Cor. 7), "... if you can gain your freedom, do so. ... do not become slaves of men." But Paul (in Acts 16) interacts with a slave woman without condemning slavery itself. And Ephesians 6 even instructs slaves and masters without commenting on the morality of slavery itself.

Jay's and my opposition to slavery (I believe) is informed by the balance of Scripture, but can't be considered crystal-clear Christian theology either. That leaves it open to the accusation of "nationalistic arrogance" (which I could easily see a Confederate citizen making), or of seeking "political power and social prominence." I don't want to dismiss any accusation too quickly, but I'm pretty sure I'll be sticking to my guns on this one.

But that's the rub. We're faced with many issues to decide, and Scripture often doesn't speak with crystal clarity. On slavery, we generally agree. What about abortion? Crime? National defense? The role of government? Animal rights? Captialism vs. Socialism?

May God use the Scriptures to influence our thinking and rebuke our wrong attitudes. May we carefully evaluate each accusation made. And may we ultimately stand for what's right in the face of the harshest accusers.

*****

Jay writes:

I have a button on the jacket I wear when I go for a walk. It says "Who would Jesus bomb?" That we can and should ask that question reminds us of what our faith stands for and who it is we follow. ... The critique of our faithlessness and failure should make us take notice and live as if Jesus actually meant what he said and as if the gospel were really good news for all people.

I've seen "Who would Jesus bomb?" bumper-stickers. They seem intended more as a slap at Christians than a sincere seeking. I'd like to talk to the owner of one, but haven't had the chance. I appreciate that Jay doesn't stop at the slogan itself.

Jesus said, "Do not resist an evil person." Jesus also said, "if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."

So who would Jesus bomb? These related questions come to mind:

• Would Jesus have allowed the holocaust? What would he have done to stop it?


• Would Jesus, like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, have plotted to assassinate Hitler? Jay cites Bonhoeffer as one who "found the resources to resist confusing Caesar and Christ." That plot did involve a bomb.


• Would Jesus have fought the Civil War? Would he have allowed the Confederate States of America to keep slavery legal even today? If not, what would he have done to stop it?


• Who would Jesus incarcerate? Jesus said he was sent "to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Would Jesus abolish all prisons? (I'm convinced he wouldn't.)

(Update, 3/30: I said, "Slavery still exists in parts of the world..." iAbolish.com gives you the full story.)

Congratulations, Dr. Phelan!

Congratulations to Dr. Phelan on his appointment to executive vice president for academic affairs at North Park.

May God grant Jay a double-measure of His grace in his new role and his new sphere of influence.

From the announcement:

Particular emphasis was placed on selection of a person of unquestioned academic excellence and integrity, an individual with good administrative and interpersonal skills who makes people feel valued and respected, and someone who is a good listener, with the ability to work in a fair and constructive manner to assimilate the thinking of the broad spectrum of North Park's academic personnel. ... Jay is noted for his academic excellence and integrity and he has a successful record of academic leadership in the seminary.