Response to Islamic Terrorism?

How do we respond to these Islamic terrorists that bombed London this morning? The same was asked in 2001 when the United States was racked by Islamic terrorism. No matter the situation, the response must be the same: do not fight.

I am a pacifist. I detest war; but so do the vast majority of people. But my pacifism was created by Scripture, not my opinions about what is going on in the world. Being a pacifist does not mean you go and hold a sign on the street saying, "Heck no we won't go." Being a pacifist does not mean you go spouting off ignorant statements about the President, the government and the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. A pacifist does not retaliate when he or she is attacked. A pacifist does not repay evil with evil. A Christian pacifist endures persecution and attack knowing that God gives them strength, and will use their testimony for the good of His kingdom.

Please understand this important note: I do not mean to belittle or ridicule the men and women who are in the military, and are even now fighting and unfortunately dying in Iraq, Afghanistan and the many other nations around the world where US military personnel are stationed. We are all humans, created by God, and we all make choices. While I do not agree with a Christian's choice to join the military, that is still their choice and I must respect that. I also must respect the family members and other loved ones involved, no matter whether they agree or disagree. I love my neighbor. Out of this same love, however, I must speak my convictions. I cannot condone that which I find is contrary to the command and teachings of Christ and Scripture. I hope this serves to provoke thought and a better understanding of the teachings of Christ.

War is the prerogative and tool of government. There is no mandate for Christians to be in the military, or to show patriotism by supporting the war efforts of either the country you live in or any other. Christians are citizens of Heaven, not Earth; here we are merely aliens. Our allegiance cannot be to Christ and to man, especially a government controlled by man. If you claim Christ as your Lord, how can you then leave the control of your life to man?

Specifically, how are we supposed to respond to our enemies when they attack? Christ gave us this command: show them love (Mt. v.44). He was very clear, and these words cannot be played with. Love your enemies. No matter how evil, how vile, how cruel: show them love. When did Christ say, "Give them what for. They attacked you; you go attack them because it is now justified. An eye for an eye." Never. In fact, here is what Christ said about the eye for an eye:

You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (Mt. v.38-46)

"Do not resist the one who is evil . . . Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Those were the commands Christ gave us, His followers. If you repay evil for evil, do wrong for a wrong done, what does that make you?

A pastor in Clinton, MA said the following in one of his sermons:

When reasonable efforts at peace have failed, war is the most loving thing to do. War is love for one's neighbor.

That is admittedly not based on Scripture, but on a treatise written by Martin Luther in the sixteenth century. War is love? How disgusted Christ must have been when he heard one of His shepherds say that. This pastor went on to speak a little on the Matthew passage I quoted.

Doesn't this contradict Jesus teaching that we should "turn the other cheek" and "not resist the one who is evil" (Mt 5:39)? Not at all. In that passage, as in all of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is speaking to individual Christians. He is telling them that if they themselves have been wronged or are threatened, and only they have suffered harm or injustice, they should be willing to suffer the wrong and not seek vengeance. If, however, their neighbor has been attacked or wronged, love demands that they fight on their neighbor’s behalf to protect and help them – the very thing that a just war does.

I think you will agree with me that this is an example of poor exegesis; in fact this is eisegesis. Do you see the contradicting ideas here? If I am attacked by my enemy, I am not to strike back, but am to suffer the wrong. But if my neighbor is attacked by his enemy, I am supposed to resist them, even slay them with the sword. Even if we have the same enemy (Here's a question: is Islam an enemy of Christianity?), as long as we do not join the fight because of a personal attack we are OK. This can turn into quite the convoluted situation.

On the Fox News website, people have written e-mails to show their support for the people of London. Many of the e-mails I saw are from seemingly Christian people. Here is one that grabbed my attention:

My prayers are with all of you in England. You have been our steadfast friends and allies through many, many adversities. Now is the time for all of the civilized nations to stand together against the terrorist PIGS!! We must never, never waiver in our resolve to defeat them, or they win and life as we know it will no longer exist. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

So, indeed, the battle is ours to fight, is it? Unless we resist the enemy, "life as we know it will no longer exist." I understand that people tend to allow their emotions to energize what they want to say; and this is an emotional time. Yet, these words are exemplary of what a majority of Christians believe: the fight is ours, as given to us by God. If we do not fight, who will? People tend to forget that the Lord of all is still Lord over all. The fight is His.

I am reminded yet again of the words of Michael Sattler in his trial:

If the Turks should come, we ought not to resist them; for it is written: Thou shalt not kill. We must not defend ourselves against the Turks and others of our persecutors, but are to beseech God with earnest prayer to repel and resist them. But that I said, that if warring were right, I would rather take the field against the so-called Christians, who persecute, apprehend and kill pious Christians, than against the Turks,was for this reason: The Turk is a true Turk, knows nothing of the Christian faith; and is a Turk after the flesh; but you, who would be Christians, and who make your boast of Christ, persecute the pious witnesses of Christ, and are Turks after the spirit.

Listen here to the clip from the movie The Radicals. I know that I have been referencing that movie and the life and teachings of Michael Sattler a lot lately; but until I can be shown that what is taught or said is contrary to Scripture, then I would ask you to listen and think about what is said.

Click here for the clip: Michael Sattler on trial.

Those who call themselves Christian must listen to and follow the words of Christ, our Lord. We must not resist evil. We must not show hatred towards those who hate, or anger and revenge towards those who let their anger and vile control them. Search the Scriptures for yourself. If I am wrong, then please show me from the Scriptures. Do not allow yourselves to be caught up in the dealings on nations and governments, but in the commission to go and make disciples.

We do pray for those families in London effected by what happened. God can give His people the strength they need. God can also use a situation like this for good. We need to trust in Him, and to seek His will. I was in San Diego, CA when the planes hit the World Trade Center buildings. I watched on T.V. as the buildings fell. I felt the sadness then that I do now for London. But just as back then, God will judge. We must pray.