I’m an Unrealistic Peace-Loving Utopian Idealistby
Bill Barnwell
Every time I write a column on the war issue I get a bunch of emails from people telling me that I’m ignorant to the "real world" and that I’m caught up in hopeless "utopian idealism." This was also the case the other day when I demonstrated from Scripture and church tradition that war should only be an absolute last resort under very strict conditions. I further proved from Scripture that Christians ought to be striving for peace and to reflect Christ-like lives, not pounding the drums for war. Some Christians, however, did not like this crazy talk at all and accused me of a litany of errors in my reasoning, most notably that I was being an unrealistic utopian. There are some problems with these accusations. Nowhere in these critical messages did any of these fellow Christians try and dispute my exegetical analysis. They just asserted that I didn’t know what I was talking about and then they would usually launch into some tirade about how I hated America, freedom, the Jewish people, etc., etc. Others would go on about the need for sacrifice and the "realities" of the 21st century. Apparently the only reality they can fathom is a very pessimistic one where the ethics and ideals of Christ are incapable of rising above the values and ethics of this world. Why do they have such a hard time with Christian teachings against violence? They claim that in the "real world" violence and war are always going to be around and that force will always be necessary in different situations. Now I think everybody will agree that the world will never be perfect and that it is unlikely that the worldly man will learn to love his neighbor as himself. But shouldn’t Christians be rising above the ways and habits of this world? Is it really impossible? If Christian ethics on peace are really unrealistic and pie in the sky ideals that can never be reached, why did Christ bother to even give his teachings? Also if we’re going to apply this ho-hum standard to Christ’s teachings in this area, why not do it in others as well? Let me demonstrate how dangerous this can be. Think about it. The New Testament is full of very difficult teachings. Don’t even lust after a woman in your heart? (Matt. 5:28) Oh come on! Is that really possible? Christ must understand that we men have strong sex drives and it’s only natural that we are going to lust and fantasize once in while. No big deal. And does a little looking here and there really hurt anybody? Give me a break, everyone does that. Loosen up, Jesus! Also, love your enemies? Pray for your persecutors! (Matt. 5:43–44). Like, whatever. That’s crazy! Surely Jesus must have not been thinking clearly when he made those statements. He must not have understood how hurtful some people can be. Jesus is being very unrealistic here. It’s not natural for me to love my enemies! The reality, Jesus, is that it is impossible to pray for these evil people and for people who have hurt me. And have you read Luke 14:25–35 about the cost of being a disciple? Look at the crazy stuff in there. Love God more than my family? Love God more than I love myself?! Take up my cross daily? Possibly give up everything to follow Jesus! That’s hard, how can anybody live up to that? Apparently this is just not for people today. It’s not realistic. It’s nothing but utopian idealism. Right? Wrong. If I taught this way I’d rightfully be ran out of my church. To my war-happy Christian critics who accuse me of being a utopian idealist, how would you like it if your pastor condoned fornication because Biblical teachings on purity are "unrealistic" (which is what basically all non-Christians would say)? You’d probably go nuts. You’d accuse the pastor of not fully trusting God and lessening his standards on Biblical truth. You’d be right. So if it’s wrong to doubt God and dilute truth on sexual matters, why is it OK to do so with teachings regarding peace, revenge, love, etc.? While it’s OK and very appropriate to talk about how difficult reaching certain ideals can be and to show compassion and understanding for those who struggle in certain areas, it makes no sense to just discard these teachings as unattainable and unrealistic. I know in my own life there have been many challenging things about the Christian life that are not possible outside of God’s strength and provision. When we say it’s impossible for Christians to promote a Christ-like approach to war and violence we are simply denying the power of God and saying that His teachings are not relevant for today. That would be a heresy on any other issue. Regarding the objection, "But not everybody is a Christian! Violence and war is the way the world is! Deal with it!" Last I checked, Christians were not supposed to follow the ways of this world (I Jn. 2:15–17). That means rejecting and not taking part in the evils of society. To condone evil, or actively tolerate evil because "this is just the way the world is" is to reject Christ’s instructions to be a "salt and light" to the world (Matt. 4:13–16). Part of being a Christian is rising above worldly standards and actually being different, actually setting an example. The old excuse that "everybody else is doing it" is not acceptable to Biblical standards. When Christians say that war, destruction, mayhem and other various evils are just an unavoidable part of life, they are saying that the world and Satan has won. They are saying that evil must always overpower good and that with Christ all things are NOT possible. Rather than relying on all the "realism" talk, I’ll instead heed the words of Christ who said, "With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26). He was addressing a different issue when He made that statement, but it applies to our present discussion as well. Do you, Christian, really believe that all things are possible with God? Why then have you resigned yourself to a hopeless vision of defeat and fatalism for your own life and your influence as a Christian?
December 9, 2004 Bill Barnwell [send him mail] is a pastor in Flushing, Michigan. He spent most of his undergraduate college career studying politics and government before feeling called to the ministry. He has completed a Master of Ministries degree and is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree at Bethel College in Mishawka, Indiana. Copyright © 2004 LewRockwell.com |
Yes,
we live in a fallen world. Yes, there will always be sin and will
probably always be war. But Christians are supposed to do the very
best they can to rise above the evil inclinations of the flesh and
the evil ways of this world. If I’m a utopian idealist for believing
and encouraging that Christians should actually strive to meet Biblical
standards then so be it. I’d rather be a utopian idealist who takes
the words of Christ seriously than a hard-headed "realist"
whose version of reality denies the power of God.