(9) Nine Modest Proposals

Let’s stop talking about the “peace position.” Peace is not aposition. Peace is a way. Peace is a journey we are called towalk. And I’d rather be on a journey, inviting others to walkwith me, than to be at one particular position, and having todefend it. Taking a journey is something you do on the move.Taking a position and defending it is something you dostanding still. Give me the journey, any day.

Nine modest proposals for the journey . . .

1. Let’s immerse ourselves in the whole story of scripture.The Bible has no chapter and verse to tell us how torespond to international terrorism. But we will find reliableguidance as we become familiar with the God of theBible. We Mennonites have our favorite peace texts weturn to. But our convictions on peace are based on thewhole of scripture.

2. Let’s cling to belief in a God whose heart is for all hischildren. God loves people. You can’t get more basic thanthat. God has a deep and abiding affection for all humanbeings, and wants all people to be reconciled—to himselfand to each other. Every person on the face of this earth isGod’s creation. And God desires reconciliation with all of us.

3. Let’s agree not to take God’s job away from God.God is the only Creator and Sustainer of life. God is theonly righteous judge of good and evil. Yet we presume tobe able to determine which human life is worth saving,and which is expendable. To “rid the world of evil” isGod’s agenda, not ours. “Vengeance is mine. I will repay,says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19).

4. Let’s not waver from a commitment to make JesusLord of our lives, and follow his example in life.“What would Jesus do?” is not a bad place to start.Simplistic? Maybe, and it doesn’t answer every question.But can we picture Jesus and his disciples running a bomb squadron to crush the evil systems they had to dealwith? They did confront the powers, but with radicallydifferent methods. We have to take Jesus’ life seriously, ifwe want to make him not only personal Savior, but Lord.

5. Let’s agree to always walk toward, not away from,those with whom we disagree. All of our opinions havepoints that can be challenged. We literally need eachother in the church. We need diversity of perspectives tofind the truth. Everyone suffers from a certain measure ofnaivete. If we just stick with those who see things ourway, we will never discover our blind spots.

6. Let’s always spend more time listening than formulatingresponses. We have to be quiet long enough to hearwhat the Spirit is saying. If we are constantly driving ourown stake in the ground, in order to defend our position,how will the Spirit nudge us a little farther along the road?How will the Spirit break through to give us new insight?

7. Let’s commit ourselves to work for peace withjustice. The biblical picture is one of “justice and peacekissing each other” (Ps. 85:10). There is no peace withoutjustice. Let’s not short-circuit justice in the present crisis.It is right that those responsible for these massive acts ofinhumanity are called to account. But there is more thanone way for that to happen.

8. Let’s always listen to the wisdom of the church.There are good reasons why certain convictions haveremained with us for many generations. We can disagree,but we must bend over backwards to listen. SomeMennonites can quote talk show hosts and radio preachersbackwards and forwards, but have no idea what ourConfession of Faith has to say. Mennonites don’t geteverything right. You might study our tradition thoroughly,and still find things to take issue with. But do listen tothe wisdom of our community of faith.

9. Let’s never stop proclaiming hope. That’s somethingimportant we have to offer the world in times like these.Our theology of resurrection is a theology of hope. Godcan bring life out of death. God can bring peace out ofchaos. And God has the last word.

Writer: Phil Kniss, pastor; summary of his sermon at Park View Mennonite Church, September 30, 2001
Graphic Designer: Cynthia Friesen