When it comes to war it is easy to see how people can strongly favor a certain side due to life experiences and choose a team to belong to. I found a couple quotes recently aimed to balance out each team.
“What if the American dream isn’t God’s dream?”-anonymous
“Protest is good, alternatives are better.”-Jim Wallis
However you personally feel, the scriptures point to a day in which shalom (peace) will reign. We should make every attempt to live our lives in that future reality. Recently I saw these photos:
Here is a link to the project called Tree of Life (Reference to Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22) and a little blurb about how it came to be:
“TAE was set up by Bishop Dom Dinis Sengulane in 1995 and is supported by Christian Aid. During Mozambique’s civil war, which lasted from 1976 to 1992, millions of guns and other weapons poured into the country and most of them remain hidden or buried in the bush. The project is an attempt to eliminate the threat presented by the hidden weapons. Mozambicans are encouraged to hand them over in exchange for items like ploughs, bicycles and sewing machines. In one case a whole village gave up its weapons in exchange for a tractor.
Once the weapons are decommissioned, they are cut up and turned into sculptures by the artists in Maputo. This process has produced the Tree of Life.”
The prophets spoke of a great reversal. One day the lion would lay down with the lamb. One day the desert would overflow with life. One day the mountains would run with wine. One day weeping would cease. One day the mute tongue would shout for joy. One day the lame would leap like the deer. And one day weapons would be beaten into plowing shears.
Obviously, war is glorious. People didn’t go to see 300 this weekend to see good dialogues but bloodshed and power and strength and courage. I think that as Christians we forget that we follow in the footsteps of a crucified messiah who found power in weakness. To quote Rob Bell, “On the cross Caesar and Herod appeared quite strong but they were actually quite weak. On the cross Jesus appeared quite weak but he was actually quite strong…weak is the new strong.”
A great book to read not just on being pro or anti war is Shane Claiborne’s Irresistible Revolution. I’ve always got a couple copies if you just want me to loan you one.
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