Comments on: Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way (Book Review)

By: David D. Flowers

David D. Flowers — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:35:20 +0000

Nick,
I do understand how others get a bit bothered by my words on King. I do acknowledge that he manifested the Kingdom of God on racism. However, my point is that there are much better examples of Christ-likeness that is not intertwined with political corruption and moral failure. I would prefer we use those testimonies of believers who were doing the dirty work of the Kingdom in such a way that looked more like Christ suffering outside the city with the poor and downtrodden than a “preacher” who at times presented a distorted image of Christ and the uniqueness of his Kingdom.

Again, I don’t mean to dismiss King altogether… I am simply confident we can find one that is not wrapped in the American flag and her promise of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” I respect your opinion and take notice that you are adding to the discussion. Thank you.

By: nick

nick — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:24:57 +0000

so what do you think of the civil rights movement? is MLK to be disregarded with a wave of the hand, because of his moral shortcomings with regard to sex and because he worked in the public sphere to reverse policies that oppressed and dehumanized african-americans and other minorities? wow, what a godless idolator of the nation-state, helping poor blacks. and certainly, i’ve never been guilty of any sexual sin! it’s unfortunate that many Christians, especially of the conservative variety, continue to point to MLK’s infidelities or his theological leanings to discredit his Christian witness and memory. (not surprisingly, this is a favorite tactic used by white supremacist groups in anti-MLK propaganda that they disseminate through literature and websites.) philip yancey points out that we revere as prophets not a few flawed leaders whom God used to further his kingdom, but are quick to dismiss someone like MLK. it’s absolutely a double standard, and one frequently deployed by those who are antagonistic or indifferent towards the concept of racial justice and how it matters for the church and world.

http://www.adventistreview.org/2001-1541/story5.html

MLK was a Christian. there was much that he did that was Christ-like. disagree with his niebuhrian ways, but don’t discount his distinctively Christian witness and moral courage in the face of the utter failure of evangelicals and mainline liberals to speak truth to power. the civil rights movement was not simply a secular, partisan power play or an attempt to consummate eschatological history by completing a this-worldly kingdom. i vehemently disagree with those simplistic, reductive interpretations, and for that matter i think yoder would too.

By: David D. Flowers

David D. Flowers — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:58:51 +0000

Thanks for commenting Barry!
I’m pretty sure I have understood Wink. I cited the reasons why I believe Wink has confused Jesus’ example of non-violence with those who use non-violence to manipulate the direction of worldly politics. His examples of Ghandi and King prove this to be true. I agree with what you have said, but I did not hear that message from Wink.

By: Barry Clemson

Barry Clemson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:58:55 +0000

I think you fundamentally misunderstand Wink. He argues that Jesus was about refusing to play the game of the domination system in any form, that the third way, the way of love, transcended the games of the domination system and thereby recalled them to their proper purpose. He argued that what we normally mean by “submission” was foreign to Jesus, that he continually and forcefully resisted evil by the force of love. Further, the purpose was never to gain partisan advantage but to bring about the kingdom of God on earth. In order to do that, Jesus pretty continually violated the norms and customs of his day which contributed to the domination system.

By: David D. Flowers

David D. Flowers — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 04:55:16 +0000

I agree Van. “Our best is no good.” This means that Christ must live through us and give us the ability to follow his hard teachings.
I’m not sure what you mean with your last sentence.
Thanks for commenting.

By: Van Jones

Van Jones — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 00:51:46 +0000

“Our best is no good.”, can also be said about Ghandi, King, Bohhoeffer, Flowers, Jones and the rest of the Saints. Discerning the Holy Spirit’s direction for us to take in service to the Lord is,might be, the thin ice.