Friday, October 22, 2004
The Iraq War and a Christian Near Pacificist
The following was sent to a friend in response to the issue of the Iraq War at both the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) and United Methodist Church annual conferences. Richard Hays, whose theology and writing I very much appreciate (one of the young theologians in Christianity Today some years ago), said he wished the UMC had wrestled with the Iraq war as Christians like the PCUSA. The following response was sent to my friend who read my Dr. Hay’s comment in The Christian Century.
The following thoughts reflect the struggles of a Christian who love peace, justice, and community. It also reflects the struggles of one who sees evil as a very real presence in the world. After the past century, I don?t know how we can deny that reality, and in light of that, how does one balance their desire for the present and yet still coming Kingdom of God, while at the same time, living with the limitations of the a fallen world. Over the past two years my thinking has been shaped by the writings of Darrell Cole and Jean Bethke Elshtain, and to them I give many thanks.
