Is redemptive violence a myth? We see it played out in our world as we are in the middle of a “war on terror”, we see it in our superhero stories where we cheer for the guy/hero to destroy all the bad guys, we experience it in our lives when someone does something terrible and hurtful to someone we love, we see it all around us. It is tightly connected to our sense of justice I think. But is it a myth?
Oh, and just in case you’re wondering what I mean by redemptive violence, I’m referring to the idea that peace can come through violence. And on a bigger scale with regard to my reference point I’m talking about comparing the idea of redemptive violence with the Jesus that we meet in the New Testament. Was it something Jesus “believed in” (for lack of a better term) or was it something that he straight up opposed?
I’ve believed so many things for my whole entire life as base fact that I am now beginning to question with much evidence concerning the message of Jesus. I do not have a clear thought out theology concerning much of it, but I am in the beginning of a journey that could possibly take me somewhere I never thought I’d be.
Can violence beget peace or does it just beget more violence? If it does beget some sort of peace is it a peace more similar to the infamous Pax Romana of the subjugation of other peoples? Do we really believe that Jesus meant it or knew what he was talking about when he said love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, or turn the other cheek, or do not resist and evil person, or do to others what you would have them do to you, or…I could go on. I know that interpretation must take place for each statement but I feel like in the past I’ve interpreted those scriptures in such a way so as to place my own meaning on them (isn’t that what we always do?). Anyway, lets say those passages mean exactly what they sound like they mean…do we really believe that is possible? Do we have the faith in God to belive it? Do we have the creativity to practice it? Would we be willing to?
I’ve still got some issues I’m working through concerning all this, but it’s the beginning of a journey which I hope to share with you.
Now that I’m rereading this post I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a pretty poorly written piece. But as I mentioned in a previous post, I’m still trying to develop and flesh out my own words to express this fledgling belief inside of me. Anyway, sorry for the odd post. I hope it brings up some good questions or something.