Greg Boyd, in his book The Myth of the Christian Nation,
describes a particular concept for how Jesus uses power and therefore how the
church should use power. Boyd suggests
that there are two general concepts of power available- the nations and
Jesus/church. The nations, i.e. the
world, uses a concept of power that he describes as a "power
over." This "power over"
seeks to dominate and control others, forcefully bending other people's will to
their purposes. This can be seen in most
nations around the world and sadly, many churches.
As our example, I will pick on the United States since that
is the location where I live and the place where I seek to critique with a
prophet's eye. We in the U.S. have a
very strong and subtle way of coercing other nations and our own people to
obey, to give to us what we want as a nation, and to maintain "Pax
Americana," the peace of America.
It is probably best summed up by President Roosevelt who, when speaking
about foreign policy, says "It is best to speak softly and carry a big
stick."
We have held this statement as our way of life in the United
States. We are the nation that spends
the most on our military, has one of the largest and definitely the most technologically
advanced military, and the largest nuclear arsenal in the world. The U.S. holds a definite "power
over" the world, even as we struggle economically. Now, I know we are asking: "isn't this the way to keep peace? Is this not how we protect our rights, our
security, our "freedom?" Isn't
this how we help protect the "innocent" world-wide?" The problem lies in the means which do not
justify the ends - at least, not for the church who are the living disciples
and ambassadors of Jesus Christ.
Boyd then describes the contrasting "power under"
that Jesus brings. Jesus, King of the
Universe, rightful ruler of this world, who can call legions of angels to his
bidding in a moment, seeks to serve the world he enters. He heals the sick with a touch (even lepers),
forgives the prostitutes, eats with sinners and tax-collectors, and enters
Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus radically describes a different way of life, a
"Kingdom of God" that is entering the world through his very
life. Jesus then gets violently taken by
the religious and political authorities of the day, is crucified, and
buried. Three days later he again
subverts the entire structure and power dynamic (the world's power is
"obey me or die") through the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God
("I invite you to obey, and you will find freedom and everlasting
life" says Jesus).
Jesus' power is one that does not seek to dominate but to
influence. It does not seek to be served
but to serve. Jesus "law" is
always an invitation to participate and is not a "big stick"
(obviously I believe "fire and brimstone preaching" has been co-opted
into becoming a worldly power play instead of the invitation Jesus gives). Jesus power is based upon a love relationship
that crosses all boundaries, nations, classes, sexes, etc. Those in relationship with Jesus and with
each other are the church - those who live in the nations but are not of them;
who critique the nations and live out the kingdom of God; who use "power
under," never the forceful coercion of the world.
In part 4, we will finally tackle "How do we handle
power in our everyday lives?"
Here is Greg Boyd's book from which the concepts of
"power over" and "power under," as well as other ideas,
come from.
Boyd, Greg. The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is Destroying the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2005.
No comments:
Post a Comment