http://theooze.com/culture/the-frosted-mini-wheat-look-at-war/ Moving forward into a progressive, evolving spirituality that awakens and engages the “Way of Jesus” Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:47:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 http://theooze.com/culture/the-frosted-mini-wheat-look-at-war/#comment-334 chris Tue, 07 Dec 2010 22:51:23 +0000 http://theooze.com/?p=944#comment-334 hi john. thanks for that article. this is a current point of tension in the christian circles and even in my own head. i'm on the fence with this issue. the pacifist or nonviolent point of view fits the character of the Jesus that i see in scripture. i just cant seem to fully embrace this ideal. at least not yet. most of my friends are pro war. at least they believe in the possibility of a just war. and while i don't doubt that they theoretically believe in the "turn the other cheek" message, its so hard for them (and myself) to consider the REALITY of it. for instance, as i tend to drift more and more toward nonviolent resistance, a common argument arises that i cant seem to get past. "what am i supposed to do if a man walks into my home and starts beating up or hurting my kids?" i understand that this is bordering on forming a theology based on our human condition but its a valid question. how do we as nonviolent followers of christ get that evil man to stop hurting our loved ones? it seems like at some point, words fall short and we have to put our hands on him. then the question arises, how far is too far? is prying a psycho off an innocent kid considered violence? or is pushing him away? what about restraining him? what if a woman carries pepper spray with her? is she disobedient if she has to use it? im not trying to sound like im just making a point. these are real questions that i dont have answers for. i also understand that christianity in our day doesnt teach the radical love resistance that jesus taught and lived. so i know were supposed to be radicals. but how radical is radical, and how radical is foolish? thanks again for the article. it was very helpful. hi john. thanks for that article. this is a current point of tension in the christian circles and even in my own head. i’m on the fence with this issue. the pacifist or nonviolent point of view fits the character of the Jesus that i see in scripture. i just cant seem to fully embrace this ideal. at least not yet. most of my friends are pro war. at least they believe in the possibility of a just war. and while i don’t doubt that they theoretically believe in the “turn the other cheek” message, its so hard for them (and myself) to consider the REALITY of it. for instance, as i tend to drift more and more toward nonviolent resistance, a common argument arises that i cant seem to get past. “what am i supposed to do if a man walks into my home and starts beating up or hurting my kids?” i understand that this is bordering on forming a theology based on our human condition but its a valid question. how do we as nonviolent followers of christ get that evil man to stop hurting our loved ones? it seems like at some point, words fall short and we have to put our hands on him. then the question arises, how far is too far? is prying a psycho off an innocent kid considered violence? or is pushing him away? what about restraining him? what if a woman carries pepper spray with her? is she disobedient if she has to use it? im not trying to sound like im just making a point. these are real questions that i dont have answers for. i also understand that christianity in our day doesnt teach the radical love resistance that jesus taught and lived. so i know were supposed to be radicals. but how radical is radical, and how radical is foolish? thanks again for the article. it was very helpful.

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