23—Forty Days with James: Waging War

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.James 4:1-3Context: link with chapter 3 – peaceful vs. violent approaches to the problems in our world.The peace, shalom, of which James speaks is more than peace in our hearts, or harmony in the church. It's not difficult to imagine there were quarrels within the church—but killing?Some spiritualize the word – killing = hating (Matt 5). But this isn’t persuasive.Is this referring to outsiders? Not all commentators take these words as literally applying to insiders. But it seems to me the passage makes more sense if James’s words are directed at political violence on the part of insiders.After all, “Jesus, like James, confronted political and religious oppositions of his day, when Zealot militarism and Essene passivity stood at opposite ends of the spectrum.”Zealots (those favoring violence as a legitimate means of driving out the Romans, and damaging those who collaborated with them—the Sadducees).Essenes (the Dead Sea community that had withdrawn from the system, and were deeply critical of Jerusalem)Sadducees – arranged death of James 62, and with the Pharisees the death of Jesus in 30.An example of an intention of intramural murder is found in Acts 23:21-22.Isn’t it also hard to believe that various Corinthians: Babbled like a kindergarten class in the belief God’s Spirit was moving them? Looked down on the apostle Paul? Denied the literal resurrection of Christ? Were proud that they weren’t disciplining a member in an immoral relationship with his stepmother? Were taking each other to court? Were getting drunk during the Lord’s Supper?Is it so difficult to believe some Christians would support violent causes? Or perhaps better said, support causes that sometimes resort to violence? Just listen to what the, Americans, the Dutch, the French, the Russians, and many other national groups are advocating—just check the social media or watch the news!Our world: Nearly 200 nations, 40 major wars, 100s of minor wars. Civil unrest, domestic terrorism…. And much of this violence is justified as God’s will. A good deal of the violence is carried out “in the name of Jesus.”Is there a contradiction with James 1, on prayer?We shouldn’t expect the Lord to answer our prayers if they’re in conflict with his will.Asking for something in Jesus’ name is not a magic talisman. It’s not a formula, either… (It’s not how NT prayers end, anyway.) When we seek the Lord’s will, as Christians, then all our prayers are already, automatically “in Jesus’ name.”Just as there are two kinds of wisdom, there are two fundamental responses to our problems (personal, local, global):Patience. Be Peacemakers.Anger. Resort to violencePolitically motivated violence, revolution, and killing are forbidden. Further: Law, Allegiance, RevolutionThe next reflection in the series: The Worldly ChurchWhy is it so hard to believe any Christians would commit murder? (Why, because adultery, compared to murder, is relatively okay?)