The US and Israel’s attack on Iran has impacted families planning to fly via Gulf airports, the world price of oil and gas, but above all the people of Iran itself, Lebanon and the threat of other surrounding countries being dragged in. And this from a President who once promised no forever wars or regime-changing “exercises” abroad, who surrounds himself with a team chosen for their loyalty (in contrast to those in his first term who were able and willing to challenge him).
The so-called “Operation Epic Fury” began on February 28th. Quakers in both the UK and USA have spoken out [by March 5th]- hopefully others will follow. But one major obstacle is language: the language of political debate focusses on power, competition, defending your rights and your boundaries- what might be called an “imperial mindset”. It is hard to step beyond that to see a more creative world. The writers of the New Testament had the same problem- their language was dominated and controlled by Imperial Rome: “good news” meant great military victories; “Son of God” meant the Emperor. The Gospels that same language, but with new meaning- “kingship” means riding a donkey, and the “reign of God” a Cross. Such language can be misunderstood as if it still has the old imperial sense- but actions showed that the old language meant something very different (a lesson the Church since Constantine has sometimes forgotten).
In Luke chapter 11 Jesus heals a man who is mute. When the religious leaders challenge how he has done it, he tells them “If it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted, and divides his plunder” (verses 20 to 22). Herod the Great (appointed to rule by the Romans) was often called “the strong man”- so who is the “stronger”? Does Jesus perhaps mean himself?
Violent language again, but it is not by force and violence that Jesus can “cast out the demons”, break the destructive powers that harm life and the world (not only the Herods of this world, but all they represent). Perhaps the antidote to an “imperial mindset” is the mindset of Jesus. If we think that power is the essence of life (even defining “God” as omnipotent and ultimate power), the New Testament contradicts us, saying that “God is love” (1 John, chapter 4, verse 8). But love can seem impotent in the face of the world’s powers. As Donald Trump Jr (the President’s son) said at a Charlie Kirk Turning Point USA Rally “We’ve turned the other cheek, and I understand, sort of, the biblical reference. But it’s gotten us nothing”. (see “The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism”, page 329).
Jesus said “The Kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17, verse 21)- or “among you” (not only in individuals but working in communities)- sometimes “like a mustard seed” (Matthew 13, verse 31). “Love your enemies”, he says (Matthew 5, verse 44), and the hope (the only hope?) we have is that people who take that seriously and put it into practice will drive out the “demons” that afflict our world, depriving them of their power and authority over human life. But they will not be abolished, not at least in this life- and if people or governments again worship them, by making them their goals and ideals for life (whether power, wealth, prestige or whatever), their destructive power returns.
Web Links:
UK should work for peace not war in the Middle East | Quakers in Britain