Redemptive violence vs. Redemptive love & grace
If I could list half a dozen topics West African Bible students need to explore, Redemptive violence vs. Redemptive grace, would be on that list. It’s an example of why Bible teaching in Africa is such a delight. The interest in this topic, new to most students, is high.
We first take note that both sides of this question share a common word: redemption. Redemption, in this case refers to the freedom one experiences to pursue, to become and to emulate the righteousness of God. The conclusion of this discussion is that violence, in reality, neither frees nor empowers one into God’s righteousness. Quite to the contrary, violence simply multiplies evil; perpetuating and recycling greater violence. In other words, redemptive violence is an absolute lie.
The Myth of Redemptive Violence is the notion that violent force is necessary to bring order out of chaos. It is the belief that violence is necessary to hold back evil, that war brings peace and that it is necessary to sacrifice a few lives to save the many. Redemptive violence is a given worldwide; it has been in all cultures and from the beginning of time.
The evil of redemptive violence is manifold: for those upon whom it is inflicted it brings pain, suffering, anger and even death. Upon both recipient and perpetrator it creates fear, alienation and mistrust. Moreover, the violent act of today simply sows the seeds for the next expanded cycle of violence. Redemptive violence is a potent force in relationships at all levels: personal, familial, community, and internationally.
This belief (a lie) is stated succinctly in the words of Caiaphas in John 11:50, “…it is better for you that one man [Jesus] should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” The writer of John, then goes on to tell readers how Jesus turned this myth on its head, proving it to be a lie:
“He [Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” In other words- God’s children are preserved, not because the religious leaders succeeded in putting Jesus in the grave but that Jesus, voluntarily and in faithfulness to God’s plan, by laying down his life, opened the possibility for transformation and eternal resurrection. Jesus, the author and source of life itself, was unable to remain in the grave. But he willingly went through that experience to prove that the power of God’s love and grace trumps violence and death, thereby exposing redemptive violence to be, in reality, a lie.
The outline of redemptive grace and love is foreshadowed in the Genesis creation story. It shows us that a good God created a good creation. The chaos before creation did not resist His order to become good. Subsequently, His good creation was corrupted and became chaotic by mankind’s freedom to choose rebellion. Rebellion brought violence only to be met with God’s gracious intervention thru a Messiah. Jesus, in his life, death and glorious resurrection, brought an end to the cycle of violence and offers us the choice to reclaim God’s good intentions for our own lives and all His creation.
A major theme of the Book of Revelation is God’s victory over evil and the eternal restoration of His beautiful creation where only love, peace and justice are known. All evil, rebellious persons and powers who have opposed God are forever banished into the depths of hell. How has God accomplished this glorious victory? One might begin to look for a powerful military general with multitudes of combat forces. Instead of a show of massive, violent and overwhelming force what do we behold? A Lamb! A meek, submissive and faithful lamb which had been slain but rose to life eternal in the dramatic final battle.
Because Jesus willingly offered himself to violence, the myth of redemptive violence was confirmed as a lie; through his resurrection, Jesus defeated the power of that lie. (See Col. 2:15). Moreover, those who would be his disciples are expected to perpetuate the witness of God’s redemptive love and grace. We make that declaration by dying to self and sin. Being raised with Christ to a new, transformed life is our participation in his victory, a witness to our world that God’s love supersedes violence. (See John 12: 24-26).
Most, but not all Africans, receive this teaching with joy once it is explained and understood. They see in it the potential for peace and hope in their communities and families where violence is the accepted norm. Everyone is happy about God’s grace in relation to their personal salvation; it takes a bit of nudging to help people see redemptive grace as the norm for all other relationships. People who resist this teaching and find it difficult usually have a fleshly, secondary agenda they are unwilling to give up.
Redeeming love and grace is more than an important aspect of the gospel, it is the gospel. Those who follow Christ in this life are challenged to cherish the truth of redeeming love far beyond a personal, private relationship with God. For disciples of Jesus that truth is foundational in all of our relationships: in our families, in our churches, our neighborhoods and even for those who are unkind and hateful.
Beryl Forrester
July, 2016
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