Dancing With Wolves: Struggling with the Words of Jesus • How Do We Love Our Enemies? | Non-Violence

In a Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, Matthew Vander Els explores the challenging and often uncomfortable aspects of Jesus’ teachings, particularly the commands to love our enemies and to practice non-violent resistance. He candidly shares his personal struggle to reconcile these radical instructions with his own instincts and cultural conditioning as an American. Vander Els uses the example of the Amish community’s response to the tragic shooting at the West Nickel Mines School in 2006 to illustrate the profound and often perplexing nature of forgiveness in the face of extreme evil.

The speaker recounts his visit to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he learned about the Amish way of life, including their emphasis on community, simple living, and separation from modern technology. He highlights their commitment to their Anabaptist tenets, which prioritize not conforming to the ways of the world. This sets the stage for the discussion of their extraordinary reaction to the school shooting, where members of the Amish community extended compassion and forgiveness to the family of the shooter. This act of radical forgiveness, rooted in their faith, deeply impacted many but also drew criticism from those who questioned the suppression of natural emotions.

Vander Els confesses his own difficulty in fully embracing this level of forgiveness, admitting that he finds himself “a bit upset with it too for some reason.” He introspectively examines the potential reasons for his hesitation, suggesting it might stem from his own uncertainty about his capacity for such profound faith and dependence on God in a similar situation. He reflects on Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, specifically the instruction to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This teaching challenges the more natural inclination to “love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” The speaker emphasizes the radical nature of Jesus’ call to be “perfect” like the Father in heaven, who blesses both the evil and the good. He grapples with the question of whether Jesus truly meant these commands to be taken literally and applied in all circumstances.

The teaching delves into the speaker’s personal journey and struggle as an American, a culture that often celebrates military victory and the defeat of enemies. He points out how media, particularly Hollywood, has historically portrayed clear distinctions between “good guys” and “bad guys,” reinforcing a mindset of opposition and conflict. The example of a poll asking about bombing the fictional city of Agrabah illustrates the tendency to identify and react against perceived enemies, even without clear understanding. This cultural backdrop makes the teachings of Jesus on non-violence and enemy love seem counterintuitive.

Vander Els then explores the historical context of how Christians have interpreted these teachings. He notes that while the earliest Christians seemed remarkably consistent in their commitment to non-violent resistance, enemy love, and forgiveness, this stance evolved over time. He cites early Christian writers like Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Origen, who spoke against Christians participating in violence and war. These early believers prioritized peace and were willing to face persecution rather than inflict harm. The example of Maximilian, who refused to enlist in the Roman military due to his Christian beliefs and was subsequently executed, further highlights this early commitment to non-violence.

The teaching marks a turning point with the reign of Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. The acceptance of Christianity as the national religion of Rome and the narrative of Constantine’s vision of the cross leading to military victory provided a justification for Christian involvement in warfare. Vander Els expresses skepticism about the divine nature of this event, suggesting its political convenience. He acknowledges that throughout history, Christians have often resorted to violence in what seemed like necessary situations, such as confronting immediate threats. This leads to a personal reflection on the pragmatic challenges of non-violence in the face of extreme evil, posing the question of how one should respond to a “bad guy with a bomb.”

Returning to the core teachings of Jesus, Vander Els emphasizes that Jesus’ message is rooted in the biblical narrative of human autonomy from God and the resulting cycle of violence. He interprets the flood in Genesis as an act of divine violence to end human violence, which ultimately proved unsuccessful. The history of Israel, oscillating between oppression and being an oppressor, further illustrates this cycle. The speaker connects this to the confrontation between Jesus and Caiaphas in Matthew 26, where Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man, signifying the defeat of earthly powers through his sacrifice. This “radical upside-down nature of the kingdom of God” is central to understanding Jesus’ path.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Practice intentional acts of kindness towards those you perceive as difficult or even as enemies. Seek their well-being even if they have wronged you.
• Refuse to retaliate in kind when someone treats you poorly. Instead of mirroring negative behavior, seek a constructive and non-violent response.
• Challenge your cultural biases that glorify violence or demonize enemies. Be aware of how media and societal norms shape your perceptions.
• Engage in self-reflection to identify your own limits when it comes to forgiveness and non-violence. Acknowledge your struggles and pray for growth in these areas.
• Study the teachings of Jesus on love, forgiveness, and non-resistance in their full context. Avoid cherry-picking verses to justify your own inclinations.
• Seek to understand the perspectives of those you consider enemies. Empathy can be a powerful tool in breaking down barriers and fostering reconciliation.
• Be willing to stand against injustice and protect others from harm, but do so in a way that reflects the love and character of Jesus, seeking to redeem rather than destroy.
• Recognize that true strength lies not in the ability to inflict harm but in the courage to love and forgive in the face of adversity.
• Prioritize your allegiance to God’s kingdom over the values and expectations of the world. Be willing to live differently, even if it means facing opposition.
• Pray regularly for God’s strength and guidance in living out these challenging teachings. Acknowledge your dependence on the Holy Spirit to transform your heart and actions.

References

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 5
• Matthew 26
• Matthew 16
• Philippians 1:21
• Revelation 3:21

Books and Resources Mentioned:

• The Bible
• Red Dawn (movie)
• Iron Eagle (movie)
• Back to the Future (movie)