A Pastoral Letter to the Churches of Northern Indiana District

In 1957 the Brethren Service Commission of the General Brotherhood Board published a resource book for local church leaders titled Peace Education in Churches. It was written by Dan West and others. In the Introduction, Dan West writes these words which seem very contemporary:

Our fascinating modern world has a kind of split personality. Peace on earth is an ancient refrain and a present wish of millions of people. But right along with this is the much-honored ancient method of turning to war for the settlement of many of our hard problems. ...

Some despair of things ever being any better than this. Only a little handful are hopeful; some just used to be hopeful. The increasing pressures of cultural changes and the bigger and bigger problems as world population expands and as the means of communication develop and transportation brings us closer to everybody else - these make the tasks harder.

In recent weeks, as the prospects of once again turning to war for the settlement of international problems has grown ever-closer, I have found myself turning to the New Testament for answers. Reading the New Testament with eyes open to the tension that existed in the early years of the Christian Church with the governing authorities has been helpful. I have found a timely message in The Revelation to John, as the writer calls upon the churches of Asia to "listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

David Wieand, a long-time professor at Bethany Seminary now deceased, in his book Visions of Glory: Studies in the Book of Revelation, reminds us that: "John's basic understanding of history and of life involves a tremendous battle between good and evil. God, and the Lamb are locked in a spiritual struggle with the Devil. Its outcome will determine the destiny of every person. This battle between superhuman forces is mirrored in the visible struggle of the church with the Roman empire. ... The ultimate goal of the book of Revelation is the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth (5:10; 11:15; 19:1-10). In fact the establishment of God's kingdom on earth is the goal of the entire Bible. Only in Revelation, is it finally accomplished. The basic question for Revelation and for that matter for the Bible as a whole is who is Lord, God or Satan, Caesar or Christ?"

Cast in light of this biblical question, the Christian Church today will see the current war not as an International Conflict, a war between the United States and Iraq, or even a war centered around the personalities of George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein. This is a war between Good and Evil, between God and Satan, between Caesar and Christ. It is not a matter of placing one nation's leaders on the side of good and other nations' leaders on the side of evil, when all have succumbed to the leading of Satan over against the ways of God.

It is true that throughout history there have been times when church and government have existed in an almost-too-comfortable relationship with one another. And at times church and government have been as one. Indeed, many of our spiritual ancestors came to this land to escape the persecution of "state religion." They insisted on separation of church and state, understanding that this tension is necessary for the church to choose Christ over Caesar.

The Christian Church today, whether worshiping in Iraq or in the United States or in some other land, is once again faced with the age-old question of choosing between Caesar or Christ, in giving its loyalty to nationalism or to the kingdom of God.

The New Testament has varied examples of the relationship between "governing authorities" and the religious community, including the early Christian Church. The religious community into which Jesus is born is anxiously awaiting a "messiah" or leader who will liberate the people militarily from the domination of Roman Rule. Jesus very life is threatened as a two-year-old when King Herod seeks to kill all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under. Christ overcomes the evil power of Caesar by the leading of God's spirit.

Jesus is indeed the "messiah" of his people but salvation does not come in the expected form of a military ruler aboard a white horse, but from a teacher riding on a donkey who is crucified by "governing authorities." But again, Good overcomes Evil, according to the Resurrection Story which we celebrate in the Christian Church each year on Easter Sunday.

The Apostle Paul, a Roman citizen, takes full advantage of his citizenship on numerous occasions, including his right to appeal to the emperor (Acts 25:10). Paul urges the Christian Church in the Roman Empire's capital city to "be subject to the governing authorities," but in the next breath he urges Christians to "owe no one anything, except to love one another (the only commandment given by Jesus to the church); for the one who loves has fulfilled the law." In his Letter to the Ephesians, generally believed to be one of Paul's final letters written from Rome, Paul reminds Christians "...our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil...." Paul, himself, is often in conflict with the authorities and in his ministry never allows Caesar to get in the way of his commitment to Christ.

By the time of the writing of The Revelation to John, there was conflict between Roman authorities who were beginning to enforce the practice of "emperor worship" and Christians who held that Christ - not the emperor, was Lord. The Christians do not recognize the authority of the emperor, instead secretly referring to the emperor as "the beast." This letter is written as a pastoral letter to the churches urging them to remain faithful to Christ in their struggle with Caesar, and providing a vision of a time when God's kingdom will replace that of the "beast."

In Visions of Glory, David Wieand concludes with these words:

Throughout the history of the Christian church whenever she has faced social and political upheaval, she has found comfort, renewed courage, and faith through returning to these words of John in the book of Revelation. Our age is no exception. Confronted by political and religious persecution, by social upheaval, by the ravages of war, by economic forces beyond her control, by the increasing threat of atomic weapons, hydrogen and neutron bombs, the church is turning again to the message of John. Above and beyond the "super powers," the "military-industrial complex," the international cartels, the disintegration of the ethical foundations of society, the church proclaims, "God is on the throne!"

Brothers and Sisters in the Church of Jesus Christ, "the beast" is again at war within God's world. This is not the first time, nor is it likely to be the last, that Satan will seek to destroy what God has created and called "good." All that is new is the personalities through which Satan now works.

In this message to the churches of Northern Indiana district, I urge: "Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches." Hear the Good News: Jesus lives! The kingdom of God is among us and is coming in all of its fullness! God dwells among us and we will be God's people!

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! May the Grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

Herman Kauffman, District Executive Minister

During these difficult times, I invite your continuing prayers:

That all Christians everywhere will remain faithful and seek to align themselves with God's will

That leaders of nations will seek peace through nonviolent alternatives to military actions.

For the safety of all peoples, including citizens of Iraq and all military members involved in the war.

For our friends and family members in the military to return to Christian teachings and to refuse to kill.

That the power of Satan might be exorcised from leaders who once claimed to follow the way of Jesus.

That those who post signs of the Ten Commandments, will look long and hard at Thou shalt not kill.

Prayers of personal confession when we are tempted to choose loyalty to Caesar over loyalty to Christ.

For faith and courage to remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus the Christ, the Prince of Peace.