Dear St. Paul’s Family,
Last Thursday, Walter Wink died.
You may not have heard of him, as his death was largely ignored among the many news headlines of last week. Yet, his influence throughout the church as an advocate for peace and non-violent resistance has left an enduring mark on many people, including this preacher.
Sixteen years ago, my seminary mentor recommended that I pick up a book called “Engaging the Powers,” written by Wink, a United Methodist minister and professor of biblical interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City. I started reading over my Christmas break in 1996, and I could not put it down. Reading that book was a singularly transformative moment in my life and ministry, broadening my worldview and drawing me closer to the message of Jesus Christ unlike any book prior.
THE MYTH OF REDEMPTIVE VIOLENCE
Wink coined the phrase “the myth of redemptive violence” to describe the subtle, subversive way that violence permeates every aspect of our lives. In the most biblical sense, it is a demonic power: we become convinced of its value, while we are unable to perceive its destructive allure. The opening chapter begins with these provocative words:
Violence is the ethos of our times. It is the spirituality of the modern world. It has been accorded the status of a religion, demanding from its devotees an absolute obedience to death. Its followers are not aware, however, that the devotion they pay to violence is a form of religious piety. Violence is so successful as a myth precisely because it does not seem to be mythic in the least. Violence simply appears to be the nature of things. It is what works. It is inevitable, the last and, often, the first resort in conflicts. It is embraced with equal alacrity by people on the left and on the right, by religious liberals as well as religious conservatives. The threat of violence, it is believed, is alone able to deter aggressors. It secured us forty-five years of a balance of terror. We learned to trust the Bomb to grant us peace.
Wink then offered the popular comic strip Popeye as an example. In each installment, there is this recurring narrative: Popeye is the hero, Bluto is the villain; Popeye wins, Bluto loses; and Popeye always resorts to violence in order to defeat Bluto. That, Wink said, is the myth of redemptive violence. It is the widespread, subversive belief that violence is necessary to vanquish evil in the world.
In short, it is the conviction that violence saves.
Fans of popular culture need not press much further to think of other examples: A man in a red cape and a chest-emblazoned “S” overpowers enemies with a swift fist. A camouflaged muscle man named Rambo sprays bullets at his enemies. A Lone Ranger dressed in all white shoots silver bullets at the bad guys dressed in black. Even the number one movie in the country today is about a team of Marvel comics superheroes that perform preposterous acts of violence against invading alien enemies.
The theme is so pervasive that we are unable to discern its destructive power. For this is the deeper question: if we truly believe that only good guys are entitled to use violence to defeat the bad guys, then who decides who the heroes and enemies are? That, of course, is the great danger of the myth of redemptive violence. People always think that they are the heroes, and that everyone else is the enemy.
Consider the brutal beating of a gay college student in Illinois back in April. He was surrounded by a gang of people who thought they were the good guys, and that he was the villain. Or how about the growing violence in Syria, between the Sunni and Alawi people, two communities that are convinced that each other is the enemy that must be eradicated. Or look at the recent shooting in Tucson, in which a gunman was convinced that the government was the enemy for “brainwashing” people. Or consider the worst instance of domestic terrorism in our history: the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, conducted not by a Muslim extremist, but by an American Christian, who believed that "Once you bloody the bully's nose, and he knows he's going to be punched again, he's not coming back around." And, of course, we all remember the tragic shooting at Columbine High School, when two shooters thought they were the heroes, and that athletes, Christians, and popular kids were the enemies.
When tragedies like this capture our attention, we are quick to point the finger at the most obvious, most convenient targets. We blame the media, or the shooter’s family, or the faltering economy, or the government. But Walter Wink challenged us to dig deeper. He blamed it on the demonic influence of the myth of redemptive violence. And then he invited us to look deep within ourselves to see how we might be just as guilty of falling for the same myth as those whose violent deeds grab the headlines:
Whenever you watch a movie, and you are pleased that the movie ends with the violent killing of the villain, you fall for the myth of redemptive violence.
Whenever you watch the news and wish physical punishment on someone else for their crimes, you fall for the myth of redemptive violence.
Whenever you play a video game that gauges success through numbers of kills and accumulated corpses, you fall for the myth of redemptive violence.
The problem is that we do not, never have, and never will, live in a world where the lines of hero and villain are so clearly drawn that violence is ever, ever justifiable. But we continue believing in those clear distinctions, and its consequences filter down to just about every aspect of our lives. It results in such horrible sentiments as: “That man deserved to die because of his crimes.” “That child deserved to be beaten because he misbehaved.” “The people of that country deserve to suffer because of its cruel leader.” “That nation deserves a military response because of their actions.” “Those people deserve to have AIDS because of their lifestyle.”
Even worse, many choose to pull God onto their side, in order to make some outrageous claims that we would be considered laughable if they weren’t so destructive. I shudder whenever I hear anyone suggest that AIDS was brought into this world as God’s punishment for homosexuality, or that sexually transmitted diseases are a divine punishment for promiscuity. It is nothing more than misguided jingoism to suggest that since we are a “Christian” nation, we have the divine right to drop bombs on other countries who don’t share our faith convictions. And I am horrified by preachers who see natural disasters as God’s punishment for human wickedness.
Against all of these warped ways of thinking, Walter Wink was very clear: Whenever you use the phrase “violence” and “deserve” in the same phrase, you have fallen for the myth of redemptive violence. And it is blatant blasphemy to suggest that God resorts to the same.
THE WAY OF THE CROSS
In contrast, Wink invited people to consider the words of Jesus. When someone strikes you, Jesus said, turn the other cheek. When someone takes your coat, give them your cloak as well. When someone forces you to walk a mile, walk a second mile with them. And to put it most clearly, Jesus said, “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.”
And then, remember Jesus’ actions. Consider all the violence inflicted upon him: the savage beatings, the unbearable humiliation, the inhumane torture. If anyone should have been entitled to assume the hero role and exact violent revenge on his enemies, it was Jesus. Yet he chose to respond with resurrection, not revenge. He did not say, “You’ll get yours;” he said, “Father, forgive them.” He did not trade punches, but he transformed lives, offering them new life instead of expediting death.
After all, Jesus’ death and resurrection were as much for that centurion who pierced his side as it was for you and me.
For followers of Jesus Christ, adhering to the myth of redemptive violence is never an option. Instead, we have the way of the cross. For on that cross, good triumphed over evil, not through the exercise of vengeful force, but through sacrificial love and self-sacrifice. Rather than demonstrating a love for power, which fuels redemptive violence on every level, just practiced a powerless love.
Last Thursday, the world lost a gentle spirit and a fierce prophet for peace. I invite you to honor him, and the God who loves him and loves us all, by choosing a more excellent way. A way of justice not served through violence, but one that is secured through the strength of compassion and the hope of transformation.
Grace and Peace, Indeed,
Magrey
The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
Email: mdevega@sp-umc.org
OFFICE CLOSED TODAY
ServiceMaster is conducting an ozone deodorizing process on the kitchen and dining hall today, so the building will be locked and the office closed until tomorrow. Please feel free to contact Andrea and me through email in the event of an emergency.
REMINDER: WORSHIP AT 9:30
We have now begun our summer worship schedule, with services beginning at 9:30 from now through Labor Day.
GRADUATION SUNDAY
Join us this Sunday to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating seniors. We give thanks to God for their achievements and pray God’s blessing upon their future.
FIRE RECOVERY UPDATE
Sanctuary: The painters have completed repainting the sanctuary and narthex and are working their way down the east entrance stairwell, and scaffolding is being removed by Grundman Hicks. The pew cushions have been removed to begin the process of replacing them, and we are reviewing possibilities for new carpet and upholstery. Because of the projected length of time to replace the cushions, it is now likely we will not be back in the sanctuary until the end of June or early July.
Kitchen and Fellowship Hall: On Wednesday, members of the Building Committee met with the architect, our insurance representative, and two mechanical engineers to continue plans for the renovations. In order to provide temporary food preparation and hospitality services in the church after we move back to the sanctuary, our insurance representative has authorized outfitting two new areas for basic food and beverage service. 1) Part of the Sunday school closet behind the narthex will be cleaned out for the installation of a new sink, counter top, and cabinetry in order to provide after church coffee and communion preparation. 2) The lower level basement will receive a new sink, counter top, cabinetry, microwave, and refrigerator, along with a new exit door, for use by our upcoming Vacation Bible School. That work has already begin and will continue over the next several weeks.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 18-22
This year’s theme is “Sky!” and promises to be the most exciting week ever! VBS is for kids ages 4 through completed 5th grade and will take place June 18-22, from 9am to 12pm. Registration continues this Sunday. We are in particular need of volunteer “crew leaders” whose job will be to guide the groups of kids from station to station every morning. Six more crew leaders will fill out all our volunteer needs for this year! Also, be sure to check out the VBS donation board in the community center so that you can provide supplies and food items and help defray costs. To help out, contact Karen Long, at karedlong@yahoo.com.
To view past editions of the Mid-Week Message, visit http://mdevega.blogspot.com
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