On May 16, 2012 by

Eye-Deep In Lies

prophet-isaiah-1968

Eye-Deep In Lies
by Blindman At The Gate

Why is it that if we dare to envision a world without war
(A hope offered humanity by the prophet Isaiah bar Amoz)
We’re considered hopelessly naïve or even treasonous?

Why is it that everyone knows Jesus taught the way of nonviolence
(Just read the Sermon on the Mount and you’ll see what I mean)
Except those who most vociferously call themselves Christians?

Why is it that a clear renunciation of war is called cowardly
(Suggest killing enemies is not the way and see what happens)
When following the crowd has never required any courage?

Why is it we’re suspicious of those called peacemakers
(Ask brave Daniel Ellsberg, he’ll tell you all about it)
When the One we worship is called the Prince of Peace?

Why is it we believe the coming of Christ will bring the reign of peace
(For we do confess that someday the lion will lay down with the lamb)
But in the mean time act as if we must preserve war as long as possible?

Why are those who renounce war and embrace peace called stupid
(“The poor dolts don’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain”)
When Einstein said, “I’m not only a pacifist, but a militant pacifist”?

Why am I even bothering to talk about the topic of peace
(“Shouldn’t he be preaching the gospel or something?”)
When I know good and well it will only cause me grief?

 

 

A fellow who goes by the weird name Blindman at the Gate composed this brief meditation after learning that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reports that 18 combat veterans commit suicide every day.

(The painting is Isaiah by Marc Chagall)

  • http://brianzahnd.com Brian Zahnd

    A fellow who goes by the weird name Blindman at the Gate wrote this brief meditation after learning that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reports that 18 combat veterans commit suicide every day.

  • PrairieParson

    The Blind Man At The Gate just preached the Gospel.

  • Phil Ebersole

    Yes. Yes. Yes. And, it is a perplexing dynamic that so many who are adamant about the centrality of Jesus will gloss over or evade these very things said/done by Jesus- God incarnate.

  • Tsully

    Not Sure this is an answer of everyone but it has been my journey. We “want “war because it gives us a sense of control. We really don’t trust the justice of God in the world and so we feel the need to bring our own justice, and many times that comes through war and violence. Another area that I have examined in myself is the idea that we “want” war to preserve a way of life. The ironic thing is that we will preserve a way of life at the expense of life. Which is more important the way of life that I have or the life of the one that was just killed by my bullet?

  • Tikkaman

    Tripe. All of this. Life is war of one variety or another (or several varieties for many). Christ will make peace as He is the only one who can but not before He engages in one last war. Not one He began but one He will finish. There is a type of paganism in this “anti-war” movement stuff. As a Christian I war every day against my flesh. I will turn my other cheek to the brute who insults me but I will defend my child’s life from physical attack of a godless mad man. Is that war? Yes it is. And I thank Jesus for those who are willing to defend my life against godless mad men. Now don’t drag this into a “is this war justified” tangent. Those discussions are legitimate but never in the context of an anti-war mindset.

  • http://brianzahnd.com Brian Zahnd

    Dear Tikkaman

    You say you wage war against the flesh
    Every day.
    That’s where James says war comes from,
    Every time.
    To wage a war against fleshly passions
    Is to wage war on war.
    Bottom line.
    Not “tripe”–
    But the way of the Lamb.

  • Mike Miller

    Why is it that if we dare to envision a world without war
    (A hope offered humanity by the prophet Isaiah bar Amoz)
    We’re considered hopelessly naïve or even treasonous?

    Answer: Because we know that Satan is the god of this world and he entices evil men to kill, steal and destroy. As for “treasonous” – that is mostly a propaganda mantra from the left that attempts to portray the majority of those for the active defense of country, family and neighbor as bigots that cry treason – when the majority does not.

    Why is it that everyone knows Jesus taught the way of nonviolence
    (Just read the Sermon on the Mount and you’ll see what I mean)
    Except those who most vociferously call themselves Christians?

    Answer: We all know from the complete overview of Jesus’ teachings that Christians should strive to live peaceably with all men. However, Jesus did not teach pacifism. Self-defense and the defense of the defenseless is a noble and worthy act.

    Why is it that a clear renunciation of war is called cowardly
    (Suggest killing enemies is not the way and see what happens)
    When following the crowd has never required any courage?

    Answer: Renounce all you want, it doesn’t make you cowardly. Nor does it necessarily make you spiritually correct. Not all wars or military actions are good or even expedient. The Christian should inform themselves as much as possible and act out of their convictions. By the same token, to renounce all wars and military action(s) is close-minded and silly, as we know that evil men control weapons of mass destruction and they will do as their father (Satan) instructs them. As for “courage: in the context you just used it in, if you (BZ) have never performed any military service you are clueless as to what a coward is or is not.

    Why is it we’re suspicious of those called peacemakers
    (Ask brave Daniel Ellsberg, he’ll tell you all about it)
    When the One we worship is called the Prince of Peace?

    Answer: For every Daniel Ellsberg there is an insidious spy.

    You are taking Jesus’ title as Prince of Peace completely out of context.Jesus is our spiritual peace. We have peace with God through Jesus. His title has nothing to do with this context – physical peace between men and nations. Again, you are confusing or deliberately blurring the two. Jesus also said he came with a sword, even bringing enmity as a divider to force decision. Will he be a peacemaker when he comes back in Revelation 19? Will He rule the nations by force during His Messianic Kingship? Of course. War is necessary and even moral in some cases and Jesus clearly acknowledges that.

    Why is it we believe the coming of Christ will bring the reign of peace
    (For we do confess that someday the lion will lay down with the lamb)
    But in the mean time act as if we must preserve war as long as possible?

    Answer: It is disingenuous of you to assume that all or even the majority of Christians want to preserve or compel war. Evidently you are painting Christians in the same broad manner as the left wing media does, since you must be enlightened – as they also claim.

    Why are those who renounce war and embrace peace called stupid
    (“The poor dolts don’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain”)
    When Einstein said, “I’m not only a pacifist, but a militant pacifist”?

    Answer: There are worse things than pacifism. For instance, a man that will not defend his life, his family’s lives, his innocent neighbor’s life and his right to live a peaceable, free life.

    Why am I even bothering to talk about the topic of peace

    (“Shouldn’t he be preaching the gospel or something?”)

    When I know good and well it will only cause me grief?

    Preaching the Gospel is ALWAYS expedient, as IT is the ONLY thing that actually brings PEACE. As for grief, you seem to ask for it with all of the half-truths you’ve uttered here only for the sake of self-aggrandizement.