The clip is sort of piecemeal, which makes it hard to track Hauerwas' stream of consciousness. But, I think his essential point is clear and compelling. Even if you're not totally sold on non-violence (although I'm trending that way personally), the call for Christians to provide an alternative "indoctrination" is as compelling as it is convicting. How should we help other people envision and encounter the peace which Jesus's ultimate act of self-sacrifice was designed to bring about?
Also, I thought his observation about "lack of confession" was really good.
"Part of listening may be helping those who have trouble telling us what they want to tell become articulate by providing language that otherwise might not be there—such as 'this is confession.'"
Reply
BD
3/15/2013 12:17:31 am
Completely agree with your sentiments. I couldn't tell at particular points in the clip if he was speaking of "conceal and carry" folks or just of the those in the armed forces. I believe his thoughts would apply to both.
It would seem that a church, whether it took a stance of non-violence or not, would need in our current militaristic culture (I use militaristic not primarily to refer to the military although it is a component of the current culture. I really see the militarism in popular culture through video games, ultimate fighting, etc.) to genuinely and deeply weigh the matter. So that we are able to have a "doctrine" to "indoctrinate" people concerning this matter. Well, maybe, "doctrine" is not the right idea here. Perhaps, application of a "doctrine," such as, Jesus's sacrifice which you mentioned to the matter of taking another human being's life whether in self-defense or in battle.
I was especially convicted by his statement that the church should be "at least as morally serious as the military."