200 Christian Theologians & Ethicists Question the Nation's "Theology of War"

U.S. Newswire ^ | 10/22/04

[areafiftyone]

Conference Call: 200 Christian Theologians and Ethicists Question the Nation's "Theology of War" and the Ethics of War on Terrorism

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor, Religion Reporter

Contact: Deryl Davis, 202-328-8842 ext. 214 or ddavis@sojo.net, Deanna Murshed, 202-328-8842 ext. 257 or dmurshed@sojo.net both of Sojourners

News Advisory:

As the debate over the war on terrorism continues, 200 Christian theologians and ethicists today issued a new "Confession." Because of a deep and growing concern about an emerging national "theology of war," the increasingly frequent language of "righteous empire," and official claims of "divine appointment" for a nation in a "war" on terrorism, more than 200 seminary and college professors have signed "Confessing Christ in a World of Violence."

A media conference call with the initiators of the confession will be held today at 2 p.m. EDT on 866-865-2701, Code: 104238

Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners, explained: "A climate in which violence is too easily accepted, and the roles of God, church, and nation too easily confused, calls for a new confession of Christ. No nation-state may usurp the place of God." The statement identifies five points that are central for followers of Jesus, and rejections of the current teachings that nullify those points.

The key points of the confession are:

-- Jesus Christ knows no national boundaries. We reject the false teaching that any nation-state can ever be described with the words, "the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it."

-- Christ commits Christians to a strong presumption against war. We reject the false teaching that a war on terrorism takes precedence over ethical and legal norms.

-- Christ commands us to see not only the splinter in our adversary's eye, but also the beam in our own. We reject the false teaching that America is a "Christian nation," representing only virtue.

-- Christ shows us that enemy-love is the heart of the gospel. We reject the false teaching that any human being can be defined as outside the law's protection.

-- Christ teaches us that humility is the virtue befitting forgiven sinners. We reject the false teaching that those who are not for the United States politically are against it.

The statement concludes: "When the church is in danger of being co-opted by a theology of nationalism and militarism, we must faithfully confess Christ. We believe that peacemaking is central to our vocation in a troubled world where Christ is Lord."

The full statement and list of more than 200 signers is available online at: http://www.sojo.net/petition/signers

The statement was initiated by Richard B. Hays, Duke Divinity School; George Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary; Richard V. Pierard, Gordon College; Caryn D. Riswold, Illinois College; Glen Stassen, Fuller Theological Seminary; and Jim Wallis, Sojourners.

Signers come from a broad spectrum of schools, including Fuller Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, Gordon College, Wheaton College, Calvin College, Hope College, Harvard Divinity School, North Park Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries, Baylor University, Westmont College, Pepperdine University, Candler School of Theology, Interdenominational Theological Consortium, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southern Methodist University, Union Theological Seminary, and numerous others.

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Sojourners is a voice and vision for social change and publisher of award-winning Sojourners magazine, SojoMail e-zine, and www.sojo.net Web site. Founded in 1971 asa faith-based organization, Sojourners provides an alternative perspective on faith, politics, and culture through its monthly magazine, e-mail services, Web site, media commentaries, and public events. Ecumenical and progressive, Sojourners lifts up the biblical connection between social justice and spiritual renewal and nurtures community by bringing together people from the various traditions and streams of the church. Sojourners also hosts an annual program of voluntary service now in its twenty-first year.

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/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

[muawiyah]

Look, none of those guys are real Christians. In fact, some of them are not Christian at all. Most belong to Christian-origin sects that have strayed into pagan beliefs.

I can say that because there's a public record of their beliefs and activities.

You can respect them if you wish.