Robert R. Cargill
Contributing Writer
I was surprised to see the full-page, paid advertisement in the Graphic (Aug. 30 issue, B7) that depicted a 1917 letter from A. G. Freed to then President Woodrow Wilson. Such a letter is a welcomed glimpse into the diverse and variegated history of the American Restoration Movement, of which the Churches of Christ are a part.
I certainly do not wish to rekindle anew the pacifist debate within the pages of the Graphic. As Arvy Freed’s 1917 letter shows, there are numerous verses within the biblical text that can support a platform of pacifism. Indeed, the majority of the teachings and actions of Jesus and his disciples were of a peaceful and non-retaliatory nature.
Additionally, a strong case can be made for several popular, albeit alternative, pacifist, celibate, and communalist movements in the early Second Century C.E. — a period of time that the American Restoration Movement held in high regard. Pacifism, celibacy, and communalist ideologies certainly represent some of the early interpretations of the biblical text, but should not be touted as the sole, primary, unifying, or even majority positions within the Churches of Christ or within Christendom either in antiquity or in the Church today.
While I disagree with many historical Church of Christ sectarians, who
regularly and consistently condemned the evils of mixed dancing, women’s participation in worship, instrumental music, and whose sectarian beliefs limited salvation solely to those within the Churches of Christ, I do respect those men who rejected “kingdoms of this world” in their entirety. Not only did some seek blanket exemption from the military draft and service, but they also rejected the use of services provided by the United States (a “kingdom of this earth”) and even spoke ardently against political activism on behalf of any political party seeking ascendancy within the American earthly kingdom. David Lipscomb went so far as to advocate against voting in elections, warning that mere participation in the political mechanisms of the kingdoms of this earth is tantamount to an endorsement of their activities.
I have no problem with the facsimile of Freed’s letter. I have no problem with pacifism. I do however question the timing of this unclaimed, paid advertisement. I understand that it was the anniversary of Freed’s letter. But I also cannot help but think that maybe, just maybe, a small fraction of the timing has to do with the fact that we find ourselves in an election year and a number of those among us identifying with Democrats, Independents, and others who support the left-leaning segment of the greatest “kingdom of this earth” simply don’t like President Bush, don’t like Republicans, and will use the Bible, and in this case, a minority movement within the “conservative body” of the Churches of Christ, to try and sway the minds of voters and thereby the results of an election. A paid advertisement cannot be mere coincidence.
My specific concern is that I failed to see this kind of full-page, paid, anti-military protest when Democratic President Bill Clinton was busy attacking Afghanistan and Sudan (August 1998), Iraq (December 1998), and Kosovo and Serbia (March 1999). Perhaps my subscription to the Graphic was not paid up during President Clinton’s presidency and I missed these full-page advertisements. I certainly don’t remember seeing this strong and this sustained of a biblically-based anti-war, anti-government appeal when a Democrat was in the White House. I did not see campus-wide colloquia and faculty-led debates bemoaning the use of military force when a Democrat was lobbing cruise missiles at “military targets” overseas. One can only hope that similar outrage is shown towards Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, who volunteered to take up arms against our fellow men participate in the carnal warfare of the Vietnam War should he win the presidency. Let us also hope that those who desire to use the Bible to make political statements at least make some attempt to temper their partisan political stances with a shield of consistency.
09-09-2004