Sean Major-Campbell | War maker or peacemaker

On this fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, the appointed Old Testament lesson is set in Micah Chapter 6:1-8. However, verses 9 to 16 are such an important reminder of who the wicked are. The wicked, evil, wealthy parade their disregard for morality and decency. Heartless inhumanity is the fabric of the emperor’s new clothes.

Many have been misled by the displacement of evil onto those despised by the powerful. Lying is the order of the day. An era of conspiracy theories has given way to blatant and bare-faced lying, in high places.

The prophetic tradition of holy scripture, however, refuses to demean the poor, the weak, the oppressed, and the broken hearted.

In Micah 6:9-12, these words still ring true today: “ The voice of the Lord cries to the city (it is sound wisdom to fear your name): Hear, O tribe and assembly of the city! Can I forget the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is accursed? Can I tolerate wicked scales and a bag of dishonest weights? Your wealthy are full of violence; your inhabitants speak lies, with tongues of deceit in their mouths.”

Even across the Caribbean, many have found it easier to define evil in relation to despised minorities. The self-righteous have decided that the sex worker, the sexual and gender minority, and any woman owning bodily autonomy, are all the enemies of society. Classism and racism are also excused as the agents of wickedness do daily memes of bible verses and grand prayers across the social media landscape.

The prophet Micah invited a reflection on how Israel forgot how God had brought God’s people out of slavery. He reminded them of Balak, king of Moab, an enemy of Israel who hired Balaam to curse Israel. Micah also recalled God’s saving presence in the crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

Israel’s response resonates with the reality of those who make religion and spirituality a great burden. In the litigation proceedings, Israel asks a number of questions in Micah 6:6-7. “ With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

Today we also see self-righteous religious folks with grand ideas about what is godly, holy, and righteous. Many of the “blessed and highly favoured” are among the quickest to judge and condemn others.

The Prophet Micah presents wisdom. The questions are not important. A long list of rules and laws is not presented. Instead, the timeless message in affirmation of our best humanity lived in the image of God is, “ He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Jesus’ Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 are so fitting for times in which we live. What would happen if we were guided by these teachings? Consider for a moment: “ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Is this a position against the war makers? If peacemakers will be called children of God, what will war makers be called? Are you a peacemaker in the home, at work, in your community?

While it is okay for you to be confident in your walk of faith, the wise learn from Jesus’ sermon on the mount in these powerful words: “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Individuals, religious groups, religious leaders, political leaders, should spend some time with this teaching.

To be poor in spirit is to recognise your dependence on God. Those who are filthy rich tend to be so “independent” that they are prone to lack any appreciation for interdependence which calls for positive interpersonal relationships. The poor and the oppressed are more likely to depend on outside help to overcome the challenges of being dependent on earthly powers.

King Nebuchadnezzar presents us with an example of one who was ruthless. His selfish ambitions, cruelty, and pride, characterised his rule. Christian theology presents us with the argument from what is called the “permissive will of God”. This is different from the “perfect will of God”. The former is what is allowed, though not in accordance with the character of God. The latter is understood to be the divine will for the created order. My personal view is that the permissive will argument is problematic.

Why would a just God need to allow or use injustice to accomplish God’s purpose? Would this not bring the morality of God into question? And then there is the matter of Christians using the permissive will argument to excuse away the wretched, cruel, inhumane acts of political leaders whom they support! A popular statement is the reminder that “David was a man after God’s own heart.” I am suggesting that a better humanity which we do possess could make a better choice for better outcomes!

If we are going to advance human rights and dignity for a better world, we are going to have to take responsibility for the choices that we make. Unless we believe that God allows us to robotically function at the ballot, we had better engage a way of being that ‘does justice, loves kindness, and walks humbly with God’.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com.