He who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do his will, and walk in his commandments, and love what he loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, falsewitness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing," or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in his teaching: "Judge not, that ye be not judged; forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again; and once more, "Blessed are the poor, and those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God." ( Philippians 2)
Pray also for kings, and potentates, and princes, and for those that persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, that your fruit may be manifest to all, and that ye may be perfect in him. (Philippians 12)
According to Polycarp (direct disciple of the Apostle John), the response of God’s people to religious persecution (which in the Roman world was is no way distinct from political persecution) is not to fight for freedom but to pray for those responsible for the attacks. This is with a view to the church’s witness, and to the church’s call to holiness from the world. Note also that the Roman symbol of domination (the cross) is turned against the Romans. The Romans, who use “the cross” to stamp out subversive associations, are called the “enemies of the cross.” The “cross” has become the symbol of power for the Christians. In their suffering lies their defeat of injustice and every kind of evil.
Labels: Early Christians, Nonviolence, Pacifism
1 Comments:
Just a few quick notes on Polycarp. The writing known as Martyrdom of Polycarp is an excellent resource when examined. The focus of the text was to display an example of true martyrdom; Polycarp's was the perfect example "since it was in accord with the pattern of the gospel of Christ" (Mart. of Poly., xix.1). So Polycarp's actions were showcased with no less the attitude "This is how it should be."
Some significant and relevant points:
From the letter itself, the author made the point "the mounted police and horsemen set out, armed with their usual weapons as though chasing after an armed rebel (ληστην τρεχοντες)" (vii.1, emphasis mine). This has two connections. First, the obvious contrast: Polycarp was in no way an armed rebel. He was no physical threat. Second, the obvious connection the writer made with Mt. xvi.55: "Then Jesus said to the crowd, 'Am I some dangerous revolutionary (ληστην), that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me?'" (NLT) Again, in order to serve as an example for Christians under persecution the author wanted to emphasize any instances patterned after Christ.
"So when [Polycarp] heard that [the police force, persecutors] had arrived, he went down and talked with them . . . Then he immediately ordered that a table be set for them to eat and drink . . . and he asked them to grant him an hour so that he might pray undisturbed" (vii.2).
"Thus failing to persuade him, they began to utter threats and made him dismount in such a hurry that he bruised his shin as he got down from the carriage. And without even turning around, he went on his way eagerly and quickly as if nothing had happened to him" (viii.3). Exemplary again of the nonresistant attitude underlying Polycarp's actions.
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