This is What Standing Up to the Powers Looks Like

In 2004, I had the chance to meet Elbon Kilpatrick, a minister, former prison chaplain and antiwar activist and someone who had made tremendous personal sacrifices in order to conform his actions to his beliefs.

This week, he had a brief piece on the new Jesus Radicals site talking about his practice of protesting war outside of churches in the American south. I will let Elbon tell the story

I protest in front of small rural churches and large city churches.  The church responses to the protests – no matter the size or denomination – are usually the same:

• “You couldn’t stand there if Christians didn’t fight to protect your/our freedom of speech.”

• “God commanded the killing of enemies in the Old Testament and calls us to obey the civil authorities which includes going to war against this country’s enemies.”

• “We are required to defend ourselves.  Do you think we should allow the Muslims to invade and conquer us?  Would allow someone to break into your home and kill your wife and children?

• “Jesus taught us to love personal enemies – not national enemies.”

• Physical responses:  shouting profanities, church members surrounding me so others cannot see the sign, and extending a closed fist with an extended middle finger.

• Call the police.  This happens at most of the protests.  No arrest is made because the protests are a protected citizen right.  However, a municipality may require the obtaining of a permit prior to the protest so police may maintain order by planning for supervision of the protest.  If this is the case, the police will provide the information on how the permit may be obtained when they respond to the call.

My response to these arguments or actions is the following:

Jesus commanded the love of enemies.  He gave a new commandment to love one another as he loved us (John 15:12).  By giving us this new commandment he made himself the model of love – an unconditional love for not only friends but also enemies.  When Jesus told his followers to take up their crosses and follow him he showed them/us how to bear their/our crosses by bearing his cross.  Jesus prayed mercy and forgiveness for his enemies while they murdered him.  Therefore, Jesus does not teach an ethics of survival by defending ourselves and others against personal or national enemies.

I was deeply moved by Elbon when I met him and I continue to be now. And I am humbled. We all talk about the Gospel, but this is what it looks like to live it.