It’s not so easy in this day and age of media influence to keep perspective. In the West we live a fairly comfortable (in comparison with millions across the world) existence, in a bubble if you will. When this kingdom of comfort is threatened we are vulnerable and angry at such threats.

What happened in Manchester on Monday is horrendous and incredibly upsetting. We should not forget, however, that examples of this and worse happen every day in the Middle East and someone somewhere is going to look for somebody to blame. History paints a grim picture, as Mike has said, of atrocities in the name of faith perpetrated by supposed followers of the Cross.

There is no easy answer to any level of reconciliation. Voices in the Muslim community are starting to make their voices heard which is essential. More of the same please. In the meantime, let’s not forget about false wars over non-existent WMD’s and the expansion of the Christian empire in days gone by. This is all that huge swathes of people hear about and witness in these war torn countries.

Peace to you all…

I penned a rezponse focusing on what I think it points to in a larger theological environment focused in the mission of God with implications for our current situation. Somehow I lost the response. In my posting it.

I think your letter also reflects very important key praxis voncerns that reflect on the support Christians have given to military action of our nations during Christendom.

It also raises issues Greg Boyd and NT Wright are moving us toward to – at the very least – consider.

As I hear and see rhetoric coming from Christians in Australia, UK and USA I believe this topic of “redemptive violence” is an overarching theme that needs humble consideration.

Are you aware of Greg Boyd’s new two volume work?

Anyway I will respond tomorrow.

But thanks.

This is not a minor issue.

Jesus taught against an eye for an eye …

The difference is that Jesus taught against an eye for an eye whilst Mohammed upheld it. People of any creed can do evil but the problem lies in the teaching of the leader. True follows of the teachings of Christ can’t justify violence from his teachings, true followers of Mohammed can…

Then you must operate in a very small and godly circle of Christians, Angelo. Because I know a great many Christians who believe in the death penalty and who support widespread military strikes against Syria. I know Christians who prefer ‘an eye for an eye’ over ‘love your neighbor’. I know a great many Christians who believe violence can be used to bring a redemptive outcome to the world’s problems. For me to say the church has been addicted to the myth of redemptive violence is neither wrong nor contemptuous nor even original. A great many theologians such as Walter Wink and Stanley Hauerwas have written extensively on this matter. I’m tempted to suggest you should get out more, but I kinda envy you living in a christian community that doesn’t think violence will solve things.