Friday, November 07, 2003
(1:47 PM) | Adam Kotsko:
Biblical Insights into Contemporary Political Problems
Readers of the New Testament are often struck by the lack of textual support for massive wars of conquest. In this time of aggressive war in the United States, a nominally Christian country, faithful Christians might pose an obstacle to public acceptance foreign policy. Where is a leader to turn for advice on how to pacify potentially dangerous religious groups?
He need look no further than the Old Testament book of Ezra. At the outset of this book, the elites of the kingdom of Judah have lived for fifty years in exile in Babylon. A new ruler, Cyrus, takes over the Babylonian empire, and in an effort to unify his empire -- not by cultural dominance, not by pure military force, but by the bond of gratitude -- he sends these elites back to reestablish the city of Jerusalem and the temple dedicated to the worship of YHWH. The local powers surrounding Judah, suspicious of the new arrivals, send the current emperor, now Artaxerxes, the following message:
12 The king should know that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.
13 Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty will be paid, and the royal revenues will suffer. 14 Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, 15 so that a search may be made in the archives of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place of rebellion from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. 16 We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates. (From Ezra chapter 4)
Let's assume these accusations are true and that the Jews would be a potentially rebellious group. Later history, especially from the Roman period, would seem to bear this out. Perhaps Artaxerxes would be best off weakening this group by not allowing them to establish a center of power. His first inclination is to believe the enemies of the Jews, but after searching through the royal archives, he finds his predecessor's original decree and enforced it.
8 Moreover, I hereby decree what you are to do for these elders of the Jews in the construction of this house of God:
The expenses of these men are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury, from the revenues of Trans-Euphrates, so that the work will not stop. 9 Whatever is needed-young bulls, rams, male lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, and wheat, salt, wine and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem-must be given them daily without fail, 10 so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the God of heaven and pray for the well-being of the king and his sons.
11 Furthermore, I decree that if anyone changes this edict, a beam is to be pulled from his house and he is to be lifted up and impaled on it. And for this crime his house is to be made a pile of rubble. 12 May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.
I Darius have decreed it. Let it be carried out with diligence. (Ezra chapter 5)
Not only does he allow them to have their temple, but he himself pays for it. They now have their own power center and their own proper worship, and they owe it all to the generosity of the king -- the king becomes a vessel of God's will.
So how do you pacify the Christians? Let them have their stupid worship services. In fact, if you really want to pacify them, try to give them money for their evangelistic crusades and make a show of believing everything they believe. Then, whatever freedom they have to exercise their religion will be a gift from the ruler, and when that ruler needs help, the Christians will be eager to come to his aid.
Thus, no matter what the Constitution says, I think the federal government needs to be directly funding religious schools and the building of churches. The way to unify the people is not simply by the rule of law, but through cultivating the feeling of absolute dependence.
