Now that I have settled the yoga pants debate once and for all, I press on to a more pressing subject and that is the subject of peace. Starting in July, I will be teaching the adult bible class at my church on non-violence using the book of Exodus.
At the outset, Exodus may seem like a strange choice to facilitate a discussion on non-violence considering that there is considerable violence in the Exodus story. However, the violence in Exodus and much of the Old Testament only reaffirms the ancient truth that violence only makes things worse, that violence is corrosive.
Never does Israel become more faithful, never does Israel's prosper when carrying out violence by their own hand. It is only when God goes before them into the battle does Israel succeed, only when Israel puts their full trust in God do they flourish. In fact, Israel finds itself conquered and led into exile anytime it chose to adopt the violent and oppressive practices of the other nations.
Now why does God chose to carry out violence against the other nations? That's a great question, and one I'm not sure that I will ever fully comprehend. Regardless, the story of Exodus for me is more than a excursion towards freedom, but a journey towards non-violence culminating in the formation of the Ten Commandments. For in the Ten Commandments one finds safeguards against those evils that inevitably lead to violence.
Whether it be idolatry, disobedience, adultery, covetness, or falsehood, each make us increasingly susceptible to acts of violence in efforts to steal, hide, or protect that which we love more than anything or anyone. The Ten Commandments represent God's effort bring Israel out from the violent existence it knew in Egypt and into the reality that God intended from the beginning. A reality of peace, a reality of non-violence.
Whether at home or aboard, our world seems to grow more violent with each passing day. Now if the problem of violence has its roots in the Fall and its giving rise to great evil, then perhaps the solution to violence has its origins in profound good like the Ten Commandments and its giving credence to non-violence. At least that's what I hope the class will show.
CJE