Why Advocating Armed Violence Never Works Out

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/was-a-church-going-daddys-girl-arrested-because-she-likes-to-blow-up-toilets-on-her-property/

Making the rounds of the Atlanta-area blogs and news outlets this week is the story of Celia Savage, a 23-year-old Georgia woman who has run afoul of the ATF. Based on the story linked above (and, considering that The Blaze has ties to Glenn Beck, we're probably not getting the whole story), it looks as if this young lady is mostly harmless, but it looks as if she's definitely in over her head thanks to some poor decisions.


Celia was apparently a bit of a popular contributor to Youtube, posting videos of herself blowing up toilets on her own property with homemade bombs. This in and of itself probably wouldn't have gotten the ATF's attention - Youtube has more than its share of videos of people people blowing stuff up - were it not for the fact that Celia is also a vocal advocate of violent revolution. At least, if her Facebook page is to believed. Describing herself as a "Christian Anarchist," Celia's Facebook page contained quotes that seem to support the belief that Celia may be an advocate of violence. Again, Christians advocating anarchy (though undoubtedly rare) are probably not worthy of the ATF's attention. But when her [alleged] violent anarchist beliefs are combined with documented tendencies to blow things up (and, as one of her supporters alleges, an anonymous tip from someone who holds a grudge against her), the ATF takes notice.


For the record, I hope Celia gets off. Not because I support violent anarchists or homemade pipe bombs; rather, I think Celia is probably just an enthusiastic young lady who has made some poor choices and wound up in a situation that is far bigger than she imagined.


But Celia's case raises a bigger issue; namely, the idea that Christians are right to advocate violence against the government. As a liberty-minded Christian, I share the concerns of many Christians about intrusive government. However, I reject the ideas of those who advocate violence. Consider these points:


1. There is no call in Scripture for Christians to violently oppose government. In Acts 1, Jesus' disciples began to question Him after the resurrection. The first question asked of Jesus (that Luke records) concerned violent revolution: "Then they gathered around him and asked him, 'Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?'" (Acts 1:6, NIV) The disciples had hoped Jesus would lead Israel in a violent revolution against Rome. Their hopes had been dashed at the crucifixion, but with a resurrected Jesus the disciples were right back in their revolutionary mindset. Jesus, of course, refused to allow His life and ministry to be used as an excuse for violence, reminding the disciples instead that "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth." (Acts 1:8, NIV). Elsewhere in the New Testament, when Christians run afoul of the government, they either accept their punishment as an honor to suffer in Christ's name (Romans 8:17) or appeal to existing government processes for remedy (Acts 25:11).


2. Violence just leads to more violence. Far more often than any Christian would like to admit, Christians are just as guilty of aggression and violence as others. Recent sectarian violence in Nigeria (http://www.voanews.com/content/nigerian-religious-leaders-work-to-stop-sectarian-violence-in-north/1146367.html) has led to at least 700 deaths as Christians retaliate against Muslims for crimes committed against Christians. Which then leads to Muslims committing violence against Christians in retaliation, which then leads to Christians committing violence against Muslims in retaliation, etc. This cycle continues to play out elsewhere in the world: Egypt (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15235212); Northern Ireland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles); and even in the US (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence). In Ephesians, Paul calls on Christians to eschew violence and instead embrace love, saying "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:24)


3. Peace works just as well as violence. There is a reason Dr. Martin King Jr. is remembered with a federal holiday while Malcolm X remains a historical footnote. Dr. King effected social change through peaceful means, while Malcolm X advocated violence. Consider, for example, the seminal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Neither bombs, nor riots, nor vandalism, nor any other violent means brought about the end to the segregation of Montgomery's buses. Instead, peaceful resisters used peaceful means (namely, boycotting the buses and cooperating with each other to lessen the negative impact that the boycott would have on them personally), the Montgomery bus system was crippled financially and blacks ultimately won a victory over hate. This victory was obtained not through violent revolution, but through peaceful evolution.


If we, as Christians, feel wronged or threatened by our government, violence is not the means to make our voices heard. Instead, we must imitate Christ's example of peace.