© 2015 The Wired Word
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A recent presidential poll puts Donald Trump at the head of the Republican
pack, partly because more of those polled say he's the man they trust to deal
with the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL or Daesh. As of December 4,
Trump had a 20-point lead over other Republicans and Republican-leaning
independents in a CNN/ORC International poll, with Republicans saying
overwhelmingly that he's the best man for the job to be commander-in-chief and
defeat ISIS (The Wired Word does not endorse any presidential
candidate).
Then, on December 7, Trump called for a "total and complete shutdown of
Muslims entering the United States," a dramatic response to the recent
terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino that have raised the anxiety
level of the American people. Trump released a statement saying that
"according to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards
Americans by large segments of the Muslim population."
It should be noted, however, that a 2013 Pew Research poll found that
concern about Islamic extremism is widespread among Muslims from South Asia to
the Middle East to sub-Saharan Africa. Across 11 Muslim populations surveyed by
the Pew Research Center, a median of 67 percent say they are somewhat or very
concerned about Islamic extremism. In five of these countries -- Pakistan,
Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey and Indonesia -- Muslim worries about extremism have
increased. So it is not clear which Pew Research findings Trump was citing in
his statement. However, the Pew figures do leave room for some Muslims
to be supportive of extremism.
On Sunday, President Barack Obama made a national address in which he called
on Americans "to reject religious tests on who we admit into this
country" -- a response to a call from Republican presidential candidates,
including Trump, to stop accepting Syrian refugees into the United States after
last month's terrorist attacks in Paris.
Obama described the mass shooting in San Bernardino as a terrorist attack by
a couple who had gone down the "dark path of radicalization" and
embraced a "perverted" form of Islam. "This was an act of
terrorism designed to kill innocent people," Obama said. "Here's what
I want you to know. The threat from terrorism is real, but we will overcome it.
We will destroy ISIL and any other organization that tries to harm us."
But Obama's speech did not describe the overhaul of a policy that critics say
is unable to overcome the terrorist threat.
Anxiety is running high among the American people, with fear of terrorism a
top concern. Some of this is justified, since ISIS has a long list of enemies
that it wants to destroy, from the United States to the Arab oil sheiks. ISIS
even wants to conquer Muslim countries such as Iran, Iraq and Syria. Fear is an
emotion with aspects that are both positive (when it motivates to protection)
and negative (when it paralyzes or is used to motivate irrational or
counterproductive behavior). We are told to "fear the Lord" above all
things, which should place other fears in perspective. But fear is an emotion
that Christians have faced in the past, and faithful people have found ways to
overcome fear that is irrational or counterproductive.
Novelist Marilynne Robinson makes two important observations about the
challenges we face today: "First, contemporary America is full of fear.
And second, fear is not a Christian habit of mind." She reminds us that as
children we learn to say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." And she points
out that after his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples, "Lo, I am with
you always, to the close of the age." Her conviction is that "Christ
is a gracious, abiding presence in all reality, and in him history will finally
be resolved."
Robinson does not deny that there are very real threats in the world today,
but she believes that as Christians "we are to fear not the death of our
bodies but the loss of our souls." As we face the threat of terrorism, it
is crucial that we maintain our faith in God, the one who walks beside us
through the valley of the shadow of death. Worse than physical death is
spiritual death, which can happen when we lose our connection with Jesus, the
one who is with us always, to the close of the age.
More on this story can be found at these links:
The Big Questions
1. Which aspects of your Christian faith help you to deal with fear? What
are some differences between fear and anxiety? How can the mission and ministry
of the church help to calm anxiety in an uncertain world?
2. Why are many American Christians suspicious of Muslims? What bridges can
be built between American Christians and American Muslims? If you have friends
who are practicing Muslims, what have you learned from them?
3. What steps need to be taken to degrade, defeat, and destroy ISIS? Will
victory come only through military action? Why or why not?
4. How can our political leaders lower the level of fear and anxiety being
felt by the American people? How can our religious leaders help? What
difference does it make that the risen Jesus is with us "to the end of the
age" (Matthew 28:20)?
5. According to Jerry Falwell Jr., president of Liberty University, students
should be armed and loaded to "end those Muslims before they walk in and kill" should
his university come under terrorist attack. Discuss.
6. After the killings in San Bernardino, people were criticized for offering
"thoughts and prayers." Critics called for action
instead of prayer. Where do you see value in prayer after a tragedy? What kind
of prayers do you offer, if any? Both Trump and his critics have called for
actions: How do you evaluate and choose among various proposed actions?
Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
Exodus 14:13
But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see
the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians
whom you see today you shall never see again." (For context, read
14:1-25.)
When the Israelites escape captivity in Egypt, Pharaoh and his army come
after them. The Israelites look back, and in great fear cry out to Moses,
"What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt?" (v. 11). They
say that it would be better for them to remain in slavery in Egypt than to die
in the wilderness. But Moses advises the people to put aside their fear, stand
firm, and wait for the Lord's deliverance. God divides the sea and the
Israelites are able to cross on dry ground.
Questions: Why is it difficult to remain faithful to God
during uncertain times? How can you "stand firm" in the face of a
threat? What sorts of deliverance -- whether physical, spiritual or emotional
-- does God offer in times of danger?
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are
with me; your rod and your staff -- they comfort me. (For context, read
23:1-6.)
The "darkest valley" might be a terminal illness. A terror alert.
A death in the family. A betrayal by a friend. A marital problem. The loss of a
job. A failure in a business venture. Whatever the darkest valley, Psalm 23
promises that our shepherd God is with us, offering the comfort of a rod and a
staff. And while God's "rod" makes sense as a shepherd's tool, it
also signifies royal authority. This rod is the scepter of a shepherd king,
with power over anything that can hurt us.
Questions: Where have you felt God beside you in a dark
valley? What protection did God offer from evil? How would you describe the
comfort of the shepherd's rod and staff?
Psalm 56:4
In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can
flesh do to me? (For context, read 56:1-13.)
Psalm 56 describes accurately what it feels like when foes oppress us and
"enemies trample on [us] all day long" (v. 2). But it also asserts,
"when I am afraid, I put my trust in [God]" (v. 3). The psalm-writer
questions whether a "mere mortal" can destroy him, and affirms that
trust in God is an antidote to fear (v. 11).
Questions: When have you felt trampled by enemies? How have
you experienced faith as an antidote to fear? In what sense is it impossible
for mere mortals to destroy us?
Matthew 10:28
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear
him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (For context, read
10:26-33.)
Jesus is more concerned about spiritual death than physical death. He
assures his followers that their heavenly Father cares for them, and encourages
them to "not be afraid" (v. 31). He challenges them to proclaim his
message and to acknowledge him before others. If they do, Jesus promises to
acknowledge them "before my Father in heaven" (v. 32).
Questions: Where do you see the threat of spiritual death
today? How can you share the message of Jesus and acknowledge him in the world?
In what ways, if any, does a shift from body to spirit help you to feel less
fear?
John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
(For context, read 1:1-5.)
Jesus is the Word of God who was "in the beginning with God" (v.
2). He played a role in the creation of the universe, and created everything
including the life that "was the light of all people" (v. 4). This
light shines brightly even today, and cannot be overcome by darkness.
Questions: What confidence do you gain from Jesus being
part of God's creation of the entire universe? What is the significance of his
light being able to conquer darkness? How can you share his light today?
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ
Jesus. (For context, read 4:4-9.)
The apostle Paul has suffered persecution as a missionary, but still he
rejoices in the Lord. In every circumstance, he recommends giving thanks and
lifting requests to God in prayer. He promises that the peace of God will guard
our "hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7), and recommends that we
maintain a focus on positive qualities such as justice, purity and excellence
(v. 8).
Questions: Although many Americans are scared about what
lies ahead for us, what value do you see in rejoicing in the Lord? How can
prayer help us in times of uncertainty and threat? While you remain watchful
and aware, how can you focus on positive qualities instead of negative
emotions? What is the benefit of doing so?
For Further Discussion
1. When have you reacted in fear to a political, economic and/or spiritual
crisis? Did you remain in a state of fear? If not, what helped you reassess the
situation?
2. During World War II, loyal and patriotic American citizens were taken
from their homes and put in internment camps because they were of Japanese
descent. The attack at Pearl Harbor and the political situation prior to that
war were much more dire, yet it is still considered a black mark on our history
that the internment camps were ever authorized. How does the current situation
compare with that of the past? What lesson might we learn from the past that
might help us in the present?
3. TWW team member Henry Brinton is friends with a Muslim imam who recently
said, "If ISIS is Islam, then I am not a Muslim." How do you
understand ISIS to be a perversion of true Islam? What can peace-loving Muslims
do about ISIS? What can you do to protest perversions of true Christianity?
4. The author of 1 John asserts that "there is no fear in love, but
perfect love casts out fear" (4:18). Where do you see evidence in the
world that "perfect love casts out fear"? What can you do to be more
loving in situations where you are afraid?
5. Brother Curtis of the Society of St. John the Evangelist suggests that we
pray for the conversion of our anxiety. Because, he says, when anxiety is
converted, you know what it becomes? It becomes hope. What exactly would it mean for God to
"convert our anxiety"? How could hope be a force for good in our
world today?
6. A command that appears 67 times throughout the Bible is "Do not be
afraid" (for example, Genesis 15:1, Luke 1:30). Why do you think God and
his messengers give this command? What would it mean for us to respond to such
an order today? How would refusing to be afraid change our lives?
Responding to the News
As you follow news about terrorist threats and listen to presidential
candidates offer their proposals, reflect on the ways in which people of faith
have responded to uncertainty and danger in the past. Realize that God's people
have faced adversity in every era. Trust that God will walk beside you in the
darkest valley, and put your time and energy into visible acts of love in your
community.
Closing Prayer
God, we live in an uncertain time, with dangers all around us. Convert our
anxiety into hope, transform our fear into faith, and help us to be your people
in the world. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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