Column by Josh Butler

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Columns | Send mail to The Voice Church's apocalyptic language in war time is disturbing I am not a pacifist, and I'm not writing in protest of the war. On one hand, I think we've spoiled a great deal of our international diplomacy, and I wonder if we've counted the true cost, both at home and abroad, of our present action. But on the other hand, I consider Saddam a menace, and, well, if you're the Roman empire, it's probably a good idea to get rid of Attila the Hun before he comes knocking on your back door. But I am disturbed by the apocalyptic language being used in defense of our action. At one church, the pastor exhorted us to stand firm for the "justice and righteousness of God" right now manifest in the U.S. war on Iraq. At Multnomah, I recently saw signs for prayer on behalf of "God, America and Israel," obviously paralleling the agendas of the three. Finally, I saw a Fox newscast in which Kandahar was referred to as the "belly of the beast," and in which an anchor said "Hallelujah" to the arrival of the Marines. This was reminiscent of Rev. 19, where the city of Babylon has fallen before the army of God (a.k.a. the U.S. Marines?). I tend to be a bit critical of main- stream trends in eschatology; so I have trouble keeping quiet at this point. As I consider the war in Iraq, I think of a different passage in the book of Revelation: Rev. 13:4, where John asks, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" In terms of long-term historical processes, global secular empire, and the present massive display of arms and firepower, I must confess I find that the West better represents the identity of the Beast in Revelation. And much of the response of the world, the United States, and frighteningly, the church is like that foreseen by John. "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" So again, I'm not writing to speak out against the war. But I remember my mom once remarking that she always wondered how events seem- ingly so obvious as those in Revelation could occur without anybody realizing it. Perhaps now we know. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Columns | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2003 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.