On Monday night I tuned in to CSPAN to watch the speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. To be perfectly honest, I had a hard time staying awake (really long day). The most intriguing part of the speech/debate/event on the campus of Columbia University was the comments made by Columbia's President Lee Bollinger immediately before Ahmadinejad took the stage.
His introduction was logical, passionate and blistering. He stressed the need for those present to listen and engage in the free exchange of ideas with respect and civility, even if the presenter held reprehensible beliefs.
As I listened to the introduction I immediately wondered what Jesus would have said if he had been given the opportunity to introduce the man who has denied the existence of the holocaust and has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
Given the whole "love your enemies thing" what do you think Jesus would have said?
His introduction was logical, passionate and blistering. He stressed the need for those present to listen and engage in the free exchange of ideas with respect and civility, even if the presenter held reprehensible beliefs.
As I listened to the introduction I immediately wondered what Jesus would have said if he had been given the opportunity to introduce the man who has denied the existence of the holocaust and has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
Given the whole "love your enemies thing" what do you think Jesus would have said?
6 comments:
Jesus told us to love our enemies but not their sin. I believe Jesus would have addressed this man the same way he did the Pharisees.
But what would he have said, specifically?
Do you not know have you not heard has it not been told to you from the beginning. He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth and its people are like grasshoppers. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of the world to nothing. Maybe Jesus would have quoted these passages from the book of Isaiah. Sometimes the Lord uses the evil things of the world to accomplish His purposes.
Jesus? I think the God of the old testament used many cruel and terrible men to his purpose and then destroyed them. Jesus?
I love you. I am coming into your home tonight to eat and meet your family and friends.
Your sins, hatred and fear, are forgiven.
Or would he say "woe to you"?
kire
Perhaps he would have said, "Repent, or you likewise will perish." I'm sure he would have said whatever was necessary to give him the best opportunity to change and follow him. I'm not sure exactly what that would have been, though.
I think he would have listened. I think he would have engaged in a conversation about the President's beliefs by first asking the President, 'who do you say that I am?' Then he would say to the President the kinds of things he said to the Pharisees - you can live and act like you want to, but it's not the way of God, and it won't win you any points on your way to eternity...or something like that. I think he would respect the President's free will and his choices, but strongly point out the consequences of those choices. With Jesus, it seemed to always be about meeting each person where they were, and letting them know what they needed to do.
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