Forewarnings of Doom from the Prophets Are for Us Today

John Cummings — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:46:14 -0500

Those of us who are Christians and strive to live nonviolently are often quick to look to Jesus' as our example of who God is and how we should live, but we are much more hesitant to delve into the Old Testament. Why? Simply because the Old Testament is anything but nonviolent. I am currently taking a class on the book of Jeremiah, which is full of accounts of how the wrath of God will rain down on the people of Israel for their misdeeds. The idea of an angry God that will destroy a disobedient people is uncomfortable for many of us who would prefer to think of God's love and tenderness and acceptance of all people. read more »

Remembering the Martyrs of El Salvador

John Cummings — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 18:36:59 -0600

This weekend, tens of thousands of people will gather at Fort Benning, Georgia to advocate for the closure of the School of the Americas, a US army training facility that has trained some of the most ruthlessly violent dictators and military leaders of recent history. They also gather in memory of the six Salvadoran Jesuits who were murdered by the Salvadoran soldiers because of their stance against the repression by the military. These lived nonviolently, and in the end died because of their stance against violence. It is likely that their beliefs about nonviolence and justice were very similar to the beliefs of those of us who practice nonviolent living in the Western world today. The drastic difference, of course, is that these men were killed for being nonviolent; what is more, they lived nonviolently knowing that they very well might die because of it. read more »

Christian Work for Justice: A Pastime or the Gospel?

John Cummings — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:28:20 -0500

Last Monday I preached a sermon in my Biblical Preaching class. The content of the sermon focused heavily on the powerlessness we often feel in the face of global injustice and corruption, and how we are empowered as the church to work towards a more just society through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Afterwards, I received some comments that surprised me. When the professor asked the class if feeling powerless in the face of the problems in the world was a concern for them, several people answered "no". Not concerned about the powerlessness we feel in the face of world problems? I was amazed that future pastors would voice such opinions. That was shocking, but what surprised me even more was the comment one young woman made. "I think that some of us fall more into the category of theology nerds and maybe not so much the social justice enthusiasts. Like for me, I don't particularly feel a call to social justice or a connection to that. So, yeah, it is a concern, but I don't really connect to it that much." read more »

Internal Violence

John Cummings — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:36:23 -0500

In some ways, it is easier for us to try to address the violence outside of us than face the violence within us. I know that I will quickly jump on the bandwagon of supporting the monks in Burma, or seek to stop the homicides occuring in Oakland but it is much harder to take time to reflect on how I act violently towards myself. I consider myself to be a confident, psychologically and spiritually healthy individual. Even so, I know that not a day passes that I do not think about myself negatively, or get frustrated at myself for being in some way "inadequate". I sometimes compare myself to others, trying to convince myself that I am better than another individual. I especially get agitated when I don't feel like I am doing enough, a feeling I have frequently even though everyone I know tells me that I seem to be extremely busy. If I do something incorrectly or forget something, I get mad at myself. read more »

When Non-violence Fails

John Cummings — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:41:06 -0500

In the last couple of weeks, we have seen the non-violent movement in Burma, a massive united stand against the military rule, virtually destroyed by arrests, interigation, night raids, and killings carried out by the government. The streets that were overflowing with monks and other citizens only a couple of weeks ago are now quiet as soldiers patrol them. It seems that this movement may be coming to a close with as little success in ending military rule as the 1988 movement. The only difference may be that fewer people died this time. We like to look to those non-violent movements that ended with the overthrowing of dictators or the changing of unjust laws or policies, but it is much harder to look at those movements that ended in violence and the continuation of injustice. What do we say when non-violence does not succeed? What can we take away that is positive? read more »

Violence to the Souls of the Hungry

John Cummings — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:30:44 -0500

This week I went to pick up a box of groceries at a farmers market in Berkeley. A whole street was closed off for farmers and to sell their fresh, organic produce. As I searched about for my groceries, I passed by a man and his ten year old daughter. The man had a soft complexion and warm demeanor. His daughter stood in a small grocery cart in front of him. He asked, "sir, would you be able to get us any food?" I hesitated for a moment, then asked, "what do you want me to get you?" He said "Chicken on a stick". I looked over to see a stand that was selling Thai chicken. "OK", I said, "Let me get my things and I will come back". I went and collected my groceries and came back to find that the Thai chicken stand had a line of about ten people. I was in a rush to get home and didn't want to wait in the line. I thought for a moment: I don't usually give money to people on the street, but I felt like this man would probably put it to good use if I gave him some money. I handed him the money I had in my pocket; he thanked me and I went on my way. read more »

Community Organizing and Non-violence

John Cummings — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:09:27 -0500

I am excited to be writing my very first blog for Pace e Bene. My current official vocation is as a student the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, studying to become a Lutheran pastor; my internship with Pace e Bene is part of my seminary education. The other night I was in one of my classes, which is called "Pastor as Community Organizer". In that class, we are learning about how to move beyond boundaries of political orientation, cultural/racial differences, and economic status to address the needs that the whole community is concerned about. With community organizing, congregations are able to work together as people of faith to transform their communities despite the differences that often otherwise tear them apart. Liberals and conservatives, rich and poor, black, white, Latino, and Asian are able to unite in common purpose and recognize each other's common humanity.