The myth of redemptive violence is the simplest, laziest, most exciting, uncomplicated, irrational and primitive depiction of evil the world has ever known. ~Walter Wink
The lights come back on. We walk with soda-sticky steps toward the exit, wiping popcorn off our fronts. Satisfied for the moment, we return to a world where nothing seems so easy.
In high-definition glory the good guys won. The bad guys were annihilated, the hero sailed into the sunset. And we sigh, “if only…”
From Popeye to Dirty Harry, Star Wars to 007, the same story is told: violence saves. But the plot-line is more ancient than we know.
An Ancient Tale (Enuma Elish c.1250 B.C.E.)
The pistachio-munching Babylonian crowds grip their seats as the climax of the creation story nears. A bloody battle scene–the armies of chaos locked in mortal combat against the forces of order. Will the hero prevail?
The crowd cheers as the god Marduk delivers the fatal blow. With chaos now subdued he creates the cosmos (the heavens and the earth) out of the battered corpse of his opponent. As the credits roll, Marduk clutches his victory crown; the once minor god is now king over all.
Violence Saves
Though we call it a myth, that story runs in our veins. It’s the way things have always worked. What’s my first response to opposition, to a sucker-punch from life? What’s the easy answer to conflict and unkindness?
- Retribution is necessary
- Enemies must be eliminated
- God is on my side
In my cleaned-up version, no blood is involved. A more subtle approach to getting even, getting rid of, and feeling justified works for me. And what about you?
A Better Story
The biblical writers told a better story.
Genesis begins not with battle, but with chaos that obediently responds to the life-giving word of the Creator. With only a rebuke, a look–by God’s voice alone–light appears, waters flow, the earth trembles, and the future unfolds. Read through the Bible and you learn that:
- In wisdom, not violence, all was made.
- Enemies are best eliminated by loving them.
- God is sovereign and on everyone’s side.
The two ancient stories compete for our allegiance today. Which version is true?
Which do you embrace?
Next Time: Part 3 of our look at The Powers That Be: Jesus’ brilliant answer to Marduk.
Read Genesis 1-2, Job 38-41, Psalm 104, Isaiah 40-45 for the biblical version of Creation. Also, Psalm 104:24, Matthew 5:44, Psalm 145:9
