September 11—a year later,
a personal journal

A Christian

THE DATE September 11, 2001, has almost become legendary, so indelibly stamped in our minds, that at least for the coming decade we may well talk about before and after 9/11. In the midst of so much media hype, followers of Jesus in Afghanistan and Pakistan have continued to live their faith, though not without struggles and questions.

Afghanistan hangs in the balance
With the new regime, there is relative freedom and hope for the future. Over a million Afghan refugees, far more than expected, have returned home—the greatest positive statement on post September 11; however, the warlord culture still holds sway over the society. Note, for example, one warlord has his own private, indoor swimming pool in northern Afghanistan.

Then there are the constant security threats—the assassination attempt against the president and a deadly car bomb in downtown Kabul just a few weeks ago. Furthermore, Afghanistan is still a very conservative Muslim nation—this has not changed. Many women still wear the heavy burqa—veil—to protect themselves.

And there are massive social problems—the years of poverty and war have left a tragic legacy of widows and orphans, and the threat from unexploded bombs and landmines. Life expectancy is just 47 years. Refugees return to a shortage of houses in the cities, unemployment and soaring prices. There is a lack of organized and full-scale reconstruction and an increasing frustration that the foreign aid promised late in 2001 is not forthcoming.

Yet, in the midst of it all, there are a growing number of people in this country seeking to be disciples, perhaps secretly, but nonetheless sincere and faithful.

The Pakistani Christian community
This is a much forgotten people that has experienced the brunt of terrorist attacks in Pakistan. They are a vulnerable community, and we need to stand with them in prayer and moral support.

Should we evacuate?
Security is one of the difficult issues that missionaries and Christian professionals in the region have struggled with. When there is real or perceived danger, should we evacuate? Many did so following 9/11. What kind of testimony does this give to the national Christian community that is much more vulnerable? Are we not called to suffer and share in the sufferings of others?

Is fear "sub-Christian"? Can we guarantee our security, or even our children’s security? Yet, on the other hand, if we do not evacuate, some accuse us of being fools or uncaring of our families. Is it because we have some vain "martyr-complex" and want to become spiritual heroes?

The USA-led war on terrorism
This has forced us to be more than armchair pacifists. Where do we stand? What message do we have for the people of Afghanistan? Should we have joined those who opposed American intervention? Initially we did, yet when the Taliban fell, we could only join with the celebrations—after all, had we not prayed so much for freedom in this land?

On the other hand, if we would support the U.S. bombing—as many Afghans have done—how does this reckon with the message of Christ and his words to "love your enemy"? If you had the responsibility and opportunity to speak to the people of Afghanistan, what would you say? Jesus’ words to Pilate ring very relevant to the situation, "My kingdom is not of this world, if it were my servants would fight" (John 18:36). But as Paul instructs, the state does not bear the sword for nothing (Romans 13:4).

It seems clear that the church is separate from the state. We live in another kingdom that crosses borders and cultures around the world, a kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I have come to a tentative conclusion that as followers of Christ we need neither support nor oppose the war on terrorism. This is not escapism; it simply is not our mandate.

I have struggled much!
I have heard calls for prayer and letter-writing campaigns against the U.S.-led war on terrorism and Canada’s involvement in it. On the other hand, I hear others call for an unequivocal support for the present-day nation of Israel. With both calls coming from well-meaning followers of Christ, I have struggled much with what our stand should be.

John Wenger’s work, Glimpses of Mennonite History and Doctrine (1959) may be dated, but certainly his call for political non-involvement and a pro-active evangelism is worth noting:

"The calling of the Christian is evangelism, not the dispensing of justice in the state. It does not follow, however, that Mennonites condemn the state. On the contrary the state is ordained of God to administer law and justice in a society of evildoers.

"In that sphere the state is absolutely necessary. Evil men must frequently be restrained by force. But that task in not assigned by God to the saints…the state is ordained of God outside the perfection of Christ. This is based on the belief that the Christian ethic is for Christians, not for the state" (p. 153).

A more recent book, Prisoners of Hope, is the story of two American women who were imprisoned under the Taliban before and after 9/11. Published in 2002, it is flawed in certain aspects of witness (and in relationship to the American flag). It is a testimony of how Christians loved and prayed for their enemies in an extremely hostile environment.

People may want to get involved politically—supporting or opposing their governments. But is that our calling as we follow Christ? Rather, we have the greatest message to live out—the gospel of the kingdom of God. Several months ago, Dr. Gus Konkel, President of Providence Theological Seminary, wrote in the March 27 issue of The Messenger, "The only kingdom worth dying for is the Kingdom of God."

This is what Christ calls us to—to shine the torch of His truth and peace wherever we find ourselves in the world and whatever the cost. I do not make this claim this lightly nor boast about it. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer discusses in his Prisoner for God, there is a danger of exhibitionism; in fact, instead of being truly and quietly courageous, we may actually be seeking admiration.

Yet, it is this calling that best speaks to the two struggles: it provides an answer to our misgivings about security and evacuations, and secondly, gives a Christ-centered direction to the "war on terrorism."

This doesn’t answer all problems!
Of course, this does not answer all the problems. To be sure, some will say that political involvement—on either side of the fence—is, indeed, the way to fulfill the mandate of the gospel. I only hope that as followers of Christ, we do not shoot each other in our differences.

And a further problem, much of the Muslim world sees no difference between the church and the western coalition/war on terrorism. The western Christian may be hated because he or she is associated with American culture and militancy. As mentioned above, we can only counter this unfortunate misconception when we actively engage with Muslims, live with them and pray that "God’s kingdom will come here and there!" And finally, more followers of God’s kingdom need to live the life of the Kingdom of God in Muslim cultures.

And so, we continue to struggle with evacuations and with the "war on terrorism." But more than that, we pray as Jesus taught us, "Thy Kingdom come!"

The writer of this article is not identified for security reasons.

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December 23, 2002
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