This Is Resistance
by Christopher C. Thompson | 14 November 2024 |
It rained a lot this week. It rained pretty consistently throughout the day Wednesday and on Thursday. Then, because of the rain clouds, it was dark much earlier than normal. I spoke to a friend hours away. It was raining there too. I spoke to a colleague in another time zone. It was raining there too. And as the old song goes, “feels like it’s raining all over the world.”
We are in the midst of one of the most fragile and tense moments of our time. Everything from unstable global markets to the frantic race and fight for natural resources, climate change, and so much more seems as if we’re teeter-tottering with the doomsday clock. Numerous active, international conflicts have far-reaching implications for the state and the future of the world. And most recently, a turbulent and convulsive presidential election that has ended with the re-emergence of perhaps the most reckless and polarizing leader in America’s history.
Platitudes are problematic
I’ll cut to the chase and say that I hate when darkness, disappointment, and devastation are met with these super spiritual platitudes. “God is still in control.” “God sets up kings and takes down kings.” “This is prophecy unfolding.” When you think of it, we’re pretty good at rattling these off. The older I get, the more frustrating these little quips become. They seem to trivialize and simplify the issues at hand. They don’t fully acknowledge the experience of those who will be on the receiving end of the worst kind of injustices. One well-known pastor even remarked, saying, “Don’t gloat. Don’t despair.” But in actuality there are some who align themselves with the winning side, who actually embody harmful ideals and beliefs. And there are those whose “despair,” as it were, is actually tied to some very desperate circumstances.
Imagine telling the family of the Central Park 5 (AKA The Exonerated 5) that they shouldn’t despair when the one person who publicly called for their execution and maintains his conviction of their guilt takes the seat of the nation’s highest office…again. Or consider the immigrants, many of whom have come seeking asylum, many who have come for honest and meaningful work, who hear insults and unfounded accusations of barbarism, and threats of mass deportations. It’s kind of hollow to expect that they will just resist despair. And on the other side, there are followers of the president-elect that inevitably feel empowered to inflict real harm on marginal groups because they believe that his administration will excuse and pardon their terroristic activities as he has promised in the past. Or imagine being a pregnant young lady suffering with sepsis who is being refused care in a nation where its highest-ranking leaders are pontificating on the need for a federal abortion ban.
Wrestling with scripture
I’ve been reflecting, talking, and writing a lot about joy lately. And with my reflections on joy, praise, and thanksgiving to God, I’m forced to wrestle with what it means to have joy in tumultuous times (see Psalm 126 and Psalm 30). I keep reflecting on this text in 1 Thessalonians 5:18. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” If used flippantly, it could sound like a platitude.
Then there is the all-time favorite funeral text of Adventists in 1 Thess. 4:16-18. It serves a multilayered purpose in that it is utilized to serve as comfort and encouragement. It’s also used to educate non-members on the doctrine of the state of the dead. And it’s a sort of rallying cry of reaffirmation of our staunch belief in the second coming.
It’s ironic that several of the prescriptives in 1 Thess. 5 and throughout the Thessalonian letters might sound like platitudes. But context matters. And in context, the imperatives and counsel are deeply profound. It’s because the context in Thessalonians is a doozy.
People on the brink
The Thessalonian Christians faced significant social and cultural persecution in their community, primarily because their new faith in Christ sharply contrasted with the religious and social norms of Thessalonica, a major city in the Roman Empire. Thessalonica was a significant, bustling city in Macedonia, located on a major Roman trade route known as the Via Egnatia. As the capital of the province, Thessalonica was cosmopolitan, culturally diverse, and a center for various religious and philosophical ideas, including the imperial cult that promoted worship of the Roman emperor.
Paul and Silas initially preached in Thessalonica and experienced considerable success, drawing a congregation of both Jewish and Gentile converts (see Acts 17:1-4). However, Paul’s ministry also sparked hostility from certain Jewish leaders and local pagans who perceived the Christian message as a threat to traditional beliefs and societal order. This opposition quickly led to Paul’s forced departure from the city. After Paul’s departure, the Thessalonian believers continued to experience persecution. Living in a city that demanded loyalty to both its traditions and the emperor, these early Christians faced social isolation, economic hardships, and frequent harassment for their allegiance to Jesus rather than Caesar.
Rather than giving empty platitudes, Paul’s counsel is a direct response to the volatility and fragility that the believers were facing. There are several elements that let us know that Paul is speaking directly to the instability and prospective danger that surrounds them. In the last verse of chapter one, he signals that he is aware that wrath is coming. While this is likely a reference to God’s wrath, it’s also a contrast to the vitriol that they experienced daily. Paul spoke about their trials as ministers of the gospel to show solidarity with them (2:2,9,18b; 3:7) In chapter one, he said that they (Thessalonians) were imitators of the ministers because they had received the gospel despite suffering (1:6). He’s suggesting that they, as ministers, modeled faith under pressure, and the Thessalonians followed suit.
Yet Paul also referenced the suffering of the believers themselves. He acknowledged that they “suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone” (2:14b-15). He mentioned their trial in 3:3 and reminded them that the ministers had forewarned them that they would be persecuted (3:4). Notice that the reference to the death of Jesus at the hands of his “own countrymen” is an acknowledgment of the threat of death that the Thessalonians lived under.
This brings us to chapter 4. When Paul seeks to encourage the saints about those who have “fallen asleep,” recognize that these folks likely didn’t die from natural causes. Rather, it was much more likely that it was the viciousness of imperialism and persecution that snuffed them out prematurely. This is the most harrowing of circumstances, and there are no flowery words here. He actually acknowledges that the people who simply try to smooth things over with platitudes of “peace and safety” are setting the people up for sudden destruction. What Paul does is seek to meet the present predicament with sound and timely spiritual counsel. And here’s why I believe that there’s this laundry list of simple dos and don’ts and altruisms. It’s not just a “to-do” and “don’t-do” list.
Framework for resistance
Paul is creating a protective framework to ensure their growth, security, and stability. Here are five main principles that Paul gives to help believers to maintain in tumultuous times.
(1) Build community and prioritize meaningful relationships. (2) Persevere and endure tumultuous times. (3) Develop discipline, vigilance, and self-control. (4) Cherish, promote, and defend what is true. (5) Maintain joy and hope.
Examples of these five principles are replete through both letters to the Thessalonians. We will deal with them at length another time. What you should first recognize is that they’re all countercultural and anti-imperialism. To be engaged in the work of God is to be resistant to the influence and the oppressive force of the empire. The empire seeks to do the opposite of each one of these.
But we are not called to conform. We are directed to be transformed and to “stand firm” so that God might be glorified through us (2 Thess. 1:12; 2:15). I know that many of us may be tired and in need of simple respite and relief. That’s real, and that’s understood. Just remember: You are the light of the world and you are the salt of the earth. If there is no salt, I don’t even want to know what the meal tastes like. If the light goes out, then we will be completely overtaken by the darkness. I wish I had more encouraging words for you. Just remember that we are not alone. God has not and will not leave us alone. God has us. God is with us, and we have each other. And that is more than enough. Whatever you do, don’t give up. Keep resisting. Keep resisting.
Christopher C. Thompson is a pastor in Beaufort, South Carolina.
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