Jim Wallis’s Standing in the Gap Confession for Iraq
Jim Wallis recently issued a call for the signing of a petition that would commemorate the upcoming five year anniversary of the Iraq invasion.
We all share in responsibility for a war that has been waged in our names and with our tax dollars. The fact that fewer U.S. soldiers have died in recent months doesn’t change the fact that this war should never have been waged. Our country should end this war, not try to “win” it, and we must help the Iraqi people build a safer and more peaceful country.
And so, in this season of Lent, I believe the time has come for us to repent for the Iraq war. But repentance means more than just being sorry. It means admitting that the course we have been on is wrong and committing to begin walking in a new direction - starting with an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
Jeff, however, remains skeptical.
18. tired alot. mac-aholic. designer. photographer. social media junkie. God-chaser. ordinary radical.
Mar 12th 2008
so i was watching the view (don’t laugh) and they were having a discussion about the election of course. joy was wondering what sort of things a voter should “allow” in a candidate or not allow. it went something like this. infidelity > clinton’s affair > lying to hillary > lying to country > infidelity permissible? lying to country > bush’s war in Afghanistan… but no, war in iraq!
i just thought it quite amusing because all this time i’ve been trying to convince dad and travis that the only reason we went to iraq was for oil. and what do you know? i wasn’t the only one a bit confused when america went to bed knowing the next morning would start the war on terrorism in Afghanistan only to wake up to hear they bombed iraq.
Mar 14th 2008
Art, so where do you find yourself landing on these sorts of issues?
Mar 15th 2008
@jeff: Like yourself, I find it interesting that Wallis equates a corporate sin with personal responsibility. But as he mentions, perhaps it is a personal sin as we have elected a President who aggravated tensions around the world and support the war in tax dollars and with our name.
Still, what Wallis is suggesting is more of a corporate apology than personal. He’s suggesting that if enough Christians sign his petition, that we’ll be heard at a corporate level (which may be true).
Like you touched on in your last paragraph, I see Christ’s message as a message of liberation and a condemnation of how the system works on a normal day. That’s why he got killed. Our message can be no different. Wallis is more comfortable redirecting the system from inside than I am.
I plan to spend this fifth anniversary joining a vigil and a few rallies (not government sponsored). Some may argue I’m taking a copout for not taking responsibility for the Iraq War but rather condemning it, but I didn’t vote for it nor want it. I can’t repent of something I didn’t do.
Unless of course I’m repenting to the Iraq people, which I see differently than apologizing to the general American public. I see room for humbly standing in the gap and repenting to Iraq and saying with tears streaming down our face, “We are so sorry for what our country did to yours.”
It’s anyone’s guess how Wallis plans to use the statement.
Mar 16th 2008
Wow! Your point about repenting to the Iraqi people hit me between the eyes. I was not even considering that option yet it is very much to whom the plea for forgiveness should be directed. Thank you for that.
As I mentioned in my post, my reaction is to a large extension a reaction from my past and seeing tactics that I distrust being used by groups I really want to ’side with’. As a commenter to my post mentioned, did those who most need to repent even receive Wallis’ emails? I find myself being cynical to Wallis’ motives — stir conviction or raise money?
Thanks for the dialog!
… Jeff
Mar 21st 2008
not sure where I stand on it as well….five years ago i was a completely different kind of Christian then I am now..I supported the war, Bush, and the Republican agenda back then…now I do not support any of it….this post has got me thinking that is for sure….