Lessons from Nietzsche

Too many Christians simply do not understand an "eye for an eye" no longer applies. (Illustration by Joshua Pomeroy / CreationSwap.com)

This is an excellent and insightful read. For me, there is both vindication and conviction in Ericksen's assessment. Vindication because it confirms what many of us understand about Christendom in America — that too many professing Christians are aligned with Dionysus; that too many Christians simply do not understand an "eye for an eye" no longer applies; that vengeance doesn't comport with the New Testament promise of grace and forgiveness through Christ.

We saw this just this week when far too many "Christians" celebrated, on a day of Passover no less, as the largest, non-nuclear instrument of death in the world was detonated in Afghanistan. Alas, far too many of us are beguiled by vengeance, and thus have betrayed the Prince of Peace. Moreover, this hypocrisy has cast a dark shadow on the church.

But there is also conviction here for me. Hearts of stone come in all different shapes and sizes. Contempt for another man or woman is contempt, regardless of whether it’s directed at a Muslim, a refugee, an immigrant, a terrorist, a white supremacist, or a red-hat-wearing Trump supporter.

There is real danger in harboring contempt, even when it's directed at those whose actions we know to be hypocritical and/or wicked. In my case, these feelings don't come from a prideful heart — they come from a broken one — but contempt still stands in opposition to love and forgiveness, and the act of judging alone is still rooted in self-righteousness.

Unlike the figure of Christ as he overturned tables in the temple, not one among us is above reproach. Perhaps the danger here for us is less obvious because we believe we’re defending the faith, but then how much damage to the faith has been done throughout the ages in the name of defending the faith? The steady drip of anger, of indignation and self-righteousness is ultimately corrosive. It stands in bold opposition to love and humility, and it can ultimately lead our hearts to become more stone than flesh.

I guess the conviction I feel, which is so much more important than any feelings of vindication, is the call to find it in my heart to forgive, for all are worthy of forgiveness. This is something Nietzsche, in his cynicism, could not accept. Just as Christ has forgiven our trespasses, so must we forgive those who trespass against us.

I am actually writing a novel about forgiveness. It’s an easy thing to write about — to talk about — but to live it, to embody forgiveness, is something else entirely. Perhaps this is because forgiveness is intrinsically hopeful. It is rooted in belief, not cynicism.

This article vindicates on some levels, but mostly it convicts. Let’s embrace darkness in the world as a new challenge to love, to forgive, to hope and to pray even more. For those who don’t believe in God or prayer, consider meditation and introspection as workable substitutes. ☮︎ ♡ ✚

Shalom —

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Relevant Reading

"A God Torn to Pieces: The Nietzsche Case" by Giuseppe Fornari