How does the church represent the body of Christ in a time of fear and violence? Elizabeth Neumann, former assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention for the Department of Homeland Security and author of the book “Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace,” came to John Brown University’s campus to discuss this question. As a national security expert, she came to address her fellow Christians and others about how we can have moral courage while acting as peacemakers, removing the name of Jesus from the front of acts of violence and violent ideologies.
On Oct. 13, the Center for Faith and Flourishing hosted Neumann as the second speaker in their Reimagining Faith and Public Life series. Dr. Daniel Bennet, the Director for the Center for Faith and Flourishing, hosted and moderated a discussion as well as a time for questions from the audience. To begin the conversation on Christian extremism and how believers can respond, Neumann gave a definition of extremism. She said, “Extremism is the belief that your success is threatened by others, and the only action is hostile action.” This definition was extended to both physical and existential threats. Neumann posed hostile violence as a spectrum, with bullying and harassment on one end and genocide on the other.
How does someone find themselves on this spectrum? Neumann points to the internet. She says that it has created a “structure of permission,” where feelings and ideas find their footing and enter a cycle of validation. When these ideas are hostile and violent, radicalization can occur. Voices that say the same things find each other and create a growing cycle of repeated, encouraged ideas. Additionally, Neumann says that when factors such as the unmet psychological needs for belonging and significance, the isolation created by a tech-dependent world and the loss of objective truth are combined, it is a breeding ground for radicalization.
Before moving into a discussion with Dr. Bennet, Neumann discussed what believers can do as a part of the body of Christ to oppose the hostile action being taken in Jesus' name. She said that moral courage was key. Being other centered, rooted in self-sacrificial love and humility, combats the growing nihilism and violence. Believers should practice the way of Jesus: being peacemakers and trusting, resting and abiding in God.
The concept of self-sacrificial love and humility is a key idea in the gospel and should permeate the Christian faith. To specifically draw from scripture, Luke 6:27-29 says, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also."
Neumann says to, “Seek the well-fare of the city you’re placed in.” Doing this directly resists the isolation that many face and gives others belonging and significance. To share responsibility for the care of your community builds strength within the body and is a way for believers to serve others rather than act in fear and destruction. This is a commitment to servant-mindedness, which Neumann encourages believers to seek. It replaces violence with peace in the name of Jesus. Through strength from God to act in peace and humility, believers can pave the path of modern faith.
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