THOUGHTFULLY DRIVING THE PORCELAIN BUS

A Column by John S Schroeder

December 29, 2001

EVIL! This is a word we have heard a lot about since September 11. We have heard it attached to those responsible for the so well known acts of that date, and rightly so. We have also heard much about how we should not rush to attach that label to people. That later fact has caused me much consternation. If the terrorist attacks were not evil, I do not know what is. That debate; however, has occurred a lot in the public record. In this space, I am more interested in the question of using that label in less clear-cut circumstances. I am willing to bet that if you think about it, you can find in your experience an incident where an action taken with the best of intent and the most innocent of motivation, had consequences of great evil."

I have personally witnessed the virtual destruction of a church because of the actions of a few in leadership. Their actions were intended only to help the church and the people in it grow. They had no apparent motivation other than the service of God. Yet, some very few years later, that church is in utter turmoil, budgets slashed in half forcing the lay-off of many, attendance grossly down, dozens of good and faithful people labeled, marginalized, and ostracized from the community of faith, and one ordained minister dismissed in disgrace, when such disgrace is largely unwarranted. Lower attendance and lay-offs may or may not be evil, but the marginalization that occurred certainly is.

So the question is -- were (are) those leaders and their actions evil? How you answer that question will probably depend upon your perspective. At the time, I have no question that those who took the actions were convinced of their correctness, but with a longer-term viewpoint they were so obviously wrong. And it is in the failure to take the long-term view where I believe the evil arises.

Ask yourself this, what is God's viewpoint? God has the distinct advantage of seeing all time, and knowing the results of all things before they happen. Now that, is a long-term view. While we can never achieve God's viewpoint, we can take a longer-term look than one might expect. It is called history and tradition. I can say that in my personal experience, every time one of those seemingly arbitrary and traditional rules of conduct is challenged, the results are not good. The Judeo-Christian ethic has had 6000 years to develop itself. Just because I cannot see the reason for something in my limited view, does not mean there is not a really good reason for it in that 6000-year view.

So, back to the original question -- can people doing acts with innocent intent and good motivation commit evil? ABSOLUTELY, when they fail to honor the long-term "God's-eye" view. It is actually the same old evil -- failing to put God in first place. Failing to understand that our view and understanding is tainted and limited. All evil springs from the one evil, failing to place ourselves in total subjugation to God.

With Love,