Holy Mischief: 40 Years after the Catonsville 9 and the 'Fracture of Good Order' (by Shane Claiborne)
This past weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the historic action of the Catonsville 9. On May 17, 1968, nine men and women entered the Selective Service Offices in Catonsville, Maryland, removed several hundred draft records, and burned them with homemade napalm in protest against the war in Vietnam. The nine were arrested and, in a highly publicized trial, sentenced to jail. Listen to the words spoken by Father Daniel Berrigan on that day:
Our apologies, good friends, for the fracture of good order, the burning of paper instead of children, the angering of the orderlies in the front parlor of the charnel house. We could not, so help us God, do otherwise.
It is acts of courage like this that the prophets were known for. And jailed for. They are an invitation to interrupt injustice with grace. They are an invitation to live with prophetic imagination. These are the kind of prophets who don't just try to predict the future - they try to change it.
One of those contemporaries of the Catonsville action is here with us in Philadelphia -- Sister Margaret (we tell her story in our new book Jesus for President). Sister Margaret is one of our wisest -- and wildest -- elders. Some years back, she and some other Christians felt moved by the Spirit to enact some of the prophecies in the Bible. They drew their own blood, which they planned to pour on the war machines as a symbolic lament of the bloodshed they create. And they had a bag full of hammers and other tools with which to begin the conversion of the things of death into the things of life. Then they showed up for a tour of a navy ship. Sister Margaret was designated to carry the tools, since she was the older nun, the least suspicious. It's hysterical to hear her so innocently tell the story of how she just went through the strict security with metal detectors and bag checkers, praying and trusting God. As she went through the checkpoint, her bulky bag got stuck on the gate, and a guard came to her aid. He took the bag from her and lifted it through the security check, and then he helped Sister Margaret, who just thanked him over and over like an innocent granny. They went onto the boat and began climbing up the ladders, up to the top of the ship. There they poured their blood onto the side of a Tomahawk missile launcher. She said it looked like a giant star. Then they prayerfully began beating on the hollow metal of the launcher. The sound of each hit of the hammer seemed to echo across the entire creation. It was sacramental. It was as if time stopped. They continued to hammer together, thud after thud reverberating. Sailors began to surround them -- confused, paralyzed. Officers told the nuns to lay face down with their hands above them on the deck. And they gladly obeyed. It reminded Sister Margaret of the times the sisters would lie prostrate, face down, with outstretched hands in prayer before God. As they lay there, it began to rain, and Sister Margaret says it was like God was crying.
One thing that's clear in the scriptures is that the nations do not lead people to peace; rather, people lead the nations to peace. There's a beautiful text in both Micah and Isaiah where the prophets say that the people will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. And it ends by saying that nations will not rise up against other nations, and they will not study war anymore. Peace begins not with nations but with the people of God. It is people who humanize the nations, people who follow the Human One that Daniel spoke of rising from the beasts -- the Son of Man, the gospels proclaim. The end of war begins with people who believe that another world is possible and that another empire has already interrupted time and space and is taking over this earth with the dreams of God. Those dreams begin with people of faith and hope who are audacious enough to be certain of what they do not see. We believe so much that we cannot help but start enacting the prophecies. As our brother Jim Wallis says, "We believe despite the evidence, and we watch the evidence change."
What if we got our best scientists to figure out a plan for converting all our B-52s into tractors?
What if people began to prayerfully take household tools onto military bases and beat the war machines into farm tools?
It has been done. And it will be done again.
We are people who believe in conversion. We believe things can be transformed into new creations.
Shane Claiborne is the author of Jesus for President, a Red Letter Christian, and a founding partner of The Simple Way community, a radical faith community that lives among and serves the homeless in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.
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Comments
Once again, Claiborne mistakes end-time predictions for present realties. Isaiah was referring to the Day of the Lord, not now. Until the Day of the Lord, there will be a need for swords. Those idiots who created "Holy Mischief" are no heroes--just kooks who deserved everything they got. And no, the prophets did not get imprisoned for criticizing the powers for their treatment of the poor--they got persecuted because they called rebellious Israel back to its covenant with God. It is this foolishness that makes me believe Claiborne's ideas are sub-Christian.
Posted by: Ben Wheaton | May 19, 2008 11:12 AM
Ben, I would argue that your evangelical roots are showing. Isaiah wasn't attempting to predict the far distant future, an "end time prophecy." Rather, in the correct definition of a prophet, was holding a mirror up to Israel's face, calling it to repentance. All prophets only respond to the corruption around them and usually, quite rightly, point out the inevitable results of this chosen, destructive path. Jesus did this when he talked about the destruction of the temple. They also however attempt to paint a different, "holy" path.
Posted by: Brian | May 19, 2008 11:37 AM
"We are people who believe in conversion. We believe things can be transformed into new creations."
By beating them with farm tools.
Posted by: kevin s. | May 19, 2008 12:47 PM
"It is this foolishness that makes me believe Claiborne's ideas are sub-Christian."
And there you have the religious right's version of Christianity. If you are not militaristic, you are not quite Christian.
Posted by: I and I | May 19, 2008 3:36 PM
"If you are not militaristic, you are not quite Christian."
That isn't what he said.
Posted by: kevin s. | May 19, 2008 4:20 PM
Ya know, Mr Wheaton, I started to raise the same objection as you to Brother Shane as you did– but the Lord interrupted me: 'Does the prayer say My 'Kingdom come,' My 'Will be done on earth as it is in heaven?' Certainly My Kingdom won't be perfected on earth, nor My Will be perfectly done till I return. But I've left My loyal resistance to the usurpatious ruler of your present world, that is, my Church, to let their light shine before the world, to do what they can to show the world what my Kingdom and My Will are, till I get back, to turn them to My Righteousness. And till that day, My word through Moses and the Prophets is available to them.'
Ben, are you a follower of the Way? I can't find 'quibbling' and 'fractiousness' anywhere among the Fruit of the Spirit, although my version mentions 'variance' and 'strife' prominently among the works of the flesh. Galatians 5.19-24. 'Gentleness and 'meekness', now, they're among the Fruit, and 'there's no law against them'.
Posted by: Ted Voth Jr | May 19, 2008 4:38 PM
Brian, your quasi-Sadducee semi-liberal Christian roots are showing, the ones that say 'Possibly some of God's prophecies through His Prophets might have been fulfilled in the past as, eg, "You, Bethlehem Judah, are by no means least among the princes of Judah for out of you shall come the One who'll rule Israel." but nothing in the Bible that looks like it might foretell the future is valid. We know it won't happen because, because– well, it hasn't happened yet!'
This is little faith and unbelief and it's unworthy of, well, of a Believer! Don't feel bad, though; you can see it in NT Wright and in my beloved pastor, and they're followers.
You're not a Pentecostal or Charismatic either, are you?
To say a prophet's primary job is to rebuke society and call for repentance is not to say that that God cannot and will not also reveal the future to His people through His Prophets. It's a case of both/and, not either/or.
My comments to Ben are my comments to you, on the Fruit of the Spirit: the meekness and gentleness of Christ to you and on you and in you. And please forgive me, both of you, for poking around in your eyes after slivers with this log stuck in my eye!
Posted by: Ted Voth Jr | May 19, 2008 4:57 PM
Ben, you said: Until the Day of the Lord there will be a need for swords.
Jesus preached, "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."
We are living in the inauguration of the day of the Lord, when all things will be made new. And we are part of that inauguration. The Gospel is about the renewal of all things; and this is to be accomplished through the Holy Spirit and the church, the body of Christ on earth. We are not to be mere spectators of this inauguration, but active instigators. To not do so is to deny the reality of the coming day.
In theological terms this is referred to as the "already, not yet", and it is critical to a proper understanding of the Gospel.
Ben, you also said: The prophets did not get imprisoned for criticizing the powers for their treatment of the poor--they got persecuted because they called rebellious Israel back to its covenant with God.
A large part of Israel's rebellion was its mistreatment of the poor. It is very clear throughout the books of the prophets that this issue invoked the wrath of God many times. Read Amos 5, for one example among many. You cannot separate love for God and love for people, "On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."
Posted by: Scot McClamma | May 19, 2008 5:02 PM
Dear Ben,
Have you never read the prophecies of Amos? Or reflected on the reaction of the authorities in Israel (ch. 7 vv. 10ff)? The kingdom's rebellion against their covenant with God was to be located as much in their oppression of the poor as in their perversion of religious practice.
And I don't think that Jeremiah's imprisonment in the court of the guard (not to mention that famous incarceration in the empty cistern) was entirely unconnected to his advocacy of a deal between the people of Judah and the king of Babylon (see, for example, Ch. 21:3-10, Ch 27, Ch. 38).
Grace and peace.
Posted by: Tony Dickinson | May 19, 2008 5:04 PM
grace and peace boys...
grace and peace...
Posted by: Ryan Miller | May 19, 2008 5:12 PM
Brian:
Ben, I would argue that your evangelical roots are showing.
Not his evangelical roots, Brian. His dispensationalist roots. Dispensationalism emerged in early nineteenth-century England but never became a serious component of the evangelical mainstream anywhere other than the US.
My evangelical roots, on the other hand, tell me that dispensationalist theology - like all theologies that cushion us from having to follow in the way of Jesus in all areas of our life - is a distortion of the meaning of scripture.
meurig
Posted by: meurig | May 19, 2008 5:25 PM
"Those idiots who created "Holy Mischief" are no heroes--just kooks who deserved everything they got. And no, the prophets did not get imprisoned for criticizing the powers for their treatment of the poor--they got persecuted because they called rebellious Israel back to its covenant with God. It is this foolishness that makes me believe Claiborne's ideas are sub-Christian."
Wow... How's the state of the heart brother?
I know it feels good to criticize others, which simultaneously tries to claim a state of superiority (which is in error and animalistic rather than of the spirit), but when I harsly criticize others I hinder myself and am not following the way of the Christ. He taught us that we must get to the heart level, which is beneath the surface that even the most devoted religious leaders and followers focused on then and still today too often.
No amount of bible trivia trophies will help one who has a hateful heart.
I was a skeptic of Shane because I thought his appearance might mean he's trying too hard to be different and is egotistical in an alternative sort of way--trapped in the identity of a spiritual rebel so to speak. Well brother, after seeing him speak I realize that he's a follower of Christ in ways that make me feel I would be right to fall to my knees in respect. He's the real deal. And I haven't felt like that more than a couple times in my lifetime.
I don't think we're all called to be exactly as Shane is and I see what could be called silliness in some protesting actions. I also don't think pacifism is always the answer; force can protect life. But you show your ignorance by calling people names like my teenage son's friend's do and you miss the mark by miles by claiming that Shane and his ideas are "sub-Christian."
Sub-Follower of the Christ??? Few follow Christ more closely and true followship entails the heart level, which you've shown you're not concerned with at least in this instance.
As a Christian - a follower of the Christ - perhaps one should master the instructions of the Master to love God and one another, which means all others, BEFORE getting so excited about other teachings and verses from other parts of scripture. If you think Jesus was special then how about treating his teachings that way rather than preferring teachings that divide and supposedly make the "insiders" superior to others, (which is the opposite of what Jesus taught and lived).
Too many Christians love scripture more than living beings; more accurately, they love certain verses and their favorite interpretations of those verses more than they have love for living beings.
If we truly want to FOLLOW, we must FIRST consider the log in our own eye, but I understand it is much more enjoyable to claim superiority over others and label them. I confess that I really do understand, but I deserve to be corrected when I get off course in that way.
Posted by: Aaron | May 19, 2008 5:44 PM
I believe to the bottom of my heart that the gospel Jesus preached and lived was peaceful and non-violence at its core. However, there is another book in the Bible--is it Amos?-- in which the people are told to beat their plowshares into swords and I am curious, Shane, as to how you deal with this verse? I remember it being brought out often at the build up to the Iraq War.
Posted by: Diane | May 19, 2008 5:48 PM
Shane:
I got quite a giggle over your Catonsville Nine piece (yes, I'm quite old enough to remember Dan and Phil Berrigan). And I quite enjoyed your story about Sister Margaret on the tour of the Navy ship. While not exactly the same witness (the Catonsville Nine used napalm to burn, Sister Margaret and company used blood) the statement is the same: we cannot simply sit and watch while an immoral war is being waged.
Now comes the soul searching. Each one of us is responsible for what our government does. We elected them, didn't we? Well....I have to say I didn't vote for them, but it doesn't excuse me either. Do we have the same courage to stand up and make a statement? We can change things by our example just like Dan and Phil Berrigan and Sister Margaret.
Posted by: Debbie Lackowitz | May 19, 2008 5:57 PM
surely part of our reaction to these actions is context.
clairborne doesn't mention some of the more profound acts of prophetic imagination and holy mischief that now with hind sight we might see caused kingdom of God changes in society.
from your USAmerican setting:- sit ins and bus strikes in the civil rights movements organised and run by black church leaders against what many christian and non christian people of the time would have seen as the established order.
How about Ghandi (I know not a christian but an admirer of Jesus) and his march to the sea to make salt and break the british monopoly on salt production.
The burning of passes and refusing to catagorised by race in South Africa under the apartided regieme.
I don't know which part of my christian tradition shows when I say I beleive that the word of God including the propecies of the old testament were a mirror to the society then, as God's abiding revelation are a mirror for our society now (sometimes very hard to look at and yes to get right as to how we should react to what we see) and finds its ultimate fufilment in Jesus Christ, 'the last one'(the escaton). As such I beleive that we both hope for what God's future has in store and be prepared to work in our time and context.
while sledge hammers and missile launchers make me a bit nervous ( hitting wepons capable of mass distruction seems a bit dangerous)we do need to ask how passages from scripture on studying war no more and not trusting in chariots and horses and blessed are the peace makers resound in our world today. can followers of christ fid a better way?
Posted by: howard | May 19, 2008 6:01 PM
I was shocked and dismayed as I read the above comments that personally attacked Shane and other commenters. The lack of civility by those who claim to be followers of the Prince of Peace is disturbing.
A recent poll of nonchurch attending folks found that when asked to give a one word description of the Church, among the top three answers was "judgmental."
The above comments provide evidence for the validity of that label.
If we are to be faithful and fruitful in offering hope to the world and to our neighbors we have to change how we treat one another.
It was said that one of the key ingredients of the early church in its remarkable growth was that others could "see how they love one another."
May it be so among us today. May it be so.
Posted by: Mike Jones | May 19, 2008 6:57 PM
I have stumbled over this blog for the first time and got really excited about some of the posts. Coming from Germany and now living in the UK, I got in touch with the Emerging Church some time ago, having left my "evangelical roots" which left many scars on my soul. I became and still am intrigued by the experienced "love in action" of Emerging Church people, their inclusiveness, tolerance and love which, for the first time, made me believe that Christianity in the way Jesus thought us is really possible.
However, I am shocked by the comments I have read on the blog so far. Maybe it is my "Europeanness" that simply cannot understand how people who claim to be Jesus' disciples can be so hateful, judgmental and full of scorn towards each other. Maybe I'm wrong, but somehow it seems to be more normal in the US, for whatever reason. I just cannot believe it. How can anybody in the world, whatever understanding of the bible and Christianity he/she has, behave in such a way? Even though I got hurt a lot by the judgmentalism in the evangelical churches I used to go to in Germany, nothing that I experienced got even close to what I've just read on the blog. I am very, very sad.
Posted by: Doerthe | May 20, 2008 6:11 AM
Doerthe -
I'm sorry to say it's been that way since the beginning of this blog. There is a small cadre of determined people who have dedicated an enormous amount of time to jumping in and immediately discrediting anything provocative or controversial that is posted here, thus effectively hijacking most of the discussions. There seems to be nothing that cannot be said in the name of denying these ideas a fair hearing. I pray for these people because they are clearly so frightened that their fear leads them to insult others and impugn their motives and character.
Let me assure you that these loud voices are not representative of American Christians as a whole, at least in my admittedly limited personal experience.
Posted by: Another nonymous | May 20, 2008 11:35 AM
In support of Doerthe: I have remarked on another, even more vitriolic, thread (about poverty, as might have been guessed) that too many people are infringing the rules of conduct and it's time the moderators took action. There is a difference between lively debate and vulgar abuse. The argumentum ad hominem is usually a bad one.
Posted by: Tony Dickinson | May 20, 2008 4:42 PM
This wonderful article should remind of some forgotten history and our country's way of dealing with those who disagreed with US policy and of the struggle for peace. It is good to be reminded that one of the calls of Christians is that of peace, despite our nation's actions.
I was fortunate to hear and meet Phillip Berrigan, Elizabeth McAllister and Atty William Stringfellow. All very seriously religious and devoted individuals, despite the cost to each of them personally. Stringfellow was introduced as one who took the Bible more seriously than the daily newspaper.
The odd comments and character attacks in this blog's posting are evidence that some things, people and attitudes are slow to change.
But, as Shane says in this article: people and and things can be transformed.
Thanks for this article.
lgbryson
Posted by: lgbryson | May 21, 2008 11:39 AM
I too appreciated your article Shane article on many levels. The theological jousting is not so much to my liking on the blog. Could be I have so distilled what I will and will not mount my horse over, respectfully, your article is simply not joust worthy in my book !
I thought you might enjoy the quote below Shane, new hard drive and I did not easily locate your email address. Here tis. Our conversation surrounding affordable housing, formalizing the legal structure of a co-op and banking land in a Community Land Trust is past due.
Tina Mata
Los Angeles
"If there is any positive side to stark changes coming our way, it may be in the benefits of close communal relations, of having to really work intimately (and physically) with our neighbors, to be part of an enterprise that really matters and to be fully engaged in meaningful social enactments instead of being merely entertained to avoid boredom.
Years from now, when we hear singing at all, we will hear ourselves, and we will sing with our whole hearts."
"The Long Emergency", 2005, by James Howard Kunstler, Grove/Atlantic, Inc., publisher.
Posted by: Kristina Mata | May 22, 2008 3:35 PM
I, too, knew some of the Catonsville Nine. They felt called to witness to God's Kingdom calling us to something far different than the ways this world is following. Indeed, they were following in the footsteps of the prophets.
The prophets engaged in witness actions in their own time and place, as well as writing down prophecies. They were focused on the people of their day following false gods, and they fervently believed that this world could be very different if people renounced the false ways and turned to God's ways. Dispensationalists miss the point, and are not Biblically sound.
We are to witness to a different reality that could be in place on earth as in heaven, as Jesus taught us to pray. In the first place, that means living transformed lives day by day. For some of us, that will mean following calls to public witness actions such as those of the Catonsville Nine.
Posted by: Bill Samuel | May 22, 2008 8:59 PM
I heard about this when I was in the Navy. Didn't realize it was nuns who did it. Interesting...very interesting.
Posted by: Sara | May 24, 2008 9:45 PM
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