Interpretation & Ignorance: A Very Bad Mix

Dominating the headlines today was this story:

'Christian warrior' militia accused in plot to kill police

(CNN) -- Nine people federal prosecutors say belong to a "Christian warrior" militia were accused Monday of plotting to kill a Michigan law enforcement officer and then attack other police at the funeral.

Six Michigan residents, two residents of Ohio and an Indiana resident were indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit, Michigan, on charges of seditious conspiracy, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction, teaching the use of explosive materials and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade and FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena announced.

The group says on its Web site that Hutaree means "Christian warrior" and proclaims on its home page, "Preparing for the end time battles to keep the testimony of Jesus Christ alive."
In the "About Us" section of the Hutaree Web site, the group says, "We believe that one day, as prophecy says, there will be an Anti-Christ. All Christians must know this and prepare, just as Christ commanded."

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I shake my head every time I'm made aware of an extremist group like the Hutaree. The people attracted to such a group share the same characteristics, it seems: gun-toting, anti-government, pseudo-military, rural fanatics. They cling to guns like they are bibles. They wear fatigues as if they are vestry garments. They don't like Democrats, they don't like Republicans. They don't follow the laws of the land because they believe those laws are opposed to Christ. All of them. And if the law enforcers ever come calling... bang, bang, bang.

And in their struggle against the government (which they consider the Satanic agent of the Antichrist), they are willing to take human life — any life — and in any way justify it. The ninth member of this Hutaree group was arrested Monday night, charged in a plot to kill a Michigan police officer and then gun down his funeral procession. All in the name of their "general" Jesus Christ.

How do groups like this form? How in the midst of the Gospel writings, the words of the apostles, and the examples of the saints can they develop such extreme theology? Are they even true Christians?

I'm still shaking my head at all this. Almost all Christian "cults" have two foundational elements at their base: a radically different interpretation of the scriptures and an ignorant view of the end times. When interpretation and ignorance meet, disaster follows.

Know your Bibles, folks! Study the Scriptures! Surround yourselves with more than one viewpoint so you may know, through the Holy Spirit's guidance, which theology is wise and just.

It doesn't take much for a person, a couple, or an entire family to go from sound to extreme theology. Sometimes they listen too much to a popular radio preacher, read every book by a best-selling author, or subscribe to a nationwide ministry. What starts out as new and exciting can soon consume the mind and spiritual life of an individual. Please don't let strange and new theologies consume you! There is no wave of theology new under the sun.  Everything has crept up before in church history. If something has been rejected repeatedly, it probably isn't worth following today.

The Hutaree are wrong. Jesus did not preach war. He did not command His followers to fight. As a sheep before its shearers is silent, He laid down His life willingly, enduring great scorn and great shame. In the Upper Room He said that His followers would be known by their love (and not their semi-automatic assault rifles and military fatigues). As for using brute force, didn't Jesus tell Peter in Gethsemane, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword"? And didn't the apostle Paul tell the early church, "But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need"?

Blessed is the meek one. Blessed are the persecuted. Blessed are the righteous who are wronged, whether by government or by neighbor. Our God will see from heaven and act on our behalf in His timing.
Pray for peace.

-- Brother John