Defeat Extremism?

While pedaling the stationary bike at the Y yesterday morning, the TV above the machines was tuned to CNN where a talking head was urging that we defeat extremism.

Here’s my assertion: Extremism is not necessarily bad. Though it can be, and often is bad, its badness depends upon 1) what the cause is, and 2) what extreme measures are being taken in pursuit of that cause.

To burn the house down to rid it of the mouse is extremism.

We have seen pleas to “defeat extremism” so that the listener’s values are surrendered in order to tolerate (and eventually endorse) the speaker’s, while the speaker’s values are maintained. The listener’s values are denied, even punished.

So it may come as shockingly counter-cultural to understand that, in an important sense, Jesus is an extremist. He urges that a man forfeit the whole world, if necessary, to preserve his soul. That’s extreme. That’s more extreme than forfeiting a building, or a bridge, or a tower, or an airplane. “Whatever it takes,” he implores.

If extremism means die for a cause, what matters is that it be the right cause. If you must, cut off your right hand and gouge out your eye. That’s extreme. But it’s better to lose one member than lose your own life in hell.

If extremism reflects intolerance, the intolerance should be aimed at that which absolutely should not be tolerated, and the intolerance should be delivered at the right time. In his unmatched patience and forbearance, God is very tolerant, but his tolerance has limits. It will one day end. His justice requires that he not be tolerant forever. Unrepentant rebels will receive retribution forever. Forever is extreme.

What extreme steps does God take so that his forever-intolerance not be exercised against his chosen ones? He crushes his Son, his perfect and undeserving Son. To death he bruises him. That’s extreme. Believers embrace that act of extremism as the only solution for their guilt and alienation from God.

Yes, let’s do what we can to rid the human race of suicide bombings and terrorist attacks. Praying for and working toward converted hearts is the best path. Meanwhile, embrace the extreme actions God took to have his wrath absorbed in Christ. His extremism saves us. The cross is extreme.