The Atlanta Inquirer

THE BIBLE SPEAKS
By Reverend John A. Middleton

We have recently celebrated Christmas. It was the birthday of One who was born amidst the tensions, stress and strains of the first century. The name of the Person is Jesus, who is known as Christ. The word "christ" means "anointed." This means a special inspiration from God for a specific mission.

We believe that Jesus fulfilled the mission in a unique fashion and is therefore entitled to be regarded as the Christ. Or shall we say that he was the Christ and therefore fulfilled His mission in a manner becoming to His nature? The fact is that He took seriously a way of life that He felt to be adequate for all of the stresses and strains and tensions of our times. Jesus lived out His days in complete devotion to that way of life. He faced brutality and even death in consummate loyalty to his chosen way of life.

When the followers of Christ recovered from the shock of His death they adopted their Master's way of life. It was but a short while before they were feeling the same stresses, strains and tensions that Jesus felt. It was marvelous that the followers of Jesus found their Master's way to be adequate for them also. They, too, could face cruelty and death in their Master's faith.

Every age brings its stresses, strains, and tensions. It is a fact that tension is caused by man's inhumanity to man. Remove the inhumanities and the foundation for most of our tensions will be destroyed.

Much has been written and spoken lately decrying the tension created by the student non-violent protest movement. It has been said that only the "agitators" are "stirring" up trouble and bringing about tensions, stresses, and strains. The argument is that we must find a "better way." Peaceful solutions to our problems cannot be found amidst so much tension. Thus the argument runs.

The logic of this argument is that we must be at ease, and relaxed in order to find solutions to our problems. Just remove all tensions and let's all be happy and at ease and we shall sit down together and solve our problems.

This type of reasoning has been seen in articles published in some of our daily newspapers; heard from the pulpits and the platforms in recent weeks. It is not new. On the contrary, it is as old as man's inhumanity to man.

Several things should be said in response to this type of reasoning. First of all, it considers tension from only one point of view. This point of view is of the person who inflicts the injustice. It does not consider the tension in the hearts and minds of those upon whom the injustice is inflicted. The emancipation of the slaves brought tensions to the masters. But there is incredible tension in being a slave.

The segregators say we must remove the cause of tension, but there is tension in being segregated. The threat of losing your business profit brings tension. But to shop where your dollar is welcome at one counter and not wanted at the other is also a situation fraught with tension. Both areas of tension must be considered.

It must also be said that some of history's greatest moments have been moments of terrible tension. It was a tense moment when Moses presented the Hebrews' request for freedom to the Pharaoh of Egypt. It was a tense moment when the English people presented the Magna Carta to King John for his majesty's signature. It was a tense moment when King George saw the "John Hancocks" affixed to the Declaration of Independence. It was a tense moment when Luther tacked up his 95 theses and declared his faith in the priesthood of all believers. It was a mighty tense moment when Jesus faced the Cross of Calvary. The very universe itself was rift in the tension. The Veil of the temple was rent; the earth quaked and the sun refused to shine.

It must also be said that tension brings some of our greatest opportunities. At their most serious moments, tensions and crises equal each other and both together equal a great opportunity for good.

If there is great destructive potential in a tense situation, there is also a corresponding constructive potential in a situation of tension.

The Bible speaks to our times when it calls us to use tensions creatively. It says, "if thine enemy hungers, feed him . . . (not fire him) ... Do good to them that persecute you ... Love them that hate you . . . Go two miles when you are compelled to go one."

Let us try practicing these during 1961. Our racial tensions will disappear like snow in the summer's sun. So will segregation. Give us courage to use our tension creatively, O, God.