Living and Acting Without Fear

by Stan Dotson

We are at a point in history where it is essential for us as people of faith to reaffirm the biblical truth that good governance is based on what God has shown humanity to be good: justice, compassion, and humility (Micah 6:8). The recent actions in Venezuela and the continuing threats to Latin America and the Caribbean are in direct contradiction to these divine requirements, and betray the base motives of a government bent on the opposing values of resource imperalism: conquest, control, and arrogance. 

Lest this response come across as partisan, we confess that the current display of hubris and power is not new to our national history. The current administration’s actions are different in degree, not type. We have two hundred and fifty years of consistent expressions of resource imperialism and extractive economies, especially in Latin America. The current occupant of the White House simply shouts what has historically been whispered, openly flaunting what has historically been disguised by a facade of democratic ideals. The Bible consistenly portrays the folly of such hubris. The prophet Isaiah most clearly spells out the demise of leaders and systems of government that believe they can act like gods (Isaiah 14:12-20). Absent a national repentance of such idolatry, the U.S. is destined for a total collapse, as has happened to all such empires throughout history. 

In order to live and act without fear, we need the prayers of our brothers and sisters who have long shown courage in the face of imperial threat. We ask for continued prayer that we may summon the courage to commit ourselves to following Jesus of Nazareth, who fearlessly set his face toward Jerusalem … We commit ourselves to strengthen our solidarity with our family of faith in Latin American countries, particularly in Cuba, as they are living under direct threat.

We also confess that these violent and unjust actions would not be possible without the compliance of a public that has grown accustomed to a surplus economy made possible by military conquest and control. This historical moment is not simply calling for a prophetic denunciation of the enthroned, but a self-reflection of our role in creating the scaffolding on which the construction of empire can continue. No matter our political leanings, if we are benefitting from the abundance of a standard of living, with relatively cheap oil and goods made possible through ill-gotten gain and violence, then we, too, are subject to the prophet’s warnings. We do not have to be the ones dropping bombs or wielding assault rifles. We, like Saul of Tarsus, are “holding their coats” (Acts 7:58-59) whenever we participate in and support a consumptive economy that demands ever-more goods to maintain and raise our standard of living.

We understand that the primary weapon being wielded by the U.S. administration is not a bomb or a gun; it is fear. And we refuse to be captive to fear. Almost a hundred times in scripture, in similar contexts of powers trying to intimidate and threaten the people, the Word of God comes: “Be not afraid.” We commit to living in resistance to fear-mongering, to trust in the security that comes from being in community, not from arms, to trust in the abundant life that comes from sharing, not hoarding.  

In order to live and act without fear, we need the prayers of our brothers and sisters who have long shown courage in the face of imperial threat. We ask for continued prayer that we may summon the courage to commit ourselves to following Jesus of Nazareth, who fearlessly set his face toward Jerusalem in order to be in solidarity with the crucified peoples of the world. We commit ourselves to strengthen our solidarity with our family of faith in Latin American countries, particularly in Cuba, as they are living under direct threat. We commit to continue accompanying them with our visits, our re-distribution of resources, our prayers, and in our advocacy for justice as we speak truth to power. We are grateful for all the ways they are teaching us how to be church.