Although this is a problematize post, I feel like there isn’t a problem or a conflict with my beliefs and with the book Peace Like A River. I do believe, however, that there are situations that arise in this book that are a problem for some Christians.
The first problem is dealing with vengeance. In the very first chapters two boys, Israel Finch and Tommy Basca, threaten Ruben’s father and family. (Page 12) The most common response to human beings is to seek vengeance on these two boys especially after they placed tar all over the front door of the Land’s house. Surprisingly, the father is not worried about it, doesn’t complain about it, and doesn’t plan to correct the two boys for doing this horrible thing to his house. When people read this and see that Ruben’s father is different than any other person, this may seem puzzling to them. They may begin to think “Why didn’t he do anything back to them? Why isn’t he angry? Why doesn’t he talk to their parents? Why does he not complain about cleaning up the tar and not complaining when the tar doesn’t come off the door?” Ruben’s father had every right to be upset and to correct the two boys but instead he stayed calm and didn’t complain. As a student of SEU, I think the culture here would like us to take on the attitude of Ruben’s father. How many times have the RA’s or RD’s heard about someone wrong doing someone else when instead we should follow God’s word and turn the other cheek? How many times have the professors heard us complain about the amount of work that is given to us when instead we should be like Ruben’s father and do what needs to be done without griping or complaining?
The second problem is dealing with fear. On page 3 it says, “My sister, Swede, who often sees the nub, offered this: People fear miracles because they fear being changed- though ignoring them will change you also.” As human beings our natural tendency is to be scared and to not do certain things because we are afraid of what may happen when in fact when we don’t do those things, we end up changing. Southeastern’s main focus in my opinion is to follow the will of God for your life no matter what that may be or how that may look. Sitting through chapel and even getting to know people here on campus, I sense that majority of people are afraid of doing what God is calling them to do, including me. But besides doing the will of God, I feel as if the students on this campus are afraid to really encounter God like He would like to encounter us. We may say that we are willing, but if you look around, are the students here really willing to do whatever it may take? As many students are afraid of the will of God or miracles because they are afraid of where it may take them, ignoring them will take them to places- places that they may not want to go to.
Although this book, Peace Like A River, may not go against our beliefs or the way Southeastern thinks but it does challenge the way we do things as Christians. It challenges us to against our human nature and not take vengeance on one’s that have threatened us or has already began to hurt us. It challenges us to not fear miracles and the will of God in our lives. This book certainly challenges our ways of doing things but I personally think that it will strengthen us to become better as followers of Christ.
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