As wise as serpents as innocent as doves

In the discussion of the church's role in public society in relation to Islam, Christians often invoke the phrase "be as wise as serpents as innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). It's a phrase that encourages the tension of loving our Muslim neighbour whilst not being naive to schemes of Islamisation and political aggrandisement. Many sectors of the church are seeking to "stand in the gap" and speak out about the threat of policial Islam in Britain and find this a helpful verse. And yet....

The context of Jesus' injunction to the disciples is the initial missionary foray amongst the people of Israel, and it's a throw-away piece of advice about where the disciples should enjoy hospitality. That is, Jesus is warning the disciples that, even among their own kith and kin, they will be outsiders, so they ought to be aware that they are not entirely at home. Jesus seems to be be guarding against the disciples getting too comfortable with those who show them hospitality, because the kingdom they are sharing does not sit well with everyone; even with those that ought to know better.

In the context of Islam in Britain, Jesus' injunction sounds a little too much like, "be as canny and devious as you can with Muslims so long as you stay nice and loving (at least on the surface) because they're out to get you". Read in context, we might still find a relevant piece of advice that says something like, "don't forget that as followers of Christ, you're outsiders in Britain. People will welcome some of the things you say, give you power and prestige for speaking up about certain things, and they will hold seats in government or even be church leaders. But don't be taken in; always cling to love."

So I suggest a moratorium on the use of the phrase "as wise as serpents, as innocent as doves". Truly an example of the dangers of scripture being used for our own ends; being domesticated to serve us rather than stirring us to serve others and ultimately God.

Comments

[benedson]

this has no reference to the post! but I'm really pleased that you've started to blog again!!

[Jonathan Evens]

Hi Richard, I'm Rachel Evens' brother and Rach has just given me a copy of your book, which looks really interesting. I thought you might be interested in some resource materials that I have produced for the Contextual Theology Centre on 'Engaging with faith communities'. They can be downloaded from: http://www.theology-centre.org/CTCFaithspack.doc. All the best, Jonathan Evens - http://joninbetween.blogspot.com/

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