Courageism: The Account Perspective

Note: At the behest of Scott Somerville, I have written the following on “courageism.” It can also be read at Mr. Somerville’s blog, along with other teen blogger’s thoughts.

Courage has a lot of meanings in the world today. Some take it to be bravery – that is, facing our fears. Others believe courage is perseverance – that is, persisting in what we have set out to do. These two primary elements, and others form the crux of courageism (a phrase, admittedly, I’ve never heard up until this day). They form a vital part that is too often lacking in the train of Western thought. Yet, Jesus Christ embodied this perfectly.

Courage as Bravery
It’s almost a stereotypical situation when someone is told that bravery is not the lack of fear, but facing fear in spite of oneself. In the Gospel accounts of Matthew and John, we can see the anguish and fear with which Christ looked forward to His crucifixion. Yet, despite the difficulties, the inevitable pain, He went forward to His Cross with joy and triumphed – redeeming man from sin. In this aspect, we must be faithful – despite our fears, our worries, and the things that it might cost us (in the cases of Christ, King, and Gandhi, it cost them their lives) – despite all of that, we must face it. Terrorism is not a pretty thing and it will not be an easy enemy to defeat (coming from my theological point of view, an enemy that we cannot defeat) but the battle must still be fought.

Courage as Perseverance
Perseverance – continuing what you are doing until the goal is accomplished – is obviously an essential portion of courageism. After all, if we do not have that attitude to finish the job, it’s not going to get done. I am reminded again of how Jesus approached the Cross. Even with the difficulties on the road and the attempts to dissuade him from his disciples, He continued on to Jerusalem. Even when the teachers of the law and the Sanhedrin abused Him and cursed Him, even when brought before the most powerful authorities in the land – Pilate and Herod – He persisted in His silent witness. Even when He was beaten and scourged in such brutality such that He could barely stand, He carried His own Cross – going willingly to His death. Even when He could have given up His life before the appointed time, he persisted in fulfilling the word of the prophets in taking of the vinegar. And when all had been accomplished, he said, “It is finished.” “Perseverance,” says the Apostle James, “must finish its work that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1, NIV)

Courage as Zeal
Zeal, too, is vital. If we no longer have the passion for what we fight for, we shall surely be defeated. Zeal is rewarded in the Scriptures – as we see in the case of Phinehas, the son of Aaron (Numbers 22?), and in the case of King David (1 Samuel 17). It is also the case with Jesus. During the week before His crucifixion, He preached in the Temple every day. Among His words was a stinging rebuke to the leaders of the people, “Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” sounded throughout the holy mount. He cleared the Temple of barters and traders who were systematically robbing the Israelites when they came to sacrifice before the LORD. He cast them out, fulfilling the prophecy, as John says, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” This is vital…Zeal means we have the energy to continue to fight and carry to cause forward.

Courage as Vision
There can be no victory without a Vision. Dr. King had a vision – “I have a dream…” – and it cost him His life. Jesus had a vision as well – “I pray for them, Father, that they might be one, even as you and I are one.” His Vision was that the Redeemed would worship “in Spirit and in truth” and be united in that. He suffered, He taught them servant-leadership, gave them the authority and the call to be one in Him. Paul carried that on, “Is Christ divided?” (1 Cor. 1). The Bride of Christ will be whole and one – that was the vision of Jesus. In order for this courageism to be contained, we must have a definite vision, a goal, an ultimatum.

Courage in Love
“And faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13, ESV). “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, I am but a noisy gong and a clanging cymbal. And if I prophesy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that removes mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13:1-2, ESV). “God is love. Whoever abides in love, abides in God and God in him.” (1 John). The Christian message is preserved in love. Courageism cannot sustain itself (“Apart from me, you can do nothing” -John 15, ESV) and without God’s aid and His love, we shall not seize the victory.

Courageism, then, is made up of these five things: Bravery, Perseverance, Zeal, Vision, and Love. With these, there is nothing that cannot be defeated. As our Lord once said, “Take heart, for I have overcome the world” – and He did….He did.