Bush Disagrees with Jesus?

Jerusalem: May 15, 2008
U.S. President Bush gave a speech to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament today.
Part of his remarks were interpreted by many as a political swipe at Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama:

"Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord, if I could only have talked to Hitler, all this might have been avoided." We have an obligation to call this what it is — the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."

It could possibly be taken as more of an unintentional swipe at the teachings of Jesus than a jab at Obama, which would be ironic since Bush is a self-proclaimed evangelical Christian.

Talking to those with whom we disagree is "false comfort", "appeasement" and "repeatedly discredited by history"?

Bush believes strongly in redemptive violence; that retaliation is helping God in his work of judgment and vengeance. Jesus taught that violence doesn't redeem violence, it only accelerates the downward spiral of human depravity.

Jesus, Gandhi, King--just a few who rejected the notion of redemptive violence and sought to show us a better way of "combating" our enemies.

Consider the radical teachings of Jesus:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:38-48)