reflections on 'the kite runner'

July 1, 2016
I recently read 'The Kite Runner'. The story of betrayal, of violence and assault done by humans to other humans, and the destruction people caused in the name of God both infuriated and saddened me.  The book traces the main character's attempt at redemption and forgiveness, but it didn't feel quite complete or wholly resolved, and I believe this was the author's intent. I suppose the worst part was realizing that the most disgusting, cruel, or unfathomable parts of this fictional story are most likely occurring somewhere in the world right now. It is unsettling to realize the utter depravity of human hearts, the capability of humans to do the most despicable things, and how disillusioned we can be as to how crooked and wicked we are. The story stuck with me the rest of the day and led me to ponder a few things. 

1. Many people in the West are startled and a bit unsettled when they read the stories in the Old Testament that show how angry and wrathful God was at different times.  There were many depictions of injustices, violence, and despicable acts done to children in 'The Kite Runner' that made me feel incredibly helpless and angry.  But it also made me realize why God must be an angry and wrathful God.  If He is not, He cannot be just. We often have this notion in the West that anger = hate, or that anger = not good and not becoming of a person. But this notion is false. There are plenty of events of injustices, of violence, of hate, of betrayal, of people taking advantage of the helpless and the innocent that should cause us to anger and to demand that justice be carried out, retribution be enacted, and the wicked be held accountable for their actions. And if that's how we feel in the face of injustice, how much more should God when He watches us ruin and violate His beloved children with our selfishness, our wickedness, our greed, and our lust, and often times in His name. If God were not an angry and wrathful God in the face of such things, He would not be just. And a God who is not just is not worth worshiping or knowing. 

2. Perhaps an angry and wrathful God unsettles us because we don't like to consider how evil our hearts can be. It's easy to read the news and be angered by the complete ridiculousness and wickedness of certain people. Often, my follow up thought is 'thank goodness I have not fallen into doing such wickedness'.  It's comforting to think 'at least I am not as bad as those people'.  But after reading 'The Kite Runner' and reflecting on it, I believe the more apt saying is 'But for the grace of God goes Christine'.  Had it not been by the grace of God that I was born where I was born, raised by who I was raised in the environment that I was in, taught what I was taught, saved by Christ, etc., I could have just as well believed I was doing humanity a service by doing some deplorable things. While it's hard to recognize how wicked the human heart can be, it can be even more difficult to recognize how wicked our hearts are and how capable we are of the same deplorable actions that disgust us.  

3. The book doesn't fully resolve all the injustice and violations of human dignity that occurs in its storyline.  And that is both unsettling and realistic. There is much injustice throughout the world - the rich taking advantage of the poor, the powerful taking advantage of the weak, helpless, and innocent, the wicked gaining success and victory, etc. And often times, these injustices are not fully resolved on this earth in this life; the wicked are not always punished and the innocent are not always liberated. Could this life really be it? Could all these injustices really be left unresolved, imbalanced or all of eternity? Can the wicked really get away with all the havoc they have wreaked without ever being held accountable? Are the innocent to suffer and no one held accountable? Thank goodness it is not so! Thank goodness life doesn't just end here. God will judge. God will balance the scales. God will punish the wicked. And the wicked will be held accountable. Every heart's cry is that wickedness will be accounted for and that justice should triumph. 

4. In the face of so much unresolved justice, it is difficult to imagine that there is no God in this life, no final accounting for evil, and that the wicked, if clever enough, can get away with all they want. What's interesting to think about is how here in the West, with the comforts of our lives, our successes and wealth to fall back on, we have the loudest doubters of the existence of God. Whereas many studies show that in the countries in which there is much suffering, much injustice and terror, few comforts, the existence of God is rarely doubted. Of course, people may point to lower education or 'religion as a crutch' for this lack of doubt. But is it really so simple? There are plenty of incredibly intelligent people who believe in God. And is religion a crutch? What if it is because these people see reality as it is - with all its sufferings and unaccounted for wickedness - there must be a God, a God who reflects and will enact the justice and wrath that is the yearning and cry of our hearts, for were we not made in God's image? 

The scepter of the wicked will not remain
    over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
    their hands to do evil.

Lord, do good to those who are good,
    to those who are upright in heart.
 But those who turn to crooked ways
    the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel. (Psalm 125: 3-5)