Good Cops Kill Jesus
Good Cops Kill Jesus
Such Is the Muck of Good Citizenship ... But the Story Doesn’t Have To End There
Most people who have a long conversation with me about my book, Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen, bring up Station 12 — in which Jesus dies on the cross — and the four-word sentence I use three times in that two-page reflection:
Good cops kill Jesus.
An early reader on Amazon quoted it in his written review. I’m quietly asked about it in private chats. And every podcaster who’s interviewed me in the two short months since I released the book has wanted to discuss it.
Good cops kill Jesus. Not bad cops. Not rogue cops. Not corrupt cops. Good cops.
Different perspectives
The most recent such public conversation was with host Bretigne Shaffer of “What Then Must We Do?” (available at Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Google, Buzzsprout, PodcastIndex, and right here on Substack!).
“What Then Must We Do?” is focused on anarchist/voluntarist solutions to socio-political problems, so our conversation headed toward social structures and how to navigate improvements in society. It’s expected that anarchist/voluntarist pursuits would tend toward critiquing government enforcement, and we certainly did in this podcast!
Previously, “The Jeff Macolino Podcast” (and Substack posts for Nov. 29 and Dec. 6) was a more broadly philosophical discussion. “The Bad Roman Podcast” (and Substack post for Dec. 13) dug more into the Christian devotional aspects of a deeply Gospel-based book. Both of those conversations also eventually landed on Station 12.
Admittedly, I wasn’t surprised. I figured “Good cops kill Jesus” would be a very provocative part of the book and would attract plenty of feedback. And once I started this Substack, I looked for a chance to emphasize the lessons of Station 12; the Christmas season seems like the best time for it! (really, no joke!)
Stephen and Saul/Paul
Dec. 26, the day after Christmas (and the day before this Substack article debuts), is known in some Christian circles as a memorial for Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:58-60).
As with Jesus’ death, the body politic turns against Stephen, the “law” is used to justify his execution, but there’s also an opportunity to scaffold on “the muck of good citizenship” and get to a change of heart.
The Bible records at least one of Jesus’ killers having a moment of enlightenment, but doesn’t tell us if this Roman enforcer follows through with a real conversion, nor how others treat him if he does.
With Stephen’s death, the Bible recounts one of the most zealous Israelite law enforcers not only standing guard at Stephen’s stoning and later “trying to destroy the church” (Acts 8:1-3) with “murderous threats” (Acts 9:1-2). But unlike with the anonymous centurion, the Bible does tell us what happens to this stalwart among good cops: He repents!
He is Saul, better known as Paul, perhaps the most surprising of the Apostles.
The model of change for good citizens, including good cops
Paul is extremely conscientious and orderly, personality-wise. He’s very organized, and he likes structure and a high degree of rationality. As a younger man, it’s no wonder that he is drawn to government, law and policing.
His repentance is astounding — some might say miraculous (Acts 9:3-9) — but not because he gives up his conscientious, orderly ways; he keeps those. What he changes is his justification of coercive civil authority and its inherent, intrinsic evil.
Indeed, Paul eventually writes more books of the New Testament than any other author. His letters are full of orderly advice and calls to social organization, but without using violence to force compliance.
And Paul is able to do this to the fullest extent because some generous people witness his transformation and allow him a place in the growing Christian community (Acts 9:10-28).
If good neighborliness is to increase in the world, then good citizens from all levels of the imposed, hierarchical social order must be welcomed to bettering their values, perspectives, behaviors, and commitments.
Will enough contemporary fans of monopoly-violence institutions learn from the repentance of Paul?
Will enough already anarchist/voluntarist folks learn from the courageous, attentive invitation of those early Christians who witnessed Paul’s turn to real virtue?
The Early Church and their most surprising member show us the way to go from good citizen — and good cop, no less! — to good neighbor instead.