Christian humility is not an affirmation of abuse or low self-esteem. It is not a retreat from the world’s suffering and pain or a shrinking back from all expressions of power.
To the contrary, Christian humility begins with a positive assertion: We are children of God, made in God’s images, created for Shalom. As God’s own creation we have an inherent dignity and status that cannot be taken away by any human being or earthly power. Indeed, precisely because we are confident about our divine status–a status conferred on us by God, not by ourselves, our achievements, other people, or the state–we can adopt a posture of vulnerability and love in all circumstances, even when confronted by people who threaten us. Christian humility is a voluntary letting go of coercive power in a way that reflects the very character of God. Its best exemplar can be found in the person of Jesus Christ.
John Roth, Choosing Against War: A Christian View, 103-4.
