The Banality of Evil in JESUS’ Execution Saves Us

The “Banality of Evil”, that’s the term Hannah Arendt coined, when reporting on the famous trial of Adolph Eichmann, the Nazi personnel responsible for organising the transportation of millions of Jews into concentration camps. She was highlighting the fact that Eichmann was only doing his job faithfully and responsibly. He was not concerned about the right and wrong of his actions. His motives were not evil, but just as normal, as any other bureaucratic servant in government. Yes, it is true in many senses, but how do we decide what is right and wrong? Take for example, an unemployed scientist, like myself. What if I was offered a job on a scientific project to create the most advanced weapon systems, whose sole aim is to bring destruction. (The Manhattan project - the creation of the atomic bomb as shown in the movie Oppenheimer is a classic example). Do you think I should take up such a job? In all likelihood I might take up such a job, since it will put food on the table and is an opportunity to be a part of something prestigious to work with your peers. 

In the Bible, we see Noah embarking on a project to build the most advanced piece of engineering of his time and for the ages. Its completion would bring about the destruction of the world. Is this justifiable? Was he part of the banality of evil? These are difficult questions to grapple with. However, it is the victor who defines history and writes the story of right and wrong. Pontius Pilate had a choice to make, punish Jesus or let him go free. In the Gospel of John chapter 19, it says that: “Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews gathered there, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” Later Pilate asks Jesus: “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” 12 From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free…

Here we see that Pilate is trying to make a moral judgement, he is pursuing the truth, and finds no grounds for Jesus’ execution. However, he does not have the power to stop the sequence of events. “The Banality of Evil” or should we say the “banality of sequential evil”. Sometimes the momentum and speed at which certain events take place make it hard to put a stop, as the sequence of events have already been initiated by someone else with more power. In this case, the one who handed Jesus over to Pilate, the temple authorities. That is why Jesus says, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin. But Jesus had the last word, because although He was crucified, He rose from the dead. He knew beforehand what would happen, He knew He would be killed and raised on the third day. He knew the Gospel would go to the ends of the earth, and His story told HIS WAY.

Therefore, we can rest assure, that despite the banality of evil that we maybe a part of in our daily lives as we hold positions of responsibility and power, that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has the end in mind, and knowing what will happen, the big picture, that destruction leads to salvation -because of Him. Hence, if I get a job offer to be a part of creating the most advanced weapons systems, I could take it up knowing that our Lord has made a way to bring about salvation as the end goal. My hope in this saves me.