(April 2002 Edition)
Editorial - "Do Not Fret, Do Not Falter"
At the Lord's Table - "Abba, Father"
Editorial
"Do Not Fret, Do Not
Falter"
The scriptures warn us: “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be…brutal…treacherous…conceited…lovers of pleasure…” (II Tim. 3).
These are days exactly like those of Habakkuk. “Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralysed, and justice never prevails” (Hab. 1:3-4).
In the past few months, millions have watched as terrorists gloat over thousands of ordinary people burning and tumbling to their deaths. They have watched a Serbian dictator, charged with the cold-blooded slaughter of tens of thousands of helpless women and children, sneer contemptuously at his judges. They have watched Muslim fanatics on suicide missions repeatedly massacre innocent bystanders. And for decades they have watched the particularly ugly spectre of civil war as men commit heinous crimes against their own brothers.
In a back street in Kingston, thirty (some say fifty) private militiamen wreak deadly vengeance, dragging little children out of hiding and blowing off their heads. Like the Chaldeans described by Habakkuk, they are “a feared and dreaded people…they are a law unto themselves…they all come bent on violence…and scoff at rulers…they sweep past like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose power is their god” (Hab. 1:7,9-11
They are in Bosnia, Kosovo, Moscow, the Congo, Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Guyana, New York, Ahmedabad, London, Ramallah, Jerusalem. The brutes are everywhere. They roam free, unconvicted, or are quietly assisted to escape custody. With a corrupt legal system, and clever lawyers in their pocket, they laugh at ‘justice.’ Very few of any of these “feared and dreaded people” are ever convicted. Most walk jauntily out of courts free men (and, increasingly, women).
It is the injustice of life in 2002 that most pains the godly man and woman. Just as it did the biblical prophets: “They trample on the heads of the poor, and deny justice to the oppressed. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil” (Amos 2:7;5:12-13). How true of today!
Most of us nowadays routinely experience deep injustice on a personal level. A very small instance is mentioned in the news from May Pen. We learn of the aged losing their legitimate pensions. Poor brothers and sisters are crushed by the powerful. Small or large, it hurts.
What are we, as Christadelphians, to do? Sadly, we have heard of some who have become deeply depressed and cynical, and are losing heart.
This must not be. We have been told long ago what the world will be like in our time. We know exactly what to expect. Cynical revulsion is not the answer. Neither is merely hiding our head in the sand like an ostrich.
The word of God gives us the answer. Grace is “reaching more and more people,” causing thanksgiving to “overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, [on television, for example] but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (II Cor. 4:15-18 NIV).
More practically, Paul tells the Philippians, “whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved – and that by God” (Phil. 1:27-28).
Finally, take note of Paul’s remarkable comment that follows (Phil. 1:29): “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.”
At the Lord's Table
"Abba, Father"
"Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him (that is, in that spirit) we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Rom. 8:14-15).
In these words, Paul tells us that as brothers in Christ we have a “daddy” relationship with Almighty God. Many brothers and sisters, like Paul’s contemporaries, are uncomfortable with this kind of relationship. They feel it is too familiar, downgrading the greatness of God and bringing Him down to an inferior human level. But, in reality, for all the saints it is an extraordinarily precious and reassuring privilege.
Paul knew that “Abba” was Jesus’ affectionate way of addressing his heavenly Father. After all, he was the Beloved Son in which the Father was well pleased. But the leap of understanding and faith that led Paul boldly to grasp the same amazing grace, and tell us to share it, was no doubt derived from Jesus’ moving -- and truly revolutionary -- story of the two very different sons and their indulgent father.
The Father
Is God indulgent? He is, dangerously so, as
Luke 15:12 tells us. Likewise Psalm 106:15, where it says of the Israelites
as God’s “sons,” He gave them their desire, but sent leanness into their
souls. Exactly like the prodigal son.
In Jesus’ graphic picture story, we see two very different sons, with very different attitudes.
The older son
The older is diligent and prudent, and looks
to his long-term future interest, no doubt anticipating inheriting the
property as the firstborn. Outwardly, he is ‘faithful’ in human terms, yet
inwardly he is totally selfish. He has no love at all for his father. Have
you noticed that he actually disowns any trace of a ‘son-father’
relationship? He says to his father, “All these years I have been
slaving for you,” as if he was in bondage to a slave master that he
loathed. And to his brother, “Your father (not, you notice, our
father!) has killed the fatted calf.”
To Jesus the supreme story-teller, the ‘loyal’ older son is not a son at all. Yet the father loves both sons equally, “dividing his property between them.” This, we must assume, only outraged the older son, who only has contempt, even hatred, for his younger brother -- and, it would appear to me, for his father too.
The younger son
To the father, the younger son, despite his
headstrong waywardness and his stupid fling with immorality and “wild
living” is precious. He is “this son of mine.” Note how the older son even
echoes his father’s phrase in mockery: “this son of yours.” As he
runs home, the first word uttered by the empty-handed runaway is
“Father”! He has the true “spirit of sonship.” He overcomes fear with
love. And his father releases him from fear of slavery. He is a “Daddy.”
He “ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” -- unwashed
and unkempt as he was. Though he deserved being a slave, yet he is
treated as a precious and beloved son. No probation to test out his
genuineness. He is immediately at peace with his father.
Reaching the
“Abba” relationship
To reach the “Abba” relationship, as the
younger son did, demands, in Bob Marley’s famous cliché, that we free
ourselves from mental slavery. The older son, though privileged, blessed,
dutiful and outwardly obedient, is a mental slave. Everything he has ever
done for his father is drudgery, hoping he would soon be able, as he puts
it, to “celebrate with my friends” -- with his father no doubt
conveniently passed off the scene! And, true to life, when the father put
on a party for the whole family and the estate workers, the older son stayed
right outside in his grudgeful mental misery.
No mental slavery
There is no fear in love. No mental slavery.
The beloved apostle John expounds the heart of Jesus’ matchless story in his
first letter. “If we claim to be without sin (as the older brother did) we
deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins (as
the younger son did), he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (as the father did) (I John
1:8-9).
It’s a wonderful story Jesus told, a marvellous exposition of our Father’s love and our present relationship to Him. Our sins have been cancelled, forgiven. There are no theories of the atonement, there is no ‘theology’ here. Just unmerited love to the repentant.
This table is a rather solemn substitute for the party of the parable, with its “music and dancing” (yes, we have to imagine Jesus dancing with sheer joy!). It is here at this table that we can truly call God, “Abba, Daddy”.
Jeremy Neate
Which Christian congregation (ecclesia)
- Had “love for all the saints”? (two answers).
- Was “slow to learn”?
- Had “quarrels” among its members?
- Was “dead”?
- Had “many thousands” of members?
- Was being exhorted at “midnight”?
- Was “loved by God”?
- Noted for “gentleness”?
- Was a “model to all the believers”?
- Was told that “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”?
- Was described as “bewitched”?
- Tolerated “that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess”?
Note: Questions are from the NIV.
We sympathize with those who dislike the name ‘Christadelphian’ – chiefly because of the unhallowed zealotry with which it is gloried in by some. In the mouths of those who are carnally minded, who are not intellectual enough to appreciate the true excellence of the truth, and not civilized enough to show forth its meek and noble spirit, it becomes a mere piece of harsh denominationalism in which the glories of the truth are hidden from view”.
Robert Roberts, 1889
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him…and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up (James 5). Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance…for I was sick and you looked after me’ (Matt. 25).
Visiting
On this topic I believe I can offer
suggestions based upon recent experience.
I am sure James is right. Prayer has been the main cause of my survival. It is what he calls “prayer offered in faith.” These are not self-conscious prayers full of long wordy phrases, just heartfelt, simple prayers that the visiting brother or sister obviously believes deep inside will be answered. And Jesus highlights the essence of good sick visiting: “you looked after me.”
Chatting can be wearying. Remember Solomon’s advice: let your words be few. Sitting quietly, if possible with a gentle touch, is better than chit-chat. Better still is unostentatiously doing little things I cannot do for myself, like reaching for a drink, or handing me a tissue. But leave the nursing to the nurses. Merely being there in person, with a smile and a kind word, is deep therapy.
Avoid stupid remarks like “How are you?” (you will probably get the right answer!). Or “You look great today!” (unless, of course, I really do!). And don’t offer to “do the readings.” Just select a few appropriate verses and join with me in a brief prayer. I have found immense comfort in well chosen verses, obviously selected with much thought beforehand. And I have been amazed at how God has a message in His word for every saint and every conceivable situation in our lives.
Witness
Sick visiting is a great witness to the
truth. I have noticed that atheists and unbelievers rarely have visits,
while Christadelphians often have the most. Seeing the loneliness of some
hospital patients has brought me to tears. You will be surprised how much
people notice and are impressed by brotherly love. But remember that a
quiet, humble witness is far more effective than deliberately trying to
impress, as many ‘church people’ do on their drama-style visits to hospitals
in the Caribbean. The faithful care and attention I received day after day
from my husband and my brothers and sisters in Christ, especially one sister
in particular who stayed by my bedside throughout forty consecutive
sleepless nights, was a witness for Christ worth more than a hundred costly
public lectures. In a London hospital, I had visits from complete strangers
who heard that I was there, and speedy delivery of copies of Bible Basics
in Ukrainian and French to my ward proved to be providential.
Cards
‘Get well’ cards are not to be despised as a
kind of proxy visit, especially for very busy people or those with small
children. But don’t imagine just sending a card is as good as a visit: it
isn’t! But when too many visitors would overwhelm a very sick person and
perhaps make their illness worse, cards are a wonderful reminder of love and
fellowship in Christ. When, recently, Sis. Gwladys Heaster was critically
ill in a hospital just across the road from mine, cards filled every corner
of the ward to the amazement of the staff. Yet that was only a small
fraction of the total number received. The most touching cards that I
personally received were from brothers and sisters who remembered that on my
golden wedding anniversary I was semi-comatose with septicaemia, perhaps my
worst day on the ward.
Use cards with the cheery message Get Well Quick! with great caution. To those with lengthy, chronic, or possibly terminal illness, such cards may seem a bit of a mockery and are most inappropriate. Likewise avoid ‘funny’ cards. One’s sense of humour wears a bit thin after a few years of debilitating illness. In the spirit of James’ words above, not even Paul’s prayer for divine healing was answered in the way he would have liked (II Cor. 12:8-9). Instead, choose cards with beautiful scenes or flowers, especially those with a spiritual message of comfort and which emphasize our scriptural hope of immortality. When I am reminded by someone of Philippians 3:20-21, I am greatly uplifted: “The Lord Jesus Christ, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” That is the kind of body I am dreaming of.
And Paul goes on to say: “That is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends” (4:1). He told the Thessalonians, “Encourage the timid (I am one of those, for sure!), help the weak, be patient with everyone.” That is a simple, splendid guide for visiting the sick.
Mary Eyre
A History of Religions in the Caribbean
by Paul Bisnauth
Kingston, Jamaica: Kingston Publishers.
The opening sentence of the book says it all: “The Caribbean is a multi-religious community.” Witnessing to, and living day by day an “exclusive” faith in such a milieu is not easy. We can needlessly upset sincere people by misrepresenting their beliefs -- far worse to ridicule them, or even appear to do so. It is not helpful if we invite friends to a meeting, and then sing (even to ourselves) about “papal superstition” and Mahomet’s imposture.”
What makes this book so much more valuable than any other guide to the Caribbean religious scene is that it is written by a West Indian churchman of East Indian origin and Hindu background. So it does not have a euro-centric bias. Within its 225 pages it is remarkably comprehensive, and enormously helpful.
It provides accurate information about the beliefs and religious life of Hindus and Muslims, Rastas and Shango, Maldevians and Moravians, Quakers and the White Robed Army -- and a vast multitude of other religions that brightly color our cultural and ecclesiastical scene.
When the brutal, greedy, fanatical European conquerors arrived in the Caribbean at the end of the fifteenth century AD, they supposedly found “savages,” and then proceeded to enslave and destroy, the beautiful, gentle and peaceable Arawak peoples. The Arawaks were like that because they believed in and worshipped “one supreme, invisible, immortal and omnipotent creator whom they called Jocahuna (Wamurreti-Kwonci in Guyana): ‘Our Maker.’ In the beginning, when everything was under water, he said “Let there be earth” and earth appeared. Mountains rose out of the water and earth became covered with vegetation. Animals appeared on earth and, at a later time, so did man.”
You can find explanations here for the “nine nights” celebration after a funeral, and why many Caribbean parents use a pet name rather than the true name when their child is young. The author discusses the origin of religious acts such as “trumping.” It is evident from this book that the Lord’s supper in Caribbean churches is not even remotely like the Christadelphian (biblical) breaking of bread, and it highlights the fact that our prospective and new members need to learn the difference and appreciate its real significance.
Personal names are of enormous religious significance in the Caribbean, especially to Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Rastafarians. They are sacred. It is considered a blasphemous insult, for example, to shorten Mohammed Ali to M. Ali or Ras Shadrach III to Mr. Shadrach.
This book also -- indirectly -- demonstrates clearly that in the Caribbean the Bible is read and loved greatly, but chiefly as an inexhaustible mine and source of support for a host of “private interpretations” and weird cults.
Here is a little pot-pourri of questions and answers to test if you need to get and read this book!
1. What is the “Holy Congregation of the Remnant of Israel”? 2. What is a “haji”? 3. What two categories of persons do not have to fast at Ramadan? 4. What is Sri Narayana (pronounced Shrinarine)? 5. What is Tadjah? 6. What salvation does a good Hindu look forward to? 7. Where is Bogoyana worshipped? 8. What does the Code of Manu require? 9. What is a “chapelle”? 10. Where is the headquarters of the White Robed Army? 11. Where is the headquarters of the Bobos? 12. Where are Saint Moses and his consort the goddess Oya worshipped? 13. In what island is Elephon worshipped? 14. When, where and by whom was the first university in the western hemisphere established?
Answers:
1. The Jewish community in Barbados. 2. A Muslim who has made the mandatory
pilgrimage to Mecca. 3. Pregnant women and the chronically ill. 4. A
Caribbean Hindu sect believing in one supreme all-loving God (they are not
idolaters like many Hindus). 5. A Shiite Muslim festival celebrated in
Trinidad. 6. Nirvana, that is, a final release from the cycle of death and
rebirth (re-incarnation). 7. Guyana. 8. Total obedience of women to
fathers and husbands. 9. A Shango meeting place in Trinidad. 10. Agricola
in Guyana. 11. Bull Bay in Jamaica. 12. Haiti. 13. Trinidad. 14. St.
Thomas Aquinas University in the Dominican Republic, founded by the Roman
Catholic Dominican monastic order in 1538.
Alan Eyre
Clues to Puzzle One: Colossians 1:4; Ephesians 1:15; Hebrews 5:11; I Corinthians 1:11; Revelation 3:1; Acts 21:20; Acts 20:7; Romans 1:7; Philippians 4:5; I Thessalonians 1:7; Acts 14:21-22; Galatians 3:1; Revelation 2:20.