|
ECONIMAIL
16 October 2000
I write with reference
to the ‘Rights and Worship’ section included in your Autumn 2000 (Issue
26) edition of Lion and Lamb. It was certainly food for thought. However,
I must confess to having trouble digesting the message. At first reading
the juxtaposition of the two ‘comments’ struck me as most unfortunate, for
I could not believe that there could be any possible comparison to draw
between the two scenarios. I felt it was deeply offensive to our brothers
and sisters around the world who daily face persecution to be given a place
alongside the complaint of an Orangeman about the right to march. Yet, upon
reflection, the placing of the two articles together may actually be a piece
of editorial genius - allow me to explain.
If this section is read
and understood as a whole it contains a marvellous piece of what we could
call ‘literary subversion’. In essence the reader is presented with two
stories - one of an evangelist in Vietnam who is imprisoned for his faith,
the other of a Christian Orangeman who has been prevented from walking his
traditional route.
Both are christians
and therefore will appeal to scripture and prayer for guidance in their
specific situation. Both have been called to be followers of Christ and
in the words of Luke 9, … to take up his cross daily and follow me. However,
the end result is sadly very different.
Our brother in Vietnam
has heard that call and clearly understood the radical ramifications of
discipleship - to talk to him of his rights makes no sense - just as it
makes no sense to insist on the right to do anything (even worship) after
reading the New Testament.
The sad thing is that,
placed side by side, these articles show only the failings of evangelicalism
in the west, where our preoccupation with rights has eclipsed the priority
of the gospel. The picture of Pastor Van Hoang sharing Christ with the woman
next door via the water pipe is so potent a picture of gospel priorities
it renders the second comment bankrupt of any true credibility. Rather we
find it incredible that the issue of Orange marches could so occupy the
mind when our brothers and sisters are literally dying for the faith. So
the subversion of the second comment is worked by the first.
Perhaps a concerted
effort to teach the ramifications of true discipleship, and to explain what
‘taking up the cross’ actually means would result in christians like Pastor
Van Hoang , who having lost their rights, will be freed to do anything to
serve Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Stuart
Noble
ST.ANDREWS
20 November 2000
I write to comment on
‘The Rites of Drumcree’ by Mervyn Gibson, which appeared in Issue 26 of
Lion & Lamb. I find, in my own life, that Jesus’ message in the gospels
can become submerged when I multiply words. I do that when I get impatient.
I think that Mervyn
Gibson could know ‘what Jesus would do’ if he asked him with no conditions
and with an open mind. Our theological preferences will not then drive our
choices and hopefully we will not react to those with whom we disagree.
As christians we preach the gospel, but should not ‘react’. Jesus’ kingdom
is not of this world (John 18:36; Heb.12: 1-3).
This may be a naďve
question. Do the members of the Orange Order take Jesus with them on their
marches? Isn’t being a member of the church of God and of the body of Christ
enough for christians?
Wishing you every blessing
Philip
Youngman
SWANAGE |
