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Journey | F r o m t h e P r e s i d e n t Give an Account of Your Stewardship
Jesus told His disciples a parable about an unjust think of how our money will affect the future. Jesus financial manager in Luke 16:1-13. It is well worth counsels His disciples to use money to win people reading, meditating on, and applying to one’s own into the kingdom. Too often we view worldly stewardship. In the story, the wealthy estate owner wealth as unrelated to the work of God. We need demands that the servant give an account of his to learn to use material things for future spiritual stewardship, because he had been found to be irre- benefit. Too often we let money control us, when it sponsible in squandering the master’s possessions. should be our servant. Too often we are short-sight- He is going to be fired. The servant acts quickly to ed. We need to think far ahead. Unless we are provide for his own future. He doesn’t want to end found faithful in the use of money, we can’t be up digging ditches or begging for money, so he seeks trusted with greater things. We cannot serve both to endear himself to those who owe his master God and money. Our love cannot be divided. money. He removes the usurious interest rates and As we consider how to use our money and posses- receives payment for what the debtors actually sions to further God’s kingdom, we need to think of owed. Surprisingly, the master commends the ser- placing it where it can have the greatest effect. vant for his shrewdness. He doesn’t condone uneth- We need to invest in ministries where we will see ical behavior or dishonesty, but he praises him for people saved, discipled, educated, and multiplied. planning ahead and providing for his future. We need to invest in ministries that have a long- Jesus’ application is even more interesting than the term affect. We need to invest in ministries that story itself. He tells the disciples that whereas the share our values. When we enter His Kingdom, ungodly can’t be trusted to act ethically with their may we be greeted by those we helped to win. money, at least they look to the future and plan ahead. He says the same is not true of the sons of light. We could learn a thing or two from the sons of this age. We need to learn to be as shrewd as the unjust manager. We need to plan ahead. We need to use our money more propitiously. We need to Kenneth Alan Daughters President, Emmaus Bible College 205799_EP:05107c-EMMA Journey Win 05 7/14/08 11:30 AM Page 4
Journey | m a g a z i n e Features/Departments
Journey Magazine, volume 6, issue 2, Summer 2008
Understanding Muslim Teachings Journey Magazine is published by Emmaus Bible 6 and Traditions: A Guide for Christians College, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. A book review by Kenneth Fleming Opinions expressed in articles published in Journey Magazine are not necessarily those of Emmaus A major force that is impacting every corner of the globe, the Muslim world view is little Bible College. understood in the politically correct West. This book is needed reading in the complexity of today’s political and religious scene. Editor: David A. Glock Assistant Editors: Ken Daughters, Ken Murray Pray, Pay and Obey Bible Editor: Dr. David J. MacLeod Circulation Manager: Angie Hubbard 12 David Glock Design, Lay-Out: Jesse Lange & Big Behr Design Co. Online-Journey: Jesse Lange Obeying God or Man: How to contact us: 15 The Dilemma of the Man with Two Countries Journey Magazine Dr. David J MacLeod Emmaus Bible College 2570 Asbury Road Two articles that treat the relationship of the Christian citizen to the secular government Dubuque, IA 52001 under which he lives. These will help you establish balance in this important tension. (800) 397-2425 www.emmaus.edu Black Christians and Liberation Theology Editor: [email protected] 22 Tony Hart Subscriptions: [email protected] College Admissions: [email protected] Understand in a fuller way the present debate in the political arena over Alumni: [email protected] Liberation Theology and what the Christian response should be. Correspondence School: [email protected] Believers Stewardship Services: The Military Chaplaincy: www.believerstewardship.org 26 A Constitutional Provision Other: [email protected] Dr. Ken Botton Journey Magazine is available online at: www.emmaus.edu/journey Be excited about the ministry being carried on by Brethren chaplains around the world. Be challenged by a wide open door of evangelism in the military. Journey Magazine will consider, but is not responsible for, unsolicited articles. Send submissions to Editor at the address above. Submissions cannot be returned The Ethics of War unless accompanied by SASE. Advanced query is rec- 30 Mark Woodhouse ommended. What are the components of faith that make up a Christian world view concerning war? This article will help set guidelines as you formulate your personal position in this important debate. Epicenter 34 A book review by Dr. Jack Fish A book that makes you think about the present world situation; a review that makes you think about the book. Read both and be informed!
Travel Guides ...... 4 To The Praise of His Glory ...... 8 A Word Along the Way ...... 38 On The Road ...... 42 Dr. MacLeod Asks ...... 44 News from Emmaus ...... 45 205799_EP.qxd:05107c-EMMA Journey Win 05 7/16/08 3:25 PM Page 5
Journey | F e l l o w Tr a v e l e r s TravelersFellow Letters to the Editor
To the Editor For the past 45 years I have been associ- ated with assembly-like fellowships that I was privileged to sit under the teach- have neither a written statement of ing of William MacDonald in the early faith nor policies as urged by Mr. Thanks so much for Journey 60s at Emmaus. I doubt that there is MacDonald. Yes, there are differing Magazine—I read the last issue from another man that I have more respect opinions on both important and non- cover to cover! for than Brother MacDonald. essential issues but still with a remark- able degree of unity and the blessing of Connie Newcome However, it was with some disappoint- going on in fellowship around Christ Inman, KS ment that I read the article and those things we hold to be funda- "Fundamental, Important, and Non- mental. essential Issues" in your Spring 2008 Thank you for continually producing an publication. Even though I agree with I fear that the assemblies, by forming excellent Journey Magazine. The win- the basic premise as condensed at the policies as suggested, may be on the ter 2007 edition was excellent in both beginning of the article, I find it a little road to relegating themselves to nothing layout and content. The articles by Dr. disconcerting that assemblies are urged more than another denomination on McRae and Dr. MacLeod were especial- to "adopt a position" (four times), the corner for people to pick and choose ly good. "adhere to that position," "respect the from depending on personal preferences. prophetic stance," "adopt that as the In fact, based on an individual's choices Helen and Duane Ackerman official stance," "adopt a policy," "adopt from the "Important" items list, one Warrenton, MO a clear united position," and "adopt a could find plenty of clergy/laity church- clearly stated position." es to choose from, thus calling into question the need for the assembly as Having been raised among the Brethren we practice it. and attending the assemblies the first 21 years of my life, I never heard ministry I am greatly thankful for Bill on adopting "policy" on these issues. I MacDonald's faithful service and do distinctly remember discussions of proven ministry. I hope this article will whether the assembly should even have not be his legacy. a written "Statement of Faith" with the argument that "the Scriptures are our statement of faith." Jon Lindberg Kingman, AZ
CONTACT THE EDITOR
Journey Magazine welcomes your letters and e-mails. Please send letters to: Journey Magazine, Emmaus Bible College, 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001. Send e-mails to: [email protected]. Please include your full name, town, state, Emmaus class year (if applicable) and daytime phone number.We reserve the right to edit letters for length and suit- ability. Opinions expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect those of Emmaus Bible College.
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Journey | Tr a v e l G u i d e s TravelGuides
Rethinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This World Mark J. Bertrand Crossway Books, 2007 This ambitious volume seeks to rethink worldview, restore wisdom to its central role in the Christian life, and regain a credible and creative witness in the wider culture.
Above All Earthly Pow’rs: Christ in a Postmodern World David Wells Wm. B. Erdman’s Publishing Company, 2006 In this prophetic call to the evangelical church,Wells stresses that Christians need to confess Christ as the center in a society lacking a center, as the sover- eign in a world seemingly ruled by chance, and as the one who can give meaning in a nihilistic culture.
The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog James W. Sire Intervarsity Press, 2004 James W. Sire’s bestselling book on worldviews, now in its fourth edition, explains and evaluates eight different perspectives ranging from Christian theism through naturalism and existentialism to New Age and postmodernism.
Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept James W. Sire InterVarsity Press, 2004 In this companion volume to The Universe Next Door, James W. Sire offers his refined definition of a worldview and addresses key questions about the history of worldview thinking, the existential and intellectual formation of worldviews, the public and private dimensions of worldviews and how worldview thinking can help us navigate an increasingly pluralistic universe.
Politics and Public Policy: A Christian Response Timothy Demy and Gary Stewart Kregel, 2000 Written from within the U.S. and Canadian evangelical and national experience, this insightful volume presents views of Christian engagement with society that are applicable to citizens under any government. The contributing authors examine the shape of local, national, and international citizenship and how it can be lived in submission to the supreme Christ. Also included are helpful insights into the inner workings of politics, government, and international relations.
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Why Government Can’t Save You: An Alternative to Political Activism John F. MacArthur Jr. W Publishing Group, 2000 This new release in “The Bible for Life” series takes a look at the political responsibilities of a Christian. Pastor and author John MacArthur delves into what the Bible reads about a Christian’s responsibility toward authority, the biblical purposes of government, and how to support governmental leaders.
Foundations of Christian Thought: Faith, Learning, and the Christian Worldview Mark P. Cosgrove Kregel, 2006
Think Biblically! Recovering a Christian Worldview John F. MacArthur Jr, with Master’s College Faculty Edited by Richard L. Mayhue and John A. Hughes Crossway Books, 2003 With the truth of the Bible as a foundation, MacArthur and Mayhue, with several other scholars and teachers from The Master’s College, confront the false world- views that dominate our postmodern world. The authors specifically provide a model from their chosen areas for cultivating a biblical mindset on gender, worship, psychology, creation, education, history, government, economics, and literature.
A Guide to Christian Ambition: Using Career, Politics, and Culture to Influence the World Hugh Hewitt Nelson Books, 2006 Hugh Hewitt has worked for and with people in some of the most powerful and influential positions in the country. He knows what is required to reach and thrive in such positions, and in this book he shares some of that valuable, hard-won knowledge.
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce John Piper Crossway Books, 2007 John Piper’s biography of William Wilberforce takes readers beyond Wilberforce’s battle against slavery and explores the beliefs and motivations of this influential evangelical politician.
To order contact John Rush at the Emmaus Bible College Library ([email protected] or 563-588-8000 ext. 1003)
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Journey | Understanding M u s l i m Te a c h i n g s a n d Tr a d i t i o n s
Understanding Muslim Teachings and Traditions: A Guide for Christians A book review by Ken Fleming
By Phil Parshall, Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. 240 pages, paper. $14.99
brought many questions about the of Islam and give you a basis for an true nature of Islam. It became informed opinion on many of the issues important for us to understand surrounding it. But more than that how that sort of terror could Parshall’s work will bring Christians an emerge from the culture and increased understanding of one sixth religion of Muslim peoples of of the world’s population so that they the Middle East. Some people may be more effective witnesses to have lined up with those who them for Christ. believe that Islam is a violent Understanding Muslim Teachings religion and that the terror came from and Traditions was first published in a religious foundation. Others have 1994 under the title Inside the taken the view that Islam is basically a Community: Understanding Muslims peaceful religion and that those perpe- Through Their Traditions. The new Sincethe events of trating the terror are an extremist paperback edition published by Baker September 11, 2001 there have been a minority. will gain much wider circulation. It plethora of articles and books on the Phil Parshall has served as a may be of interest that the book is subject of Islam. Until that fateful day missionary in Muslim countries. He published in memory of John Speers, the world of Islam seemed distant and has written extensively on contextual- a friend of Parshall’s and an assembly relatively inconsequential to a majority ization, including two other books on missionary killed by Muslims in of Western people, including most the subject of Islam: Bridges to Islam June 1991. evangelicals. That kind of thinking and The Cross and the Crescent. His Most people are familiar with the suddenly and literally exploded and book will enlarge your understanding fact that the holy book of Muslims is
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the Quran. They are not so familiar moderate Muslims see Jihad, not so conversation with Muslim friends. It is with the much larger Islamic writings much in terms of violence by which a serious treatment of the subject and called the Hadith. The Hadith, or they hope to take over the world, but avoids rhetoric that leads to overstate- “traditions,” is a posthumous collection as an internal battle for righteousness. ment and stereotyping. Christians who of nine volumes containing the words Parshall then turns to the Hadith wish to interact with Muslim people and deeds of Muhammad and sur- and shows that time and again it will want to study this excellent book.¨ rounding history as remembered by authenticates the use of violence those close to him. It is to the Quran against the “infidels,” especially from Ken Fleming what the Talmud is to the Jewish the early teachings of the Prophet Faculty Emeritus Scriptures. Its importance lies in the Muhammad. He quotes from the The Emmaus Journal, fact that much of the thinking and Hadith “Which deed is the dearest to used by permission actions of Muslims today stems from Allah?” He replied, “To offer prayers at the Hadith. their fixed times.” “What is the next?” Ken Fleming Ken Fleming served as a missionary Parshall’s book is an examination He replied, “To be good and dutiful to in South Africa for 25 years and as of the Hadith and offers an inside look your parents.” I asked again, “What is the Chair of the Missions Department at the traditions of the Muslims. These the next?” He replied, “To participate at Emmaus Bible College for 25 years until his recent retirement. traditions strongly affect their morals in Jihad in Allah’s cause.” Parshall and attitudes. He explores twenty comments, “Here we have a prioritiza- issues related to Islam, which are of tion of the concerns of Allah: prayer, great interest to those who want to parents and jihad. All three receive understand this important religion. He considerable emphasis in the Quran.” devotes a chapter to each issue, includ- The chapter continues with no ing the Quran, Muhammad, Fasting, less than twenty-three quotations from Jihad and Violence, Salvation, Women the Hadith concerning Muhammad’s and Muhammad’s wives, etc. thoughts and actions in the exercise Within each chapter Parshall of jihad. Parshall interacts with all of whets the reader’s appetite by telling a them. It is obvious that he finds it story from modern life relating to the painful to write on this subject about subject. Then he explains why the sub- the religion of a people he loves dearly ject is important. Next he quotes rele- and for whom he has given his life. vant passages from the Hadith enlarg- He closes the chapter with the deeply ing on various aspects of the issue. In felt conviction that all groups must the chapter on Jihad and Violence he stop the use of force to gain their begins with a story about a four-year- ends. These include Muslims, Hindus old Filipino boy who took a stick and and Christians today who find them- “charged” people in the name of Allah. selves in violent conflict with their Then he explains that the word Jihad antagonists. brings to the Westerner mental pic- All the chapters of this book tures of Arab terrorists blowing up the provide excellent material which icons of non-Muslims. However, many a committed Christian could use in
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To the Praise of His Glory #6 UThenifyingPoweLisar Beatty of Music
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On the evening of September 11, 2001, members of Congress gathered on the steps of the Capitol for what CNN called “a symbolic display of unity.” The House Speaker, Dennis Hastert, R-Illinois stated: “Senators and House members, Democrats and Republicans will stand shoulder-to-shoulder to fight this evil that has [been] perpetrated on this nation.” The members of
Congress then sang an apparently spontaneous chorus of “God Bless America.”1 This simple chorus became a rallying cry for the nation in the face of the horrific events of September 11th. The song was performed along with the national anthem for the rest of the 2001 baseball season. In Dubuque, Iowa, virtually every business, church, and institution, even public schools, posted the statement “God Bless America” on their signs. I had the opportunity to sing “God Bless America” with several large crowds during this time, including the faculty, staff, and student body at Emmaus. While as a believer I know that our ultimate citizenship is in heaven, I appreciated the amazing sense of national unity created through the singing of this simple song with my fellow Americans.
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Throughout our history, a number ment in history has been accompanied have to be abolished before any pos- of songs have served as expres- by a new form of musical expression. sible reunion between the groups sions of national unity. “Hail, After his final break with the Roman could be achieved: “I say in addi- Columbia!” written in 1789 Catholic Church, Martin Luther tion that it will not be very easy for the inauguration of emphasized congregational singing in for them (the Reformers) to George Washington and agree with us, because it will “The Battle Hymn of the be necessary after peace is Republic” written in 1862 in established to do away the midst of the Civil with War both served as unoffi- cial nation- al anthems prior those to the adoption of “The German Star-Spangled Banner” as the songs, which official national anthem in they use very much in many of their churches. Are we seeking musical Who can say expression that allows us to praise how many per- sons have easi- the Lord with one voice? ly been drawn away already 1931. Although we live in a time of the church in from the true religion waning patriotism, the national order to assist people in learning Bible by these same chants? If the use of anthem is still sung at the beginning of doctrine. These Lutheran chorales songs of this type must remain publicly most sporting events in the U.S. were very different than the chants in the churches...it will not be possible In 1861, the New York Times sung in the Roman Catholic Church. for long to have unity, since many of published a column announcing a con- Chorales employed stylistic elements the words of the same songs are plainly test for the composition of a national from German folk music and were contrary to the Catholic songs.”3 hymn. The first sentence of the col- written in the language of the people. Current scientific research umn argues the need for such a song: The Reformation also gave birth to the affirms this unifying power of music. “A national hymn seems almost as metrical psalm, a metered adaptation In a 1997 study by Carol L. Krumhansl indispensable an appanage of national- of a psalm text sung in unison without of Cornell University, researchers ity, as a national flag. Patriotic feeling, accompaniment. These new song styles recorded heart rate, blood pressure, excited by any unusual incident, always of the Reformation had a profound respiration, and other physiological seeks expression in verse and music- influence on the growth of the measures while various compositions those universal mediums of emotion. Reformed movement. In a letter writ- were played that were considered to The operation is two-fold and recipro- ten in 1543 by the bishop of Vienne, express happiness, sadness, fear, or cal; the song both expresses national France to Pope Paul III, the bishop tension. They found that while each sentiment and excites it.”2 refers to the German songs that were type of music elicited a different The unifying power of music is not so effective in inculcating Lutheran response in participants, there was a limited to the expression of patriotism. doctrine. consistent pattern of change across all par- Virtually every new religious move- He notes that these songs would ticipants for each musical composition.4
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Even at the physiological level, music divisive in many of our churches? Are has the power to unify our responses! our own preferences standing in the Our final authority, the Bible, also way of unity? The title of this regular affirms the unifying power of music. Journey feature on music is “To the Second Chronicles 5 records the Praise of His Glory.” Are we glorifying events connected to the dedication of God in unity through the musical the Temple. Verses 11-14 describe an expression of our local churches? Are Lisa Beatty Lisa Beatty is the Vice President for Academic amazing expression of musical unity we seeking musical expression that Affairs at Emmaus Bible College and has been a and its effects: allows us to praise the Lord with one faculty member in the Music Ministry department voice? I do not believe that God since 1992. Lisa and her husband, Kevin have two teenage daughters. When the priests came forth from the requires us to sing in unison; however holy place (for all the priests who He does call us to unity. were present had sanctified them- selves, without regard to divisions), Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, implore you to walk in a manner Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons worthy of the calling with which you and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, have been called, with all humility with cymbals, harps and lyres, stand- and gentleness, with patience, ing east of the altar, and with them showing tolerance for one another in one hundred and twenty priests blow- love, being diligent to preserve the ing trumpets in unison when the unity of the Spirit in the bond of trumpeters and the singers were to peace (Eph 4:1-3). make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, May we glorify God through the and when they lifted up their voice unity of our musical expression of accompanied by trumpets and cym- praise and worship to Him. May we do bals and instruments of music, and nothing in our frailty to inhibit His when they praised the LORD saying, working among us. “He indeed is good for His lov- ingkindness is everlasting,” then the Now may the God who gives perse- house of the LORD was filled with a verance and the encouragement grant cloud, so that the priests could not you to be of the same mind with one stand to minister because of the another according to Christ Jesus, so cloud, for the glory of the LORD that with one accord you may with filled the house of God. one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans Not only does the passage describe 15:5-6). ¨ the musical unity of the participants, it presents a clear cause and effect rela- tionship between this unity and the 1 CNN.com, September 12, 2001. 2 New York Times, May 18, 1861. presence of God! 3 Music, D. W. (1996). Hymnology: Brothers and sisters...if God creat- A collection of source readings. Lanham, MD and ed music with such significant power London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 42. 4 Weinberger, N. M. (2004). Music and the to unify, why is musical expression so brain. Scientific American 291(5), 88-95.
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Pray, Pay Dave Glock, Editor and Obey
olitics and religion have been Principle #1 bound together since the begin- We should pray concerning P ning of the United States, from government. the Pilgrim Fathers in the northeast, the Quakers in Pennsylvania, the 1 Timothy 2:1-5 Catholics in Maryland, to the Therefore I exhort first of all that Anglicans in Virginia. The present supplications, prayers, intercessions, political scene is embroiled in religious and giving of thanks be made for all debate with pastor and spiritual advisor men, for kings and all who are in connections on left and right. The authority, that we may lead a quiet evangelical base is exploited when and peaceable life in all godliness and needed and rejected when an embar- reverence. For this is good and rassment. Moral issues and political acceptable in the sight of God our issues are blurred. Racial categories are Savior, who desires all men to be discussed without shame. saved and to come to the knowledge What stance should a believer of the truth. For there is one God take in a day of political activism? and one Mediator between God and Does the Bible give any help? The men, the Man Christ Jesus. answer to that question is clear. The Bible tells us all we need to know for One required ingredient of our faith and practice; that is, what we prayer life, both individually and col- need to know to be saved, and how we lectively, relates to the various levels should live once we are saved. We can of government under which we live. then expect to get help from God’s Please note the following from these Word concerning our political life. verses: Three principles are clear! • the various nuances of our political prayer life
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Journey | m a g a z i n e “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
• the all-inclusive nature of our the things that are God’s.” When of wrath but also for conscience’ political prayer life they had heard these words, they sake. For because of this you also • the personal reason for our marveled, and left Him and went pay taxes, for they are God’s minis- political prayer life their way. ters attending continually to this very • the divine approval of our political The time of Christ saw Israel thing. Render therefore to all their prayer life occupied by a foreign power to which due: taxes to whom taxes are due, • the evangelistic nature of our they were required to pay taxes. This customs to whom customs, fear to political prayer life was administered internally through whom fear, honor to whom honor. the publicans, like Matthew, the We have prayer lists for the author of the Gospel. The question is The authorities that exist are church family. We have prayer lists raised on Tuesday of Passion Week as appointed by God to rule and should for missionaries we know and support. an attempt to entrap Jesus in a political be supported by those over whom they Do we have prayer lists for the local, conflict between His offered Kingdom rule, by divine appointment. state, and federal officials who serve and the Roman Empire. Please note The Bible gives us clear us and determine the direction of our the following from these verses: guidance — PAY! government? It is abundantly clear that • the question of taxes was connect- they are in need of our prayer. The ed with religious practice Principle #3 Bible gives us clear guidance — PRAY! • the question was intended to be a We should obey government. trap to blur political and religious Principle #2 responsibilities 1 Peter 2:13-17 We should pay for government. • the question was raised to demon- Therefore submit yourselves to every strate inconsistency in the secular ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, Matthew 22:15-22 and the spiritual practice whether to the king as supreme, or to Then the Pharisees went and plotted • the answer demonstrates a dual governors, as to those who how they might entangle Him in His responsibility to the sec- are sent by talk. And they sent to Him their dis- ular and spiritual ciples with the Herodians, saying, • the answer is the “Teacher, we know that You are Divine Imperative true, and teach the way of God in relating to paying truth; nor do You care about anyone, for government for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You Paul expands on think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to this teaching of Jesus in Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived the Epistle to the Romans. their wickedness, and said, “Why do Romans 13:4-7 you test Me, you hypocrites? Show For he is God’s minister Me the tax money.” So they brought to you for good. But if you Him a denarius. And He said to do evil, be afraid; for he does them, “Whose image and inscription not bear the sword in vain; for is this?” They said to Him, he is God’s minister, an avenger “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, to execute wrath on him who “Render therefore to Caesar the practices evil. Therefore you things that are Caesar’s, and to God must be subject, not only because
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him for the punishment of evildoers 1 Peter 2:11-12 and for the praise of those who do Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and good. For this is the will of God, that pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts by doing good you may put to silence which war against the soul, having the ignorance of foolish men- as free, your conduct honorable among the Dave Glock yet not using liberty as a cloak for Gentiles, that when they speak Dave is a graduate of Emmaus, Philadelphia vice, but as bondservants of God. against you as evildoers, they may, College of Bible, and Dallas Theological Seminary. He has taught at Emmaus since 1968 and has Honor all people. Love the brother- by your good works which they served as Dean of Education for most of that peri- hood. Fear God. Honor the king. observe, glorify God in the day of od. He serves as an elder at Asbury Community visitation. Chapel. He and his wife Melsie have worked together at the College. They have four children, In this section of 1 Peter, Peter is all of whom serve in Assembly ministries, and instructing us in the Christian response 1 Peter 3:13-16 thirteen grandchildren. to human institutions. Three areas are And who is he who will harm you if addressed under which all people func- you become followers of what is tion - government, employment, and good? But even if you should suffer family. These are the building blocks of for righteousness’ sake, you are human society and the common com- blessed. “And do not be afraid of mand is given for each - submit! their threats, nor be troubled.” But Please note the following from sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, these verses: and always be ready to give a defense • the all-inclusive nature of the to everyone who asks you a reason command for the hope that is in you, with • the motivation of responding to meekness and fear; having a good the command conscience, that when they defame • the divine purpose of government you as evildoers, those who revile • the revelation of the preceptive your good conduct in Christ may will of God be ashamed.¨ • the warning against license • the nuances of attitudes
While Peter is the one who tells A Roman coin dating from the us “It is better to obey God than man,” first century A.D. shows the type of coin the Pharisees would have he also gives us the normative will of handed to Jesus. God in this passage — obey every ordinance of man. The Bible gives us clear guidance — OBEY! The early church lived in a simi- lar world politically. The directives of the Bible still apply and equally well.
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David J. MacLeod Obeying God or Man: The Dilemma of the Man with Two Countries
Philip Nolan was the hero of Edward Everett Hale’s classic 19th century American short story, “The Man Without a Country.” Nolan and other youthful American officers were duped into becoming part of Aaron Burr’s plot to set up a new government west of the Appalachians. The plan was discovered, and Nolan and his associates were court martialed. Still convinced Burr was a hero, Nolan impetuously told the court he never wanted to see the flag of the United States again. He lived to regret that vow and became a fervent patriot, but the verdict of the court was that his wish be carried out. For the rest of his life he was shunted from one naval vessel to another. The court’s sentence was that he was never to see America, never to hear news from home, and never to see his flag again.
Hale’s story was so realistic that hundreds wrote the Naval Department demanding that Nolan be pardoned.i
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Philip Nolan’s story was fiction, God’s Purpose for human government is a divine institu- but the stories we read in Scripture are Government and the tion; it is “established by God” (v. 1). not. A case in point is the story of Believer’s Responsibility, A frequently misapplied Scripture is Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Romans 13:1-7 Matthew 22:21, “Then render to in Daniel 3. It is not the story of men Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and 1 without a country, but of men who Every person is to be in subjection to to God the things that are God’s.” This have two countries. the governing authorities. For there is has been taken by some to mean that no authority except from God, and God is sovereign over sacred things, those which exist are established by while Caesar is sovereign over all that While we may support God. 2 Therefore, whoever the principle of the resists authority has opposed separation of church the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will and state, we do not receive condemnation upon endorse the separation themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good of God and state. behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of These three men, friends of the authority? Do what is good prophet Daniel, lived in what Jesus and you will have praise called, “the times of the Gentiles” from the same; 4 for it is a (Luke 21:24). We, too, live in those minister of God to you for times, and they will only come to an good. But if you do what is end at the second coming of the Lord. evil, be afraid; for it does not The three heroes of this historical bear the sword for nothing; event lived not only under the govern- for it is a minister of God, ment of Nebuchadnezzar, but they an avenger who brings wrath lived in light of the hope of the gov- on the one who practices ernment to come—the kingdom of evil. 5 Therefore it is neces- God upon the earth. Writing to the sary to be in subjection, not first century Christians, Paul (a Roman only because of wrath, but citizen, Acts 22:25) said, “For our citi- also for conscience’s sake. 6 zenship is in heaven, from which also For because of this you also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord pay taxes, for rulers are ser- Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). The account vants of God, devoting of Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image themselves to this very thing. offers a sobering glimpse at govern- 7 Render to all what is due ment, as it exists in much of our world. them: tax to whom tax is due; custom It is a story that reminds us that God is is secular. That is not the point of the to whom custom; fear to whom fear; text. While we may support the princi- concerned not only with the world to honor to whom honor. come but with our day-to-day lives as ple of the separation of church and citizens in today’s world. Human Government is a state, we do not endorse the separation Divine Institution, verse 1 of God and state. Almighty God is Lord of the state! The psalmist wrote, In this well known passage the Apostle “Once God has spoken; twice I have lays down five fundamentals regarding heard this: that power belongs to God” the government and the Christian’s (Ps. 62:11). relationship to it.ii The first is that
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There are two orders of reality God Requires Citizens to officers and soldiers carry modern according to Scripture: the order of Obey the Government, verse 2 weapons. What Paul is saying is that creation and the order of redemption. Second, since the government has the basis of law and order in a sinful Ultimately God is sovereign over been established by God, He requires world is force. Justice is enforced by both. It is true that He has a special obedience and submission of its citi- local police officers, military personnel, relationship to His people through the zens, especially its Christian citizens and executioners. God is not a secular redemption achieved by Christ. Yet, at (cf. Titus 3:1). We are to obey not humanist. We live in a fallen world the same time, as creator and sustainer simply because we are forced to, but populated by fallen people. The gov- of the universe He is its Lord. To pro- “for the sake of conscience” (v. 5). ernment that governs well does so from Disobedience to the govern- a position of justice and strength. ment is disobedience to Citizens are to Support the Painting by Joe Maniscalco God’s will. A Christian can- not have a good conscience Government Financially, toward God and be deliber- verses 6-7 ately disobedient to the gov- Fifth, we are to pay for the benefits ernmental structures of law of government with our taxes. There and order. are benefits, as we know: protection from hostile nations, protection from The Objective of criminals within our own borders, the Government is Good paving of our roads, the education of Order, verses 3-4 children, the care of the elderly, and Third, the divinely ordained so on. purpose of government is human justice. The role of A Christian cannot the government is to have a good conscience restrain and punish wrong- doers; the person who lives toward God and be lawfully has nothing to fear. deliberately disobedient Admittedly Paul here speaks of the governmental ideal, to the governmental but we must remember that structures of law he wrote as a citizen of and order. Rome. The person who lives lawfully will receive “praise The rest of the New Testament from the same” adds elements to Paul’s instruction in (v. 3). In other words, he Romans 13. Christian believers are to will enjoy the blessings of honor their governmental leaders vide law and stability He has estab- freedom from oppression and the tran- (“Honor the king,” 1 Pet. 2:17). We lished human government. This is true quility to live his life in peace. whether the government be totalitari- are to pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1-2). an or democratic, whether its head of The Basis of Law and Order It might also be noted that Paul never state be Nebuchadnezzar or Solomon— is the Sword, verse 4 led a public demonstration against Vladimir Putin or George W. Bush. To Fourth, the government, with God’s slavery, infanticide, or the homosexual resist governmental authorities is to approval, possesses the weapons to practices of the emperors. The Lord resist what God has appointed. enforce law and order. In Paul’s day, Jesus Himself refused to have any part the local magistrates and Roman in an insurrection against the cruelties soldiers carried swords. Today, police of Rome. In summary, it is God’s will that I
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support the government as an instru- to fall down and worship the golden all others. ment of justice and peace. Daniel and image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has In human history, from the tower his friends did. When forced to leave set up. 6 But whoever does not fall of Babel to the reign of Antichrist, Israel and family, they submitted. down and worship shall immediately be this pagan impulse keeps emerging— When forced to endure a heathen cast into the midst of a furnace of blaz- the worship of the state. Great despots education and serve an enemy govern- ing fire.” 8 At that time certain have always recognized man’s religious ment, they did. There came a time, Chaldeans came forward and brought needs. People are not long satisfied however, whey they resisted. charges against the Jews. 12 “There are with lifeless ideals, and so the state is certain Jews whom you have appointed soon embodied in a superman: People are not long over the administration of the province Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Antiochus of Babylon, namely the administration Epiphanes, Caesar, Napoleon, Stalin, satisfied with lifeless Shadrach, Meshach and ideals, and so the state Abednego. These men, O is soon embodied in a king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods superman: Pharaoh, or worship the golden image Nebuchadnezzar, which you have set up.” Antiochus Epiphanes, THE OBJECTIVES Caesar, Napoleon, OF THE SATANIC Stalin, and Hitler. STATE, vv. 1-7 Daniel and his three friends were among the Jews taken Satan’s Abuse of Government captive by Nebuchadnezzar and the Believer’s Response, in 605 B.C. Within three Daniel 3 years or so they had entered The Book of Daniel and its New the king’s personal service Testament counterpart, the Book of (1:19) and were on the fast Revelation, have much to say about track to success in Babylon. the character of human government in Then things took a turn for the world. A number of passages make the worse. Nebuchadnezzar it clear that the nature of government had an image built in human is shaped by the influence of Satan. form (90 feet high and 9 feet Daniel 3 is a significant text in show- wide) on the plain of Dura ing what perverse things happen to the (“walled place”) about six government of a nation when the Evil miles south of the city of One has his way. Babylon. He then sum- moned all of his court offi- 1Nebuchadnezzar the king made an cials and representatives of image of gold, the height of which was all foreign nations to a ceremony at the and Hitler. One need only see the sixty cubits and it’s width six cubits; he image. At the sound of an orchestra photos of Nazism’s great rallies on the set it up on the plain of Dura in the assembled for the purpose, everyone plain of Nuremberg to witness the province of Babylon. 4 Then the herald was to bow down and worship the modern reality of this kind of state- loudly proclaimed: “To you the com- image. This action signified two things: idolatry.iii mand is given, O peoples, nations and it was an act of allegiance to the state The London Times (July 29, 1936) men of every language, 5 that at the embodied in the person of reported these words of Baldur von moment you hear the sound of the Nebuchadnezzar, and it was an act of Schirach, head of German Youth, horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bag- worship, an acknowledgement of the “One cannot be a good German and at pipe and all kinds of music, you are superiority of Babylon’s gods over the same time deny God, but an avow-
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al of faith in the eternal Germany is at in His millennial kingdom (1 Cor. 6:2- banners. (5) It was united. No dissent the same time an avowal of faith in the 3; Rev. 20:4-6). This observation is not was allowed. (6) It was orderly. The eternal God. If we act as true Germans intended to ignore the biblical exam- throng gathered because of a royal we act according to the laws of God. ples (e.g., Joseph, Daniel, Esther) of decree by a state appointed herald. (7) Whoever serves Adolf Hitler, the those God has raised to political influ- It was dignified. The monarch, the Fuehrer, serves Germany, and whoever ence. It is to say, however, that the semi-god, or the superman was there to serves Germany serves God.”iv norm is for believers to submit to the oversee the events. (8) It was violent. The emphasis in verse 3 is upon present authorities. Nebuchadnezzar had a furnace espe- the officials who bow down. In such The historical account of cially built for the occasion—added totalitarian states, those in government Nebuchadnezzar’s image is not a color- incentive for those who might consider positions are often in great danger ful but meaningless tale from the past. resisting his decree.x In his book, Mein It is the doctrine of the mod- Kampf, Hitler wrote, “The one means ern, pagan, totalitarian state. that wins the easiest victory over rea- xi Painting by Joe Maniscalco Under such government the son: terror and force.” Joseph Stalin state is all. Its needs are said, “Who is not with us is against us. paramount; its demands are And if the enemy does not surrender, imperative; and its com- he must be annihilated.” He also said, mands are absolute law.vi “Morally justified is everything which supports [the state].” Stalin was echo- THE METHODS OF ing the sentiments of Karl Marx who THE SATANIC said, “Violence is the midwife of histo- STATE, vv. 8-15 ry.”xii These attitudes always emerge Writing at the outbreak of during the reigns of such egomaniacs. World War II, G. H. Lang, Metternich, the Austrian statesman, the noted Bible teacher, appealed to Napoleon to spare human observed the following quali- life. He received the answer, “A curse ties of pagan totalitarianism upon human life; I care nothing for in Nebuchadnezzar’s image:vii human life.”xiii (1) It was external and visi- Voices such as those of ble. The ninety-foot statue Nebuchadnezzar, Stalin, Hitler, and could be seen by all. As other despots are the voices of George Orwell suggested in Antichrist. The individual does not his novel 1984, the state matter; millions may be slain to advance sought to be omnipotent and the goals of “the state.” Totalitarian omnipresent— “Big Brother” governments like these breed ambition, was everywhere—“Big duplicity, lying, hardness of heart, and Brother is Watching You.”viii ruthless cruelty.xiv Everything is sacri- (2) It was magnificent; the ficed for “the state.” Soviet nuclear image was ninety feet tall physicist, B. P. Dotsenko, in his won- because of their visibility. Dietrich and made of gold. (3) It was seductive derful conversion story, tells of his Bonhoeffer, a modern Daniel hanged to the senses. Nebuchadnezzar’s orches- resistance to KGB (Committee of at the personal order of Hitler, made tra (“all kinds of music”) brings to State Security of the U.S.S.R.) the significant observation that the mind Hitler’s use of martial music as attempts to have him spy on his col- New Testament never conceives of well as the erotic uniforms of the SS leagues. He soon learned that members a believer as being part of the state. troops.ix (4) It was impressive. The of his own family (his father and his Rather, the believer “is to be in subjec- crowd was vast and representative. wife) were reporting on him regularly tion to the governing authorities” Again one thinks of Hitler’s to the KGB. (Rom. 13:1).v The believer awaits his Nuremberg rallies as well as “The same nature and methods time to rule; he will reign with Christ Communism’s May Day crowds and have marked in measure every world
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kingdom and will do so until they are the government when it insists that he set free. “And so,” continued the visi- superseded by the kingdom of the Son engage in idolatrous activity or other tor, “why are you in jail?” Niemoller of God”xv (Dan. 2, 7). It is the world in acts forbidden by God. Many scholars replied, “Why aren’t you in jail?”xix which we live. It is power for power’s believe, and I think correctly, “that sake. In sharp contrast are the words of Daniel intended this chapter to remind CONCLUSION the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples, Israel of the evils of idolatry and the Those living in the English-speaking “You know that those who are recog- necessity of obeying God rather than world have enjoyed remarkable free- xvii nized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it men.” It is evident from the New dom to preach Christ during the past over them; and their great men exer- Testament that human laws are to be two centuries. This, says G. H. Lang, cise authority over them. But it is not resisted when they prevent the preach- is “wholly exceptional” during Gentile this way among you, but whoever ing of the gospel. Peter and the apos- times, and we may not count on it wishes to become great among you tles rejected the demands of the Jewish continuing indefinitely.xx More and shall be your servant; and whoever council with the words, “We must obey more our secular culture is repressing wishes to be first among you shall be God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). the influence of the Judeo-Christian slave of all” (Mark 10:42-44). morality that has prevailed since the THE OPPONENTS OF THE We are blessed— founding of America. The doors are being quietly opened for the reemer- SATANIC STATE, vv. 16-18 for now—in America, gence of paganism, and ancient false The biblical norm is that believers are and we should use our gods are beginning to raise their ugly to submit to the government of the heads. Atheism, false deities, Islamic country in which they live (Rom. 13:1- liberty to proclaim the fanaticism, and a paganized secularism 7). There are times, however, when truth, and our vote to are actively promoting perverse moral- they must not. As Walvoord observed, promote justice. ity, idolatry, and hatred toward “It is characteristic of Gentile times Christianity (and Judaism). Nor must that there will be tensions between The celebrated German evangeli- we forget that millions of our Christian obedience to God and obedience to cal preacher, F. W. Krummacher (d. brothers are, even today, suffering in men.”xvi There are occasions when a 1868), when warned of the displeasure other lands under modern believer must not obey the state for if of the Emperor if he would not con- Nebuchadnezzars. he does he will disobey God. The ten- form to a certain decree curtailing the What then is the believer to do? sions of which Walvoord speaks will gospel, replied, “Tell his Imperial He is not to follow the philosophy of exist until Christ returns, for ours is a Majesty that I am ready at any time to Henry David Thoreau and “do his own world in rebellion against God. Daniel lay my head on the block at His thing”—choosing which laws to obey 3 is a thrilling record of three young Majesty’s command; but when His and not obey. He is to obey the laws of men who placed obedience to God Imperial Majesty presumes to be lord the land, and he is to pray for the pres- above their own lives. “O of the gospel, I despise His Imperial ident, the congress, and those who Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to Majesty!”xviii Dr. Martin Niemoller, exercise authority in state and city gov- give you an answer concerning this heroic pastor during the Nazi regime, ernments (1 Tim. 2:1-2; Rom. 13:1-7). matter. If it be so, our God whom we was accused of subverting the state of Yet he must remember that he owes serve is able to deliver us from the fur- Germany. The court acquitted him total allegiance to no earthly state— nace of blazing fire; and He will deliver but the Gestapo (Nazi secret police), not even the United States! His total us out of your hand O king. But even knowing of his assertion that God allegiance is owed to God alone. if He does not, let it be known to you, was supreme over the State, threw “In His famous answer to the O king, that we are not going to serve him into a prison camp anyway. While Pharisees, [mentioned above,] ‘Then your gods or worship the golden image in prison another minister visited him render to Caesar the things that are that you have set up” (vv. 16-18). and advised him that if he would keep Caesar’s; and to God the things that It is clear from this text of silent about certain subjects and are God’s’ (Matt. 22:21), Christ is Scripture that a believer cannot obey respect the government, he would be sometimes thought merely to have
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made a ‘clever’ answer which embar- and by false power and fame).”. Nor rassed His questioners. In fact, it was can they obey if the government a profound statement of a great truth. demands the abortion of children as in Caesar, or the temporal power, can modern China (Exod. 1:15-2:10). Nor control our actions, and can assess our can they obey if future policies require taxes; he can punish us, unjustly if he the murder of the elderly, the crippled, David J. MacLeod will; he can even put us to death. But or the mentally disabled ([euthanasia], David MacLeod received his theological education there remains, forever outside his con- Exod. 20:13). Nor can they obey if the at Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., Ph.D.). In the past he has taught at Western Bible College trol, the really vital part of our life, our state subjects their children to atheistic and Dallas Theological Seminary. He is Dean for hearts and our thoughts. These are our philosophies and pagan morality (Deut. Biblical Studies at Emmaus Bible College where he has served on the faculty since 1983. Dave also own, or, rather, for these we are 6:4-15). We are blessed—for now—in serves as Associate Editor of The Emmaus Journal. accountable to God alone.”xxi America, and we should use our liberty He frequently ministers the Word across the U.S. Dotsenko wrote that no govern- to proclaim the truth, and our vote to and Canada and at his home church where he served for many years as an elder. David and his ment “has the right to intervene in the promote justice. Yet we must be ever wife Linda have four grown children. worship of God and Christ as it is pre- vigilant in discerning the wiles of “the scribed in the Scriptures. Christians god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4) who seeks ought to obey all laws that do not to corrupt everything—including make them turn away from worship- human government. ¨ ping and serving God and Christ.” They cannot, however, obey the state if it demands idolatrous behavior or denies the right to preach the gospel. “Christ also warned that one cannot serve both God and mammon (earthly temptations by money, also by lusts
i John A. Witmer, “The Man with Two Countries,” Bibliotheca Sacra 133 (Oct., 1976): 338.
ii George E. Ladd, “The Christian and the State,” His Magazine (Dec., 1967): 4. iii The pagan and occult influences upon Nazism have been well documented. Cf. the Oxford Ph.D. dissertation by Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, The Occult Roots of Nazism (New York: NYU Press, 1993). iv Quoted by G. H. Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel (London: Paternoster, 1940; reprint ed., Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1973), 39. v Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, rev. ed. (New York: Macmillan, 1963), 292. vi Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 38. vii Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 44. viii George Orwell, 1984 (1949; reprint ed., New York: Signet, 1961), 5-6. ix Philip Rieff, My Life among the Deathworks (Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006), 10 and passim. Rieff, the brilliant social theorist and sociologist, wrote of the “perturbed eroticism” of the Nazi regime. “Remark the cut of the German uniform in the Nazi time. No more erotic uniform has ever been created.” x When Oleg Penkovsky, a colonel in Soviet military intelligence, was discovered to be working for the CIA in 1962, he was hurled alive into a cremato- rium furnace (Strobe Talbott, “Where Spies Are Superstars,” Time [June 17, 1985], 28). xi Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, quoted by Doris Roethlisberger, “Trend of Thought,” His Magazine 29 (April, 1969): 20. xii The quotes from Stalin and Marx are from B. P. Dotsenko, “From Communism to Christianity,” Christianity Today (Jan. 5, 1973), 5. xiii Quoted by Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 44. xiv Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 44. xv Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 42. xvi John F. Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation (Chicago: Moody, 1971), 94. xvii Walvoord, Daniel: The Key to Prophetic Revelation, 94. Walvoord goes on to note that the account is not a morality tale that was invented by the prophet. Rather, it is an historical account, which displays “a God who is faithful to His people even in captivity and is ever ready to deliver those who put their trust in Him.” xviii As told by Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 46. xix Donald Grey Barnhouse, Romans, vol. 9: God’s Discipline (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964), 106-7. xx Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 48-49. xxi Dean Alington, London Daily Telegraph (June 1, 1940), quoted by Lang, The Histories and Prophecies of Daniel, 200. xxii Dotsenko, “From Communism to Christianity,” 9.
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Black Christians Tony Hart and LiberationTheology
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History or Reality? needed to put behind them all of the Muslim country means something dif- pain of their forefathers of two hun- ferent than it means to a church- I was about ten years old when my dred years ago. going believer on a Kansas farm. For a father, a well-known evangelist Dr. B. One night during either my soph- slave to obey his master in the cotton Sam Hart, drove the family down to omore or junior year, John, a few fields means something different than Miami from our home in friends, and I went into town to get a union worker in Michigan. This is Philadelphia. The year was 1965 and some pizza. While we were waiting for where a different understanding of the the Civil Rights era was in full swing. the pizza, a man came into the pizza text does not necessarily mean a I remember my dad wanting to find a shop and tried to pick a fight with me. divide between liberal and conserva- place down south where we could stop He began to call me names that I tive. and get something to eat. In the won’t repeat; and he would not stop. What is being called Liberation 1960s it was a task of trial and error, The lady behind the counter called theology today is the product of doing so he pulled into the parking lot of a the police who came and told us to theology in the context of the struggle diner and told us to stay in the car leave so there would be no trouble. for freedom and equality. It has given while he found out what the situation We all got up and my friends sur- black people in America a spirit of was. As a young boy, all I remember is rounded me as we walked past the hope and determination. The songs seeing a conversation between my menace and his friends. The experi- and poetry resound with the struggle father and a man who met him at the ence was an eye opener for John. For and with the never-quit attitude. It is door. When my dad returned to the him the issue was no longer that of no wonder then that the theology is car we were told two hundred years ago but it had affected by the context of injustice, we would find become a very present reality. It is this broken families, inferior education, somewhere present reality of an ongoing struggle, corporate glass ceilings, redlining, and else to eat. which is at the heart of the different hatred. There was perspectives which blacks and whites no expla- bring to our reading of the Bible. nation but It is this present reality This is also why a black Christian I knew at listening to Jeremiah Wright or Al of an ongoing struggle, ten years Sharpton listens with a different ear. which is at the heart of the old what Rather than only hearing frustration had just hap- different perspectives over a battle that ended with our fore- pened. which blacks and whites fathers, we listen with an awareness of I went away bring to our reading of the source of the frustration. For to Grove City there to be real understanding the Bible. College after high between the races in America, we all school in 1972. My need to listen from the other person’s Black theology then considers the roommate was John perspective. Even meaningful biblical question: What does it mean to be from just north of understanding and dialogue must black and Christian for a people situ- Pittsburgh. He confessed to come from an understanding of these ated in the midst of American racism me later that he struggled different perspectives. and yet called by God to be Christ- with the idea of a black room- like? Unfortunately, much of the mate and wondered about the Defining the Struggle reflection that comes out of this the- security of his belongings. One ology centers on the pursuit of social night as we stayed up late and talked, When I went to seminary I equality rather than emphasizing the John told me he had never had a learned that the job of doing theology need for personal salvation. Some of black friend and wondered why the never ends. We are to be constantly this, I believe, is due to the fact that black students always seemed to hang exploring how to understand and most of those black theologians doing together at high school. He thought apply the biblical text to our changing the thinking are liberal in their under- they didn’t like him and didn’t want context. The Bible does not change standing of the text and so place the to be friends with him. John also but the application and our under- value of the Christian life squarely in thought that racial discrimination in standing certainly do. For an Arab the here and now. However, the fact 1972 did not exist and that blacks just Christian to love his neighbor in a
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that many black theologians have ment of God to the oppressors or those A Balanced Approach done a poor job of theology, and have in power. That is why the Pastor I believe that black Christians been influenced by socialist and Jeremiah Wright could say in his today have a tremendous opportunity Marxist ideas, does not invalidate the church “God Damn America” after list- to show social concern and compassion pursuit of properly understanding the ing a litany of perceived wrongs. It is while at the same time holding on to text in light of our context. rooted in his belief that God will con- the priority of personal spiritual salva- demn a nation that continues to com- tion. Our reaction needs to continue to mit such atrocities. This prophetic Black Theology: A Critique proclaim the judgment of God on sin speech resembles the prophets of the For those of us who believe in the while demonstrating the love of God to Old Testament as they spoke to the verbal inspiration and inerrancy of the world. That biblical skill of calling kings of Israel. While the majority of Scripture, I would argue that you can- sin as sin while still giving of ourselves Americans viewed those comments as not blind yourself to the spiritual value for the welfare of sinners needs to be unpatriotic, Jeremiah Wright would of the text even while you find a just restored in all of our assemblies. argue that it is actually out of a desire God who will deliver you from the Walter Raushenbusch (1861-1918) to see the country change. An impor- injustice in the world. The writer of is known as the father of the Social tant distinction is that in the Old Hebrews pointed out that when God Gospel. He wrote in his theology for Testament the prophets spoke thus promised rest in the Promised Land the Social Gospel, while he believed in “saith the Lord” and never came across there was another rest that was still the doctrine of individual original sin, as telling God to judge the nation of unfulfilled. That perfect rest will never the doctrine ignored the other factors Israel. That is where Pastor Wright be fully realized in this present age. We that transmit the sinfulness of man. He crossed the line from a prophetic role will only experience the rest after the writes that biology has been an impor- to a personal vendetta. return of our King and the establish- tant means of transmitting sin, but we ment of His Kingdom. Let us make sure should not overlook the social and that we do not miss that greater rest Black theology then institutional factors which also corrupt while we rightly pursue the Kingdom of considers the question: men and pass sin from one generation God even now. The emphasis of much What does it mean to be to the next. These “super-personal of the American Liberation or Black forces of evil” can only be addressed by theology focuses on the struggle against black and Christian for a changing the social norms and struc- powers that would prevent black people situated in the midst tures which promote the evil. He Christians from achieving full individ- of American racism and yet argued that biology alone did not cause ual and group humanity. The expecta- called by God to a young boy to smoke, drink and curse. tion is that a just God will right the These sins were handed down to him wrongs of the world and judge the be Christ-like? by forces larger than the selfishness oppressors. Very little is said about the found in his biology. sin of the poor and oppressed. This This prophetic voice coming from His conclusion was that if his Liberation theology is rooted and the Liberation theologians is not much understanding of the super-personal grounded in the understanding that it is different from the condemnation that agents of sin was correct, then a salva- God’s will for the oppressed to be free both white and black Christians hail tion confined to the individual’s soul and to realize their full humanity. down on America over the millions of and its personal interests was an imper- Parenthetically, that is why the more babies aborted each year. God will judge fect salvation. While much could be recent Prosperity Gospel has found America if it continues to rebel against said in support of his thinking, the such good soil in the black church. His moral law. My dad used to say, result was a movement that walked Another aspect of this tradition, “other-wise He will have to apologize to away from the priority of personal spiri- which needs to be understood, is the Sodom and Gomorrah.” Unfortunately tual conversion and focused on societal prophetic role of the preacher in this prophetic preaching, which is more change. Liberation theology. The preacher in common in the black church, is often In an effort to avoid the emphasis this context has the job of encouraging done badly and without much thought of the “Social Gospel” the liberal the faith of the people in the God of given to the way the majority commu- churches had adopted, which focused liberation, and also to speak the judg- nity would understand it. on social change, many fundamentalists
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failed to hold on to the need to love the context of a compassionate concern their neighbors and impact culture in for your neighbor’s welfare). The per- tangible ways. The term “Social spective of the black experience then is Gospel” was used by evangelicals to valuable and should be taken into describe the message of the liberal side account as we read the Scriptures, as of Christianity, which placed primary long as we are committed to a literal importance on the social justice mes- and inerrant view of the Bible. ¨ sage of Jesus rather than on the need for spiritual life and personal salvation. Tony Hart Tony Hart was born in 1954 The reaction on the part of the to home missionary parents, evangelical community was a turning Dr. B. Sam and Joyce Hart. away from the needs of the poor and He has experience in radio sta- tion management, program the oppressed in order to preach the production, and syndication, more important message of spiritual life as well as serving as an associ- and the coming kingdom of God. The ate minister with his father on the Grand Old Gospel Hour, a syndicated radio pro- importance of social action as a way of gram, which is heard nationally and internationally. living out the love of Jesus to a lost He now serves as President of the Grand Old Gospel world was not appreciated for much of Fellowship, and Senior Pastor of Montco Bible Fellowship, in Lansdale, PA. He married Carol in the 20th century here in America as 1977, his partner in ministry and the love of his life. the focus was on personal salvation. They have four children, a daughter and three sons, and a granddaughter. Tony earned an under- graduate degree from the Philadelphia Going Forward College of Bible and completed a Masters of Divinity at the Biblical As we continue to do the task of Theological Seminary in Hatfield, theological reflection in this new mil- PA. He is now working on the the- lennium it is time to move beyond the sis for his doctorate in ministry. He serves as an adjunct profes- narrow perspective of liberation or sor for Philadelphia Biblical social change. It is also necessary for us University and Biblical to see beyond the mere declaration of Theological Seminary. the gospel of personal salvation. We need to teach a balanced view of the implications of personal change on the society. Jesus said the great command- ment is to love God (in the context of a personal relationship with Him) and to love your neighbor as yourself (in
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The Military Chaplaincy: A Constitutional Provision Dr. Ken Botton
Religion in America Religion and Politics. Didn’t our parents ever warn us about raising these subjects in polite company? Then again, when did we ever listen to our parents? Well, look out folks and move over Father Mulcahey (remember the hapless chaplain on M.A.S.H.?). Here comes a discussion about the Military Chaplaincy, one of the most interesting mixes of religion and the public sphere ever invented. The fact that religion and government have co-exist- ed for millennia raises no eyebrows. With great pomp and ceremony, early “chaplains” reassured the troops, provided benedictions for the home team and maledictions to the visitors (i.e., the “bad guys”). Of course, religious options at that time for the general citizenry were somewhat limited. The ruling governments went out of their way to make the choice as simple as possible—convert to the
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official religion, or die. Early Christians the religious inclinations of all its citi- literature, communion wafers, pulpits, knew this routine quite well and zens. We know this document as the tables inscribed with “Do This in learned to loathe forced choices. Bill of Rights: The first ten amend- Remembrance of Me” and even statues Even after the Christianization of ments to our Constitution. of saints. Your tax dollars and mine the Western world, governments con- One pillar of the First purchase Emmaus Bible Courses, books tinued to name specific denominations Amendment (which protected both by Moody Press, Muslim prayer rugs, as their religion of choice. Roman free speech and religion) became Jewish prayer books, St. Christopher Catholic and Eastern Orthodox come known as the Establishment clause. In Medals, pews and confessionals. Yes, to mind most often, but Lutheran, it, we, as citizens of the United States, federal dollars purchase a breathtaking Presbyterian, Reformed and Anglican are protected from any congressionally array of religious goods. But wait, all enjoyed their moments of exclusive mandated incursions into our private there’s more. governmental favor. History tells us, for religious affairs. As Christians we have This same Congress further pays example, that Huguenots in France, surely benefited from this clause. for individuals who energetically Moravians in Eastern Europe and Presbyterians gain no constitutional preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Separatists in England (i.e., the advantage over Methodists, Roman Christ as well as those who extol the Pilgrims) all found themselves on the Catholics over Baptists, Jews over virtues of Judaism, Islam and other wrong side of governmental religious Muslims, etc. As citizens of the United faiths. We call them chaplains, and preferences. No wonder these groups States of America, we are all equal they receive the same pay and immigrated to the New World, the under the law and under the allowances as other officers of similar land of new beginnings. Constitution. rank and time in grade. Again, the Now this is where the story gets A second pillar of the First United States Government—your tax really interesting—and really complex Amendment, the Free Exercise clause, dollars and mine—pays for all of this. all at the same time. In fact, if I write protects citizens from a different angle. But wait, there’s more. this article correctly it will probably With this clause, our founders prohibit- Imagine the United States generate more questions than it ed Congress from placing any restric- Government sponsoring a Christian answers—a laudable outcome. Given tions on individuals from expressing evangelist to preach at an evangelistic this background, then, I hope to their religious convictions. Combined, event where over 70 soldiers gave first- accomplish two things. First, I will then, with the Establishment clause, this time professions of faith. Imagine a attempt to describe the fascinating means no congressional favors, no con- movie theater on a government instal- constitutional anomaly that is the gressional limitations. Sounds reason- lation filled to capacity with military United States military chaplaincy. I able. Indeed, despite the recent personnel, their spouses and children, make no pretense to legal expertise. increase in legal challenges, religion viewing an evangelistic presentation by However, I did serve as a Navy chap- still flourishes in the United States a Christian entertainer. Imagine lain and can testify the chaplaincy, largely due to this balanced approach. numerous other scenarios where the though far from perfect, works amaz- Who among us has not, at one time or military actively supports and encour- ingly well. another, thanked God for the United ages religious programming. Did Second, I would like to explore States, where we can worship unhin- Congress make a mistake? What about implications for Journey readers, espe- dered and without fear? the Establishment clause? cially those who attend Brethren Considering especially the Support for religion in the military assemblies. How should we respond to Establishment clause and its prohibi- is very real and no mistake. Rest the chaplaincy in our local fellowships? tions, just how does the chaplaincy fit assured, the Department of Defense within our Constitutional framework? receives no free pass with regard to the The Constitutional Anomaly Consider the following anomalies. The First Amendment. If anything, legal We know our country’s founders were United States Government builds mili- and fiscal critics examine chaplaincy nurtured on Scripture. Desiring to tary houses of worship all over the budgets with critical scrutiny. And, in avoid the sectarian violence that world. These chapels are furnished spite of this scrutiny, the military chap- bloodied Europe, yet wanting to pre- with a variety of sectarian ecclesiastical laincy remains an oasis of religious pro- serve religious liberties, they created a accoutrements including crosses, cruci- vision in a desert of anti-religious radical new document that would fixes, crescents, candles, vestments, restrictions. How can this be? embrace these polarities and protect prayer books, Bibles and other religious Perhaps a basic explanation for
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the enduring and unique nature of mil- delicate balance between the twin reli- preferentially, but because we are being itary ministry emerges from a landmark gious clauses of the First Amendment, treated fairly. Each of the current court challenge. In Katcoff v. Marsh Establishment and Free Exercise. And it Chiefs of Chaplains represents an (1985) the plaintiff alleged that the is for this reason that our service mem- evangelical denomination (Open Bible Army Chaplain Corps violated the bers still have access to government- Standard Church, Assemblies of God, Establishment clause and posited that a provided chapel services, Bible studies Southern Baptist). Additionally, the privately-funded civilian chaplaincy and the counsel of godly chaplains Evangelical Free Church of America would provide for a soldier’s free exer- whether in Iraq, Afghanistan or on a endorses the senior chaplain of the cise of religion. The court (U. S. Court ship thousands of miles from their Army National Guard. Clearly, evan- of Appeals, Second Circuit) dismissed home churches. What are the implica- gelicals in the military have come of the challenge and held that a combi- tions, then, for Brethren assemblies? age. We not only have a place at the nation of the War Power Clause, grant- table, in many cases we occupy the ing “ . . . significant deference to Implications for the best seats in the house. Congress in military affairs”1 and the Brethren assemblies How should we as Christians respond to the military chaplaincy? Free Exercise Clause trumped By now I am hoping that readers might First, pray for our chaplains, espe- Establishment concerns. In essence, perceive the chaplaincy anew. It truly cially those from our own household of the government had removed soldiers is a constitutional anomaly that just faith. They represent us with courage from their normal religious communi- happens to provide soldiers, sailors, air- ties for the purpose of military service. and distinction: men, Marines and Coast Guardsmen This created a government-imposed with reasonable access to religious sup- Bruce Postma (Lt. Col.) burden. Following this logic, the gov- port anywhere in the world. However, Texas National Guard— ernment-imposed burden implies the soon deploying to Baghdad even with all its attendant advantages, necessity for a government-provided some Christians still view the chap- George Hanson (Lt. Col.) remedy. And the government’s remedy laincy with a jaundiced eye. Texas Air National Guard—just conclud- of choice is a publicly-funded military ed asssignment with the Border Patrol Recent communications from chaplaincy. respected evangelical organizations Jeff Watters (Lt. Col.) The implications of Katcoff v. allege that chaplains’ rights were being U. S. Army—en route to serve in Marsh for chaplains in the United the Chief of Chaplains Office, restricted in the area of worship and States Armed Forces cannot be over Washington, D.C. “praying in Jesus name.” These state- estimated. Had this case been decided ments made great sound bites but were John Tillery (Maj.) differently, the military chaplaincy as U.S. Air Force—in charge of USAF misleading at best. They fostered the we know it today would probably not Basic Chaplain School Course impression that all evangelical chap- exist. lains were under attack and being Tim Overturf (CDR) Despite the disarming simplicity of U.S. Navy—just returned from forced to neutralize the gospel. Sadly, Katcoff v. Marsh and its expansive Iraq with U.S. Marines these well-meaning organizations cre- implications for military ministry, the ated an atmosphere of public suspicion. Jeremy Snyder (Cpt.) complex nature of the chaplaincy U.S. Army Reserve—currently deployed They actually hindered the very same to Iraq leaves it vulnerable to future chal- chaplains they were purporting to help. Jamie Johnson (1st Lt.) lenges. What about prayer? What By way of rebuttal, I am delighted about prayer “in Jesus Name”? When U.S. Army—newly commissioned, to report the climate within the mili- chaplains speak, are they speaking for en route to Ft. Campbell tary for godly Christian chaplains to themselves, the government, their Mark Johnson (Maj.) minister has rarely been more favor- church, their constituents, or some Connecticut National Guard— able. Perfect? Hardly. There are always combination? Each of these issues sum- soon to deploy individual exceptions, some of which mons forth a dizzying array of court Wayne Vandekrol (1st Lt.) been highly publicized. cases and legal reasoning. U.S. Army Chaplain Candidate— Exceptions notwithstanding, I Yet, for our purposes, the point has graduating seminary in December believe that current conditions gen- Tony Hart (Cpt.) been made. For now, at least, the mili- uinely favor evangelical chaplains. I Civil Air Patrol—Working with Civil Air tary chaplaincy (and its Veteran’s say this not because we are treated Administration counterpart) rests in a Patrol Cadets in Philadelphia
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Second, learn more about the Conclusion. chaplaincy directly from your own Religion and Politics? chaplains. Invite one of these fine men The War on Terror is closer than we to speak in your assembly. Better still, think. Recently a soldier accidentally perhaps your assembly can join forces pressed the speed dial on his cell phone with the commending assembly of any during an enemy attack in Dr. Ken Botton one of these chaplains—writing and Dr. Ken Botton represents the Brethren assemblies to Afghanistan. He left his family an the Department of Defense as Military Chaplain encouraging them as they minister in unintentional voice mail with the Endorsing Agent, Plymouth Brethren (Stewards Christ’s name. Ministries). He retired as a U.S. Navy Chaplain in sounds of gunfire and soldiers scram- 1994 and is a former editor of INTEREST Third, we need more chaplains. bling for cover. Thankfully, though his Magazine. Dr. Botton also serves as Director of The Army, for example, is currently Church Partnerships at Trinity International family was shaken, he himself was looking for as many as 500 new chap- University, Deerfield, IL and ministers as a chaplain unhurt. What if the story had a differ- at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Ken and lains for active duty, Guard and his wife Patty have been married 36 years. ent ending? What if this were your reserve. The opportunity to fill many family? We can be sure that chaplains Dr. Botton welcomes your inquiries regarding the of these billets with assembly-com- (both military and VA) would have military chaplaincy. You may email him at kbot- mended chaplains is unprecedented. [email protected]. You are also invited to visit the been available both to the soldier and Stewards Ministries web page: The good news is that there are no to his family. Isn’t it good to know that www.stewardsministries.com/chaplains.html. denominational quotas that would Christian chaplains would have been 1 Ira C. Lupu and Robert W. Tuttle “Instruments unfairly limit participation of assembly- able to respond if needed? How blessed of Accommodation: The Military Chaplaincy commended workers. The bad news? and the Constitution,” 110 West Virginia Law we are to have such provision. Though Chaplains Tillery (Air Force) Review (2007), 8. I think most of us can reasonably and Overturf (Navy) can remain on praise God that our country, despite active duty for several years to come, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) George Hanson, the continuing attacks on religious we have no chaplain candidates Texas Air National Guard, on freedoms, still deployment in Kuwait. preparing to replace them. Have you funds such ever encouraged any in your assembly ministry—yes, to consider the chaplaincy as a even for the ministry option? Brethren assem- blies! This is one mix of religion and politics that actually results in a blessing. It certainly has my vote. ¨
Gathering of assembly-commended chaplains and endorsers at Dallas Theological Seminary, 2008. Chaplains include (front row: Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jeff Watters, U. S. Army-left, Chaplain Candidate Jamie Johnson (civilian clothes)-center, Chaplain (Major) John Tillery, U.S. Air Assembly Chaplains Force-Right. Back Row (in uniform) Chaplain Tim Watters and Hanson Overturf, Commander, U.S. Navy-Left, Chaplain with former Army Chief (Lt. Col.) Bruce Postma, Texas Army National Guard-- of Chaplains, Major center. Back row in civilian clothes, left to right, Tim General David Hicks, Ralston (DTS professor and part of Trinity Fellowship), in Kuwait. Paul Leonard (Associate Endorser), Ken Botton (Endorser), Carl Anderson (Elder, Trinity Fellowship), Barbara Tillery (wife of Chaplain John Tillery).
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The Ethics of War G. Mark Woodhouse
henever a nation is fought. The reasons for which one standing of the origin and nature of involved in an armed con- nation enters into warfare with anoth- man. Just as everything else in life is W flict, questions are raised as er are, necessarily, evaluated by philo- affected by our worldview, our per- to whether or not that involvement is sophical means and reflect the ethics spective on war is likewise affected. A justified. Can one country use vio- of each participating nation, whether nation with a morality founded on the lence against another without violat- those ethics are situational or truth that man is made in the image ing the most basic principles of ethics, absolute. The means by which a war is of God would approach conflict differ- morality, and righteousness? If not, prosecuted by each participant are ently than a nation with a humanist doesn’t that make every war immoral? also established through decisions worldview. Or, if there is such a thing as a “just based on the ethics of the cultures As Christians, we must apply our war,” how can we recognize it? at war. own biblical worldview to all of our Any attempt to apply the philo- We must understand that a interactions with others, whether on sophical principles of ethics to warfare nation’s ethics in general, and any an individual or group basis. Over and seems, on the surface, to be oxy- specific ethical position in particular, above any secular philosophical basis moronic. And yet, ethics do apply— is an inescapable result of that for others’ ethics, we must superim- not only to the basis on which the nation’s worldview, of their epistemol- pose the moral principles of God’s conflict is waged, but also to the poli- ogy (theory of knowledge) and, more Word. If we properly understand these cies that dictate how it is to be specifically, of that nation’s under- principles and apply them, conflict
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between nations can be evaluated then are the same ones with which we Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas from a biblical point of view. are concerned in evaluating warfare. (1225 - 1274). Using these criteria, Additionally, there are differences the conflict’s purpose is evaluated as between the ethical and moral The “Just War” Theory to whether it represents a “just cause.” responses of an individual against an For over seventeen centuries, the Wars fought for a “just cause” are con- aggressor and those of a nation. A few church has argued the validity of any sidered valid and moral. Those who days after the attacks on 9/11, a num- specific conflict on the basis of several fail to meet the criteria are con- ber of Emmaus students asked if they moral criteria. This concept, known demned as immoral. could come over to our home and by the Latin phrase, justum bellum, has As already mentioned, the “just” watch a movie to relieve the tension been debated in both secular and reli- nature of conflict involves not only of the week. They were away from gious circles. the reasons for which a war is declared their families, and understandably (jus ad bellum), but also the way in concerned about where these terrorist Can one country use which it is conducted (jus in bello). A actions would lead. We invited them violence against another war that is declared for “just” reasons, over on the condition that I could without violating the but is prosecuted by “unjust” means, is choose the movie on this occasion. I most basic principles of still considered an “unjust” war. Not chose a western that was all about ethics, morality, and all nations conform to the standards revenge. When the movie was over, righteousness? of the Geneva Protocol of 1925 we talked with them for over forty- (sometimes referred to as the “Geneva five minutes about the difference For instance, Augustine of Hippo Convention”). When a nation that between an individual Christian’s (354 - 430) identified four of these does subscribe to the provisions of the response to 9/11 and a nation’s criteria in his writings and they were protocol faces an adversary who does response. The principles we discussed explored further in The Summa not, this imbalance of philosophies
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concerning the prosecution of the war declared. Protecting the lives of inno- or its property, especially when there causes warriors on the conforming cents is a worthy moral objective. is a pre-existing alliance with that side to face conflicts of conscience Regimes who commit human rights nation. and morality that would otherwise not violations of the most flagrant and Less obvious and certainly less be a part of their experience. For egregious kinds are generally recog- widely recognized is the “just cause” of instance, when a nation fights against nized as being immoral and, conse- punishing a wrong. Declaring war terrorists who routinely target inno- quently, conflicts against such against a nation after the fact as a cent civilians with “suicide bombs” regimes—being aimed at bringing an penalty for actions taken earlier is and other weapons that cannot distin- end to these atrocities—are justifiable. considered “just” if its execution is guish between combatants and non- Through related reasoning, wars proportional to the offense being pun- combatants (e.g., WMD), the soldiers designed to prevent the future occur- ished. It must also target only those of the conforming nation are tempted rence of atrocities are also considered responsible for the punishable act: to abandon the precepts of the justified, although not all of us agree specific individuals, the government, Geneva Protocol and mistreat enemy on the kinds of atrocities that rise to or the nation in general. prisoners, viewing them as inhumane this level of justification. Pre-emptive and almost inhuman. We saw this at strikes against a nation on the verge Is all war immoral? the Abu Graib prison. of committing crimes against inno- Of course, there have always been The criteria for declaring a “just cents fall into this area and are also those who feel that all violence is war” are many and varied. Several cri- considered “just cause” wars. This is, immoral, regardless of its purpose. Some teria address the treatment of inno- of course, as long as there is have tried to base this belief on the bib- cent individuals under the sufficient compelling evi- lical commandment, “Thou shalt not regime against which dence of such impending kill” (Exodus 20:13). On this basis sev- war has been crimes. eral groups have developed convictions Causes for war leading to a “conscientious objection” that are consid- to all war. Others have taken positions ered “just” also against such things as capital punish- Protecting include a ment for the same reason. To a large the lives of nation’s extent, these arguments are based on a innocents is a attempts to misunderstanding of the commandment worthy moral protect in question. Of the several Hebrew itself from objective. words that communicate the concept of invasion; killing, the term used in this command- or warfare ment refers specifically to the murder of declared to innocents, as demonstrated by its use in reclaim lands Numbers 35:16 - 21. Much more could and people cap- be said about this, but it is outside the tured by an scope of this article. enemy through force. The protec- What about “Weapons of tion and reclama- Mass Destruction”? tion of personal property is second The ethics of WMD like nuclear, bio- only to humanitarian logical, and chemical weapons revolve, concerns. This includes once again, around the issue of the the assisting of a friend- killing of innocent non-combatants. ly nation in its quest to Since the use of these weapons cannot protect itself, its people, be targeted against combatants only, 205799_EP:05107c-EMMA Journey Win 05 7/14/08 11:35 AM Page 36
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there is an inevitable level of “collateral So how are we to understand the adopted into God’s family, have the damage” in the way of innocent citizens justification of the wars that God confidence that God will protect us being affected as if they were combat- ordained? First of all, I would suggest (as He has protected his followers in ants. In World War II, the use of that it is not up to us to seek justifica- the past) when He pours His wrath nuclear weapons against Japan resulted tion for the actions of the Lord. Job out on the ungodly. He did this with in the death of many innocent citizens. learned this as God spoke to him out Noah, with Lot, with Israel (over and However, its justification was based on of the whirlwind in Job 38. The over), and so on. And He will do it the larger number of people that would omniscience of God alone is sufficient again with a pre-tribulation rapture of have died had the war continued for a to teach us that our reason is insuffi- the church. protracted period of time. cient to evaluate God’s actions. “Shall The use of weapons of mass not the Judge of all the world do Summary destruction by an unscrupulous dictator right?,” Abraham asked when negoti- Any understanding of the ethics of against his own people is considered ating for the survival of Sodom. The war must take into account the partic- justification for war against that dicta- answer to that question is a resound- ipants and the nature of the conflict. tor on humanitarian grounds. Such a ing “Yes!” However, if we ask the There is no direct comparison use of WMD frequently targets inno- question, “Will we always understand between the conflicts among nations cent citizens of a particular ethnicity, His just acts?” The answer must be and warfare in the spiritual realm, rather than a specific insurgency or just as resounding— “No!” Proverbs even when it is acted out through those who pose an immediate threat to 3:5 teaches us not to rely on our own physical battles. Principles that seem the security of the country. reason in trying to understand God’s so reasonable in the human arena ways, but to trust Him instead. cannot necessarily be applied to war- What about Having said that, let us briefly fare that God ordains. As Believers, War in the Bible? examine the concept of “innocence” we must understand that God’s ways as it is seen by man and by God. We, It is only natural for us to use these are higher than our ways (Isaiah mankind, do not have the right to same criteria to evaluate wars or battles 55:8,9) and are not subject to the proclaim condemnation on another. in the Bible. Were there humanitarian scrutiny of His creatures. We are certainly expected to discern reasons? Were captured lands being Nevertheless, conflicts between sin, but we have no right to condemn reclaimed? Were these pre-emptive nations where there is no clear man- another to his eternal consequences. campaigns against an enemy that posed date from God (as in modern warfare) God, on the other hand, as the holy an immediate threat to God’s people? can and should be evaluated based on Creator, has every right to do so. We What does God’s Word say about war? ethics founded in the morality that are told that the Father has commit- There are many interesting and flows from a biblical worldview. ¨ ted all judgment unto the Son (John instructive passages in the Old 5:22). Apart from the saving work of Testament that refer to battles and war- Jesus Christ, we all stand guilty before fare. Ecclesiastes chapter 3 tells us that God. We were all enemies of God, there is a time to kill (although, not to condemned under His righteous judg- murder) and a time for war. Second ment (Romans 5:10). Apart from G. Mark Woodhouse Samuel 11 speaks of a time when kings individuals who have been saved Mark Woodhouse is the Director of Technology and go forth to battle, and suggests that Chairman of the Department of Computer Studies through the shed blood of Jesus David’s remaining in Jerusalem was a at Emmaus Bible College. He in also engaged in an Christ, there are no “innocents” in itinerant preaching ministry across the country and contributing factor in his sin. In Exodus God’s eyes. Therefore, any action God teaches at teen camps during the summer. He and 15:3 the Lord is described as a warrior his wife, Laura, have two married children and takes against His enemies (unsaved as he is extolled for defeating Egypt’s three grandchildren. humanity) is exempt from the inno- army. Several passages speak of the cence criterion of the “just war” theory. Lord killing and making alive (see On the other hand, we who know Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:6). Jesus Christ as Savior and have been
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EPICENTER: A book review by Jack Fish Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle EastWill ChangeYour Future
By Joel C. Rosenberg, Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2005, xix + 312 pages, soft cover, $14.95.
About the Author which you can expect to see in your Interpretation of newspaper based on Ezekiel 38 - 39 and Joel Rosenberg is the best selling author Fundamental Issues supported by other scriptures. The dif- of The Last Jihad, The Last Days, The The first problem of Rosenberg’s book ference between these two books is that Ezekiel Option, and The Copper Scroll, is its lack of discussion over the inter- Ryrie’s book is mainly a discussion fictional novels based on biblical pretation of fundamental issues. For about biblical passages and teachings, prophecy. He is an evangelical instance, the question of when this while Rosenberg gives very little discus- Christian from an orthodox Jewish her- invasion occurs is not even raised until sion about the biblical text but uses itage who has been heavily involved in pages 251 - 252 in an appendix where massive references to current events to politics as an assistant to Steve Forbes he deals with frequently asked ques- show that Ezekiel 38 - 39 is on the and former Israeli prime minister, tions. There he asks whether this inva- verge of fulfillment. Benjamin Netanjahu. He has traveled sion takes place before or after the widely, and has contacts and interviews Rapture and whether it is before or dur- with many world leaders and officials A Summary of Ezekiel 38-39 ing the tribulation. Rosenberg views it including both Jewish and Arab leaders Let me begin by noting the message of as occurring before the Rapture near in the Middle East. He is writing from Ezekiel 38 - 39. These chapters describe the end of the church age. The issue is an extensive knowledge of internation- a massive invasion of the promised land actually quite complicated, and there al politics and current events to show by northern powers allied with the are a number of different answers given that the biblical prophecy of Ezekiel 38 nations in the Middle East which sur- by students of Bible prophecy. The one - 39 is on the verge of fulfillment. round Israel such as Persia, Ethiopia, important clue in the text is that Israel Rosenberg would say that he is inter- and Libya (cf. 38:2 - 3, 5 - 6, 15). This is at rest, living securely in unwalled preting world politics through a third will take place in the last days when villages without bars and gates in its lens. Instead of merely looking at world Israel has been restored to the land own land (38:11, 14). How could any- events through the lenses of politics (38:8, 16) and is living securely and at one say that this refers to conditions and economics as is the practice of sec- rest (38:8, 14). The purpose of this today? Yet Rosenberg spends a chapter ular analysts, he would use the third invasion is to gain spoil and plunder trying to convince us that Israel is lens of Scripture to see the true signifi- (38:12). However, while these evil much more secure and at peace than cance of what is happening in the nations are seeking to rob the wealth of most people realize and is actually on world today. He has the creative imagi- Israel, it is actually God who is drawing the verge of completing treaties and nation of a fiction writer and is a good them (38:4) in order to make himself truces that will bring about the peace story-teller, as is evidenced by the fact known through his mighty deliverance and security of Ezekiel 38. First we need that his books have sold over a million (38:16). He will deliver his people to deal with the question of what the copies. The danger, however, is that the through his own supernatural interven- Bible says regarding when Israel will be readers confuse the speculations of tion by means of a massive earthquake at rest and living securely in the land. Rosenberg with what the Bible actually followed by the self-destruction of the One possibility is during the millenni- prophesizes. enemy as they fight against each other, um. The other is during the first half of In 1969, Charles Ryrie wrote a and by other forces of nature wrecking the tribulation as a result of the small book on biblical prophecy for a havoc upon them. Chapter 39 vividly covenant the Antichrist makes with popular audience entitled, The Bible and describes the total destruction of this Israel as described in Daniel 9:27. It is Tomorrow’s News. In Epicenter, invader. hard to fit these chapters into the Rosenberg gives ten future headlines church age or the millennium. It is
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better to take them as referring to an As support of Rosh being Russia, he to Deuteronomy 33:13 which says that invasion which will take place during cites the eighteenth century skeptic, the land of the tribe of Joseph will be the tribulation. Voltaire, writing in his Philosophical blessed “with the choice things of heav- Dictionary. But Voltaire was no expert en, with the dew, and from the deep Superficial Interpretation in the meaning of Hebrew words and is lying beneath.” The “deep lying A second problem with the book is that not a competent authority to be cited beneath” suggests hidden deposits of oil when Rosenberg interprets verses, the for this point. Rosenberg also cites the to Rosenberg. However, the context of interpretation is often superficial. Let Hebrew lexicon of William Gesenius Deuteronomy and of the rest of the Old me give two examples. The first who was an expert in Hebrew, but who Testament suggests rather that the involves the identification of Rosh, died in 1842. We understand the promise concerns the abundant crops Meshech, and Tubal (38:2). These are Hebrew language much better today the promised land would produce. The the people led by Gog who come from than Gesenius did in his day, and evi- land would be blessed with abundance the remote parts of the north. They dence should be given from one of the of water from the rains above and from may well include Russia, but some of modern tools of Hebrew research. the deep, the springs of water lying the arguments Rosenberg uses are spuri- A second example of a superficial beneath the surface. Note Ezekiel 31:4 ous. For instance, he argues that Rosh interpretation leads to Rosenberg’s which speaks of Assyria as a cedar tree is Russia, Meshech is Moscow, and future headline: “Israel Discovers in Lebanon. “The waters made it grow, Tubal is Tobolsk, a modern Russian Massive Reserves of Oil, Gas.” It is sug- the deep made it high.” The parallelism city in Siberia. The fact that there is a gested that this oil might be the wealth shows that “the deep” refers to the similarity in the sound of the names has that causes Russia to invade Israel. This waters under the earth, not to deposits nothing to do with their identity. They is a dramatic claim because of the fact of oil. Golda Meir was right in saying are words from different languages that oil is one resource which does not that there was not much oil in the land which have nothing to do with each seem to be in abundance in Israel. of Israel, and the Bible doesn’t say any- other. The same linguistic error is com- There is a well-known statement of thing different. mitted by the group called British Golda Meir that “Moses dragged us for Israelites who hold that the British peo- forty years through the desert to bring Sensationalizing of Prophecy ple are the descendants of the ten lost us to the one place in the Middle East The third problem with Rosenberg’s tribes of Israel. As evidence they trace where there was no oil.” But Rosenberg book is that it sensationalizes prophecy the supposed migration of the tribe of thinks that the Bible prophesies the in such a way that it often minimalizes Dan through Europe because it left discovery of oil in Israel, and this is the Bible and even brings it into disre- evidences of their name in the why he suggests such a headline. He pute. It minimalizes the Bible in that Danube river and the name of refers to verses such as Deuteronomy many who are so excited about prophe- the country of 33:24 which says that the tribe of cy in this way spend more time study- Denmark [= Asher will “dip his foot in oil.” But the ing European newspapers and current Danmark!]. Hebrew word for oil there is shemen— events in the Middle East than they do olive oil, not petroleum. He also refers
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studying the Bible itself. It brings the when the Common Market consisted of Titus 2:13). Contrast this attitude with Bible and prophecy into disrepute seven or eight nations, many were con- the instructions the Lord gave concern- because the cry of those who say that vinced that it would expand into the ing his coming in power and glory at the end time events are about to be ful- ten nation confederacy of the revived the end of the tribulation in Matthew filled has been made so often that it has Roman empire found in Daniel 7. The 24. This chapter presents signs which become like the cry of the boy who end was therefore near. But, of course, those on earth will see during the tribu- cried “wolf” in Aesop’s fable. What the European Union came to include lation period (cf. Matt. 24:15). When Rosenberg is doing is what has been many more than ten nations, and we they see the signs, they are to recognize done over and over again by those who do not know how or whether it will that the coming of the Lord is near see biblical prophecies being fulfilled in specifically lead to the revival of Rome (24:33). The coming of Christ to rap- current events. They continually have prophesied in the Bible. Other exam- ture his church can occur at any to revise their interpretations because ples come from the days leading up to moment, and therefore there are no things are not fulfilled as they [not the and including World War II. Hitler and signs which must occur first. Our hope Bible] predicted. The result is that the Mussolini were two who were identi- is not based upon what we see in unbelieving world, whom those such as fied as the Antichrist. In 1917 it was current events but on the promise of Rosenberg are seeking to warn of a real the Bolshevik revolution along with God’s Word. ¨ judgment that is coming, ends up scoff- the Balfour Declaration at the end of ing and ridiculing not only the inter- World War I which produced the pre- 1 This was derived from Matthew 24:32 - 34. The argument was that the fig tree was a symbol pretations of certain Christians, but the diction that the end must occur shortly. of the nation of Israel, the rebirth of the nation whole subject of biblical prophecy as it At the beginning of the nineteenth in 1948 was the putting forth of its leaves as a relates to the last days. century it was the French Revolution sign of the nearness of the second coming, and a generation was forty years. Let me give some examples. In and Napoleon as the Antichrist which 1988 there were some who were saying gave the same expectations. Dr. John H. Fish III that this would be the year of the Lord’s As a result of listening to Billy return because it was forty years after Graham, Jack placed his trust The Source of Our Hope in Christ during his Junior the rebirth of the modern state of The hope of Christians that Christ year of high school. He gradu- 1 Israel. Another example comes from could come at any moment is not based ated from Brown University with a B.A. in Linguistics and the six day war of Israel in June 1967 upon what we see in current events. It when the Jews regained control over went on to receive Th.M and Th.D degrees from is based rather on the New Testament Dallas Theological Seminary. For the past 39 years, Jerusalem for the first time in hundreds attitude of the early Christians as they Jack has taught at Emmaus Bible College. He cur- of years. A friend of mine announced lived in vivid expectation that Christ rently serves as Editor of the Emmaus Journal and as an elder at Asbury Community Chapel in on the basis of Luke 21:24 that this was could return at any moment. They were the end of the times of the Gentiles Asbury, Iowa. Nancy and Jack have four grown eagerly looking for the coming of the children and eleven grandchildren. and, therefore, Christ would return Lord himself (Phil. 3:20; 1 Thes. 1:10; within the next year. In the 1960s,
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Journey | A W o r d A l o n g t h e W a y
Earnest Prayer for Our Country’sLeaders Chris Lange
Perhaps believers are asking this question: Will it make any difference if I jump into the fray, since corruption in government and the lack of honesty will just drown out my voice?
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hether or not a Christian wise men and knowledge to men of lifted up above his countrymen and should become politically understanding” (20 - 21, NASB). The that he may not turn aside from the W active is a recurrent ques- OT principle is that God establishes commandment, to the right or the tion for many believers. In fact, it can secular authority, not men. Later, in left, so that he and his sons may be a dilemma facing many who see chapter 4, Daniel reveals to continue long in his kingdom in the interaction with the political world as Nebuchadnezzar about his second midst of Israel. either compromising to one’s lifestyle dream that “[t]his sentence is by the or intimidating and threatening to decree of the angelic watchers and the Later, in the book of Judges, one’s faith. Christians are strongly decision is a command of the holy when the nation of Israel was without encouraged to vote during these sea- ones, in order that the living may spiritual compass and had to be gov- sons of political debate because the know that the Most High is ruler over erned by God’s appointed judges, we evangelical vote is so important to the realm of mankind, and bestows it read that Gideon clarifies correctly support those policies that promote on whom He wishes and sets over it why he will not be Israel’s leader. He morality and the sanctity of life. the lowliest of men” (17). The stan- says to those who want him to be Conservative politicians court evan- dards for such a leader reflect God’s king, “I will not rule over you, nor gelicals, knowing that the evangelical overarching plan for all men who shall my son rule over you; the Lord vote has the power to decide issues would seek His wisdom and obey His shall rule over you” (8: 22 - 23). that constituencies deem as critical. commandments. God intends that Gideon’s knowledge of God’s place in Should a believer enter into the abor- men be ruled—according to His the rule of all men is unquestioned; tion debate on a local, regional, or standards. but the rest of the book of Judges national level? Should Christians seek In Deuteronomy 17: 14 - 20 we would prove that men, without God’s to influence their elected local and understand that though the people place in the affairs of life, would resort national conservative politicians clamored for a king, God would place to doing “what was right in their own regarding the now raging debate the right person over them according eyes” (17: 6; 21:25). What followed between Darwinists and Intelligent to His sovereign authority. We read, was God’s choice of the prophet Design advocates? Perhaps believers Samuel to judge His people. are asking this question: Will it make When you enter the land which the Samuel’s story is a tragic one any difference if I jump into the fray, Lord your God gives you, and you in that, though he judged Israel with since corruption in government and live in it, and you say, “I will set a the force of God’s truth, he neglected the lack of honesty will just drown out king over me like all the nations who to discipline his own sons regarding my voice? It may be as well that we are around me,” you shall surely set their flagrant spiritual misconduct. tend to choose candidates who have a king over you whom the Lord your Joel and Abijah’s aberrant behavior, “Christian undertones” to their plat- God chooses, one from among your after being made judges over Israel by forms, suggesting that they can be a countrymen you shall set as king Samuel, perverted justice and courted voice for Christian morality. When over yourselves; you may not put a dishonest gain, thereby revealing the we elect a president such as George foreigner over yourselves who is not destitute character of the nation. The W. Bush, we are highly motivated your countryman. elders approached Samuel and because he is a professed believer. But demanded a king to rule over them, who ultimately places people in posi- Clearly, the process reflects God’s one who would be like the rest of the tions of power and authority? inviolate authority to determine the rulers of the pagan nations surround- In Daniel, chapter 2, we read that governance of the nation Israel. ing Israel. Their demands for a ruler God’s sovereign control supersedes all Further, God’s chosen ruler was to be did not invalidate God’s sovereign other powers on earth. Daniel states an example to the people: plan that man be governed; rather, the following to Nebuchadnezzar their insistence on a king showed that regarding his first dream: “Let the It [God’s law] shall be with him and they had rejected God’s provision for name of God be blessed forever and he shall read it all the days of his a ruler of His choosing. In 1 Samuel 8: ever, for wisdom and power belong to life, that he may learn to fear the 7 - 9, we read, Him. It is He who changes the times Lord his God, by carefully observing and the epochs; He removes kings and all the words of this law and these And the Lord said to Samuel, establishes kings; He gives wisdom to statutes, that his heart may not be “Listen to the voice of the people in
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Journey | A Word Along the Way
regard to all that they say to you, for judge us and go out before us and fight no authority except from God, and they have not rejected you, but they our battles’” (8: 19). God’s appoint- those which exist are established by have rejected Me from being king ment of Saul as king held all the God” (Romans 13:1). Hence, regard- over them. Like all the deeds which promise of His sovereign will: had less of whether rulers assume authority they have done since the day that I Saul obeyed God and lived according by divine right of kings, by birth, or brought them up from Egypt even to to His commandments, God would by popular election, they assume those this day-in that they have forsaken have established Saul’s dynastic line positions according to God’s wisdom Me and served other gods-so they forever (1 Samuel 13:13). But Saul’s and foreknowledge. And it is are doing to you also. Now then, arbitrary power in making sacrifices clear that people have expecta- listen to their voice; however, you himself, clearly the role of the priest- tions of their rulers. It may also shall solemnly warn them and tell hood, sealed forever his demise. be clear that we “get what we them of the procedure of the king Samuel states in 15:26, “...you have deserve” in our elected offi- who will reign over them...” rejected the word of the Lord, and the cials—if we live lives that Lord has rejected you from being king deny God’s laws and The narrative concerning Saul over Israel.” What transpires, then, is ignore His truth. Just as and his ill-governed kingship illus- the establishment of ruling monarchs the nation Israel trates the reality that those who do in the nation Israel—and the rejec- received, perhaps, what not honor God’s laws—according to tion by God of His first chosen king— they deserved in Saul His standards—reap the consequences as He prepares the way for David to (and were strongly chas- of their spiritual shortcomings. be crowned king and to establish tised by Samuel for their Samuel told the elders that a king David’s eternal throne. sin in 1 Samuel 12: 16 - would exact heavy demands on their When we look at Romans 13 in 25), so we as Americans lives: Saul would conscript men for regard to the relationship between may also have reaped his armies, take women to become believers and elected officials, it is what we have sown in servants and cooks in his palace, clear that God intends for us to sub- our elected leaders. secure farm laborers, and tax the peo- mit to those who have been placed in Because our ple heavily, among other things. positions of authority over us. His sov- democracy upholds the “Nevertheless, the people refused to ereign control over the affairs of men, principles of freedom listen to the voice of Samuel, and specifically regarding elected officials, and liberty, we sense they said, ‘No, but there shall be a has not changed at all. Paul writes, that we can put into king over us, that we also may be like “Every person is to be in subjection to positions of power all the nations, that our king may the governing authorities. For there is those who we feel best
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represent American ideals and who charge of putting Christians in office? pitifully meager. I am not broken by will best defend the Constitution. But Do we as believers hope (expect?) this, yet I am reminded that my this tends to be mythic in proportion that our president will grant us, understanding has been shallow and to the pressing needs of the moment. through whatever means, peace, pros- undeveloped of God’s sovereign will In a recent newspaper article entitled perity and protection? It is likely that in all the affairs of men. I recall when “Myth, Reality Meet in Presidency,” we all hope we can live quiet and President Ronald Reagan quoted authors Ted Anthony and Ron unhindered lives, that we want to be these verses about America and its Fournier make this comment: “If any- left untouched by the secular intrigues people: “and [when] My people who thing embodies America’s soul, it is of our country. But God has instituted are called by My name humble them- the presidency. In it, we are offered a that we be governed by those in selves and pray and seek My face and living symbol of sacrifice to greater authority and that we submit to them turn from their wicked ways, then I causes, of empathy, honesty, and willingly, having a healthy fear of will hear from heaven, will forgive moral certitude—a figure who can wrongdoing, since God will adminis- their sin and will heal their land” (2 protect, inspire and unite, who can ter justice through secular courts both Chronicles 7:14). Shall we begin to make us feel better about ourselves to believer and unbeliever alike. The pray earnestly and expectantly for our and our persistent dream of a shining gist of Paul’s exhortation in Romans leaders, Christian or otherwise, know- city on a hill. Who, we believe, can 13: 1 - 7 is that we are to afford honor ing that God hears these groans for save us.” Consider with me how this to those who govern. This, of course, mercy and justice and can indeed alter suggests such a strong parallel with becomes difficult when the character the course of human events? In the those who pressed so hard for a king of the president or any other elected presence of such world-changing in Israel’s past. official is questionable. Nevertheless, events these days, can we as believers we are told to persist in subjecting afford not to pray in this way? ¨ Hence, regardless of whether ourselves to them, for “rulers are ser- rulers assume authority by vants of God, devoting themselves to divine right of kings, by birth, this very thing [administering law and or by popular election, justice].” they assume those positions I believe that Christians have but according to God’s wisdom one goal in regard to elected officials: pray that they will govern rightly and Chris Lange and foreknowledge. Chris Lange is the Chair of the General Education justly. In my life as a believer these Department at Emmaus where he has served on the Do we expect Christian behavior last 38 years, the amount of prayer for faculty since 2000. Chris and his wife Nancy have of our leaders? Are evangelicals in those who would govern my life is four grown children and are enjoying their first grandson.
I believe that Christians have but one goal in regard to elected officials: pray that they will govern rightly and justly.
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Journey | O n t h e R o a d Journey | m a g a z i n e Emmaus On the Road
Name Location/Events City/State Dates Ken Daughters Northgate Gospel Chapel Seattle, WA Aug 17 Park Manor Bible Chapel Elgin, IL Sept 7, 14, 21, 28
Ken Fleming Labor Day Conference 100 Mile House, BC Aug 29 – Sept 1 Bayside Community Church Tampa, FL Sept 21
Dave Glock Lombard Gospel Chapel Lombard, IL Aug 3 Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, IA Aug 10, 17
Jon Glock Camp Elim Woodland Park, CO Sept 5 – 7, 26 – 28
Joel Hernandez Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, IA Sept 21, 28
John Jimo Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, IA Aug 24, 31 Northwest Bible Chapel Chicago, IL Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 Believer’s Bible Chapel Family Camp Arcadia, MO Oct 4, 5 (Dayspring Bible Camp)
David MacLeod Upper Peninsula Bible Camp Little Lake, MI Aug 9 – 16 Labor Day Conference, Soref Jewish Community Center Plantation, FL Aug 29 – Sept 1 Woodside Bible Chapel Maywood, IL Sept 7, 14, 21, 28 Camp Elim Conference Woodland Park, CO Sept 23 – 25 Arbor Oaks Bible Chapel Dubuque, IA Oct 5, 12
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Journey | O n t h e R o a d Journey | m a g a z i n e Emmaus On the Road
Name Location/Events City/State Dates
Arthur Manning Mid-South Conference Chapel Hill, TN Aug 29 – Sept 1
Ben Mathew Camp Li-Lo-Li Randolph, NY July 27 – Aug 2 West Fifth Bible Chapel Hamilton, ON Aug 3 Park Manor Bible Chapel Elgin, IL Oct 5, 12
Mark Stevenson Evangelische Theologische Faculteit Leuven, Belgium Sept 1 – 5 Kawartha Lakes Bible College Peterborough, ON Oct 6 – 10 Woodside Bible Chapel Maywood, IL Oct 12, 19, 26
Steve Witter Chambersburg Gospel Chapel Chambersburg, PA July 27 Wilmington Bible Chapel Wilmington, NC Aug 3 Park Manor Bible Chapel Elgin, IL Aug 17, 24 MidSouth Bible Conference Chapel Hill, TN Aug 29 – Sept 1 Greenwood Hills Gospel Chapel Fayetteville, PA Sept 7
Mark Woodhouse Willowbrook Bible Camp Teen Camp Des Moines, IA July 27 – Aug 2 Keystone Bible Chapel Omaha, NE Aug 3, Sept 14
If you would like more information about having faculty speak at your assembly, retreat, conference or camp please call 1-800-397-BIBLE or e-mail [email protected].
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Journey | D r . M a c L e o d A s k s MacLeodDr. Faculty member Dave MacLeod leads us in a public forum to Asks discuss issues pertinent to contemporary Christian life. Last issue he asked the following question:
What are the criteria by which an evangelical Christian chooses a candidate for president? Editor's note: There was only one response to this question, and that was from Emmaus faculty member, Mark Woodhouse.
Mark Woodhouse Responds: It is often difficult to come to a decision about which candidate best represents the will of God for our country as each of us considers the most effective use of our individual vote. We could wish that the choice would always be “cut and dried” so that the best candidate would be clearly evident. Most often, however, there are characteristics that seem to disqualify each candidate.
We can take some comfort in the knowledge that “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of waters; He turns it wherever He wishes.” (Provers 21:1) The execution of God's will is not dependent upon any particular candidate. Still, we have a stewardship responsibility when we use our vote. Perhaps some of the words of Ronald Reagan's Second Inaugural Address would help: “America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side.” Asking ourselves whether any candidate seems to be on God's side would be a good place to start our evaluation.
I think that, above all, we should heed the words of Harry S. Truman who, in 1950, said, “But all of us—at home, at war, wherever we may be—are within the reach of God's love and power. We all can pray. We all should pray. We should ask the fulfillment of God's will. We should ask for courage, wisdom, for the quietness of soul which comes alone to them who place their lives in His hands.”
Next Issue’s Question: Is the present interest in conservation of the environment and global warming something that should be a major Christian concern? Is any light shed on this by Genesis 1:26-30? What about Romans 8:19-22? Please send responses to Journey Magazine, Emmaus Bible College, 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001, or e-mail to [email protected]. Include name, city, state, and daytime phone number. Letters may be edited to yield brevity and clarity. 205799_EP:05107c-EMMA Journey Win 05 7/14/08 11:37 AM Page 48
Journey | m a g a z i n e EmmausNews from
Emmaus Students and the mountain countryside sur- Most of the students, many of who Study in Rome rounding Rome. The trip was impor- were taking the trip for college credit, tant in providing Emmaus students had just completed a Bible Geography This past May, Emmaus students trav- insights into the demands of living and course with Sanchez the week before. elled to Rome to participate in a course of serving Christ in a foreign country, They were delighted to see, in person, taught at the Instituto Biblico especially the critical needs of language what they had only seen in pictures all acquisition and cultural adaptation. semester. With respect to safety in Israel, Sanchez reports, “Tourism Emmaus Students records were set this year. People are Study in Israel coming back to Israel in droves which means they feel safe there. You have to From May 14th – May 31st, 2008 use wisdom and caution at times, there Emmaus students studied in Israel. were places we wanted to go but could Steven H. Sanchez (Bible Department) not, but overall we felt completely and Elisa Cooper (Music Department) relaxed. We praise the Lord for a suc- led a group of 14 men and women on a cessful first Emmaus Bible College trip designed to help the students learn Israel Study Tour.” If the Lord wills, the geography of the land of the Bible The Rome team with Il Duomo of Sanchez plans to return to Israel with Florence in view so that they could understand the word students again May 12-28, 2010. of God more completely. After a day in Evangelico Italiano, entitled “The London, England seeing important Foundations, History, and archaeological artifacts on display at New Faculty Contemporary Face of Roman the British Museum, and then doing Member Catholicism.” Those participating were some sightseeing around the city, the Emmaus is pleased accompanied by faculty members Chris group landed in Tel Aviv to begin a welcome Charles and Nancy Lange: Ryan Thompson, tour of the land from Dan to Beer (Chuck) Harrison as Jacob Westrum, Ben Gates, Lucas Sheba. “This was not a vacation!” says our newest faculty Eggers, Nathan Murray, Abi Garafola, member. This fall, Tina Myers, Esther Jackson, Brianna Chuck will be join- Duran, Connie DeLeon, and Emily ing us as a faculty member in our Bray. The course intended to teach the Intercultural Studies and TESOL pro- history of the Catholic Church and its grams. Chuck and his wife Cindy and traditions as they developed from the their family served the Lord as mission- 1st-century. The group also studied the aries in Indonesia for more than 17 continuing role of Israel in God’s divine years. All of his children attended plan and its place in the continuity of Emmaus as students. Chuck completed religious history. As Rome has been for his B.A. in History and Philosophy of so many centuries the center of reli- The Israel team at the Pool of Siloam in Science and Technology at the gious and secular history, our studies in Jerusalem University of Texas at Dallas and his Italian culture gave the group a broad Th.M. in Old Testament at Dallas understanding of the role of the Sanchez. “Yes, we had a wonderful Seminary. He also holds an M.A. in Catholic Church in the contemporary time, but the focus was on understand- Teaching English as a Second Language lifestyle of the Italian people. The ing geography so that the Bible would from the University of Colorado at group also traveled to Florence (see become clearer. That’s the lasting value Denver. He is a gifted teacher with sig- photo), Ostia Antica (one of the most of a trip like this. You read about Jesus nificant experience as a pioneer mis- archeologically preserved ancient port walking down the Mount of Olives and sionary engaged in church planting and cities dating back to the 1st century), up to Jerusalem, and now you have a cross-cultural ministry. We look for- and several trips to the city of Rome mental picture of where it happened.” ward to what the Lord will accomplish
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Journey | m a g a z i n e EmmausNews from
through Chuck’s ministry at Emmaus! Word” and plenary sessions were led by dren’s clubs and seeking to encourage Alex Strauch, Ken Daughters, and Jon the Irish Christians. Nearly 20,000 Classroom Remodeling Glock. In addition, 20 seminar speak- outreach oriented magazines were ers ministered to the 370 registered delivered to homes in these three cities Thanks to the generosity of a donor attendees. Recorded plenary sessions in along with 100’s of New Testaments couple, two of our classrooms (B and the form of DVD, CD, or MP3 format and countless tracts and other litera- C) are getting extreme make-overs this are available for purchase. Contact ture. Many hours of conversation with summer! When students arrive in the Jesse Lange at the college, interested people provided opportunity fall they will enjoy new ceilings, light- [email protected] or 563-588-8000, for team members to share their faith ing, windows, carpet, paint, and fur- extension 1113. and put spiritual material into people’s nishings. In addition, both classrooms hands. Dr. Van Dine conducted two will have new whiteboards and media Emmaus Bible College day long workshops on interpreting the (Sydney,Austrailia) Bible, delivered a series of messages on the Servant Songs of Isaiah at Emmaus Bible College in Sydney, Shanganagh Bible Church, and spoke Australia, (the sister school of Emmaus at various other assembly meetings. in Dubuque, Iowa) seeks to appoint a In Waterford (yes! where they Principal with responsibility to provide make the crystal) thousands of flyers strategic leadership in the achievement were distributed advertising a series of of the College's outcomes through lectures entitled Christianity on Trial. direction, coordination, and develop- These were delivered by Jim Van Dine ment of education and training services as an apologetic series covering such of the College. topics as evidence for the existence of God, the truthfulness and accuracy of For more information on this need, the Bible, the issue of truth and morali- please see our website at ty, and the person of Jesus Christ. Many www.emmaus.edu, and click on who were seeking answers to these “Ministry Opportunities” under the questions attended and we continue to News and Events column. Workers install the new ceiling in pray for the seed that was sown or Classroom C watered. Ireland is not seeing an Emmaus Students explosion of professions of faith— screens, and the technology currently Study in Ireland it is a country where the Gospel has available in all of our classrooms Four current/former students joined been buried and distorted for centuries. (DVD/VCR, computer, and LCD pro- Emmaus professor Jim Van Dine as However, the church is growing and jector) will be permanently installed. members of this year’s TnT (Teach and we counted it a privilege to be used About half of our teaching spaces have Testify) Teams short term missions proj- by God for His glory among the now been remodeled (Classrooms A, B, ect to the Republic of Ireland. Heidi Irish people. C, Science Lab, and Auditorium). We Koppen, Trish Manders, Luke Mann, look forward to working on Classrooms and Ashley Warner joined together F, M, N, K, L, and the Choir Room in with others from the U.S., Canada, and the future as the Lord provides. Ireland to assist local assemblies in spreading the Gospel. Following orien- Iron Sharpens Iron 2008 tation and training two teams of eight The Lord greatly blessed the 8th — worked with missionaries and elders in annual Iron Sharpens Iron Conference Dublin, Newcastle West, and held on the Emmaus campus over Waterford in various activities includ- Memorial Day weekend. The theme ing door-to-door witnessing, street was “Train Your Church to Know the preaching/witnessing, conducting chil- Luke and Heidi helping Colin Burnett set up a Gospel booth in Newcastle West town square. 46 Journey: Summer 2008 205799_EP:05107c-EMMA Journey Win 05 7/14/08 11:37 AM Page 50
Journey | N e w s f r o m E m m a u s EmmausNews from
Melvina “Melsie” Glock September 12, 1938 - May 18, 2008 “Keep On Keeping On”: Emmaus Remembers Melsie Glock
The Psalmist reminds us that the death of a saint is precious in the sight of God. It is with deep sorrow that we share with you that Melsie Glock is with the Lord. The Emmaus family has suffered a tremendous loss. Forty years ago, Dave was invited to serve on the faculty, and thus began a life of ministry for Dave and Melsie. No student over the past 40 years has been untouched by the ministry of the Glock’s….Dave’s teaching in the classroom, and Melsie’s hospitality in the home. What a legacy….to have spent one’s entire life serving the Lord by loving people—and serving them through the ministry of Emmaus.
The Glock’s have felt the love and prayers of the saints during Melsie’s illness and her subsequent home going. They want you to know how much they appreciate the ministry of the body of Christ during this time. How grateful we are to know that while we mourn, we do not mourn as those who have no hope. We know that Melsie is now in the presence of the Lord and we will see her again! Should you wish to remember Melsie with a memorial gift, the family has directed that gifts in her memory be sent to Emmaus. These memorial gifts will be added to the general fund, thus enabling the college to continue the ministry which was so near and dear to the heart of Melsie.
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From Notes on Virginia by Thomas Jefferson
“The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subject to the coercion of the laws. But our rulers can have no authority over such natural rights, only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God. . . It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. . . But is the spirit of the people an infallible, a permanent reliance? Is it govern- ment? Is this the kind of protection we receive in return for the rights we give up? Besides, the spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless. A single zealot may commence persecutor, and better men be his victims. It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. The shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion.”
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Emmaus Bible College 2570 Asbury Road, Dubuque, IA 52001