Following are a dozen random and unpolished, insights I noted recently while reading a popular theologian of another Faith Family as he searched the soul of his own denomination a few years back.
1. DS Warner’s views of the of the immediacy of Christ’s return precluded any organizational need. Thus, the Church of God (Anderson) institutionalized like a preemie, a premature baby and did not develop a healthy adolescence. We had healthy growth, but our institutional forms were makeshift, uncoordinated, and less than healthy.
2. For the Church of God (Anderson) to be a “Reformation Movement” it must learn to dialogue responsibly between tradition and renewal without becoming captive to that which obliterates, obfuscates, or annihilates the tradition, or imprisons renewal in archaic forms of renewal.
3. The need of the Church of God today is to allow the institution that we created to function as we designed it. The coming generation will reevaluate et al and hopefully fine tune sit further for effectiveness.
4. Church of God splinter groups peeled off at different levels, each wanting to better institutionalize our ministry, but effectively imprisoning themselves in more archaic forms. One example is the Gospel Trumpet people who now claim to be the original Church of God institution in more literal form.
5. It is unfortunate that while many still anticipate the funeral of the established church (speaking of the larger Christian church), they have done so without serious self-awareness of their legitimate concern to displace it with a better establishment.
6. Radical individual antinomianism (anti-law) is good for producing death for people like ML King et al, but fails to recognize that we have a common social contract--a debt of humanity that we owe each other. We have come through an era, or are coming through, more concerned with civil liberties than of social justice.
7. Proliferation of independent churches and ministries suggests an anti-establishment cry for reform not unlike that of D. S. Warner. Historic Christianity can often be found wanting, but it has never been fully tried. What about the church remains lovable in spite of its uncleanness? Answer: its Christ!
8. Never has there been a time more opportune than now for person’s whose lives have been shaped and transformed.
9. We are searching for a theology of the visible church and the meaning of apostolicity amid revolutionary change (I believe the Church of God has an important mission here in its quest for holiness and unity).
10. It has been trendy to vilify the left of center, but not necessarily correct, or helpful, or constructive.
11. To be truly revolutionary would be to take Christ at face value, the reformers (including D. S. Warner) seriously, and ecumenism as demanding.
12. Jesus Christ is the one person or quality that improves God. He, and His teachings, make God understandable to humanity at large, in a way no other can claim.
From Warner’s World, pursuit of the truth will lead you to life and to God,
Wayne
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Questing For Holiness and Unity
Did you ever meet someone addicted to lugging a heavy suitcase filled with their favorite luggage? You wonder how they force their fingers to stay tightly curled around the handle of that attractive suitcase they continue to carry.
Everywhere they go, morning, noon, and night; they carry their burden. In the dining room, the bedroom, from the boardroom to the bathroom; whether on board ship or a business flight abroad--the circumstances vary but never change.Whatever you find them doing, at whatever time of day, you find them carrying their beautiful piece of luggage filled with highly treasured items.
After reading THE QUEST FOR HOLINESS AND UNITY, second edition of Dr. John W. V. Smith’s Centennial History of the Church of God by Dr. Merle Strege, I felt I had met such a person.
Dr. Strege produced a well done re-write of John W.V. Smith’s centennial history, THE QUEST FOR HOLINESS & UNITY. In addition, he reviewed the years since the 1980 Centennial, giving us what is extolled as “The Definitive History of the Church of God Movement” - 1880-2009.
I have long considered Dr. Strege a friend, as well as a fellow alumnus of WPC in Portland, OR. I value his informed views and eagerly awaited this revised 2nd edition of the man whose student I was when he first began his teaching career at Pacific Bible College (JWV Smith).
The Church of God, its faith and practice, has been my life. I was born into a Church of God Reformation Movement home. I attended Grand Junction Camp Meetings as an infant, adolescent and teen. Members of the Smith family (siblings of Dr. F. G. Smith, and others) attended the church that nurtured me.
Decades later, I am still in the Church of God as a matter of decision rather than because of my birth or education. I believe in the Church of God (Anderson), and its core values. It has been my family for many decades and it has been the life-giving faith that brought me this far.
As a young pastor in a mission church, young military parishioners (and others) almost begged me to enter the military chaplaincy. Earlier, I had turned down an opportunity to pastor a Presbyterian Church in the west, and receive a free seminary education. Later, I turned down other opportunities from other denominations--I believed in our message of a united church for a divided world. Those were costly choices that became part of a satisfying ministry.
However--especially after reading Dr. Strege’s updated history--I have to confess that I was somewhat disappointed with his “semi-historical post script.” His three indicators (3 signs of hope) I found worthy but less than informed. The book will pass as a definitive history for a seminary textbook on our history, but you may be sure young seminarians (as well as others) will ask many questions that Dr. Strege could have answered more explicitly. In doing so, he might have better served the church.
Don’t misunderstand me; I value my two editions of THE QUEST (Smith/Strege) as much as any two books I own. They inform me--well. However, they reinforce for me the question of the Old Testament prophet, “how long halt ye between two opinions?”
From the earliest days, unity has been at the core of our values. We built on a message of a united church for a divided world. Smith’s Centennial history recalled that Robert Reardon offered a positive statement about our identity issue in 1979. It stated “God is calling his church to the altar of holiness and to the task of reflecting to the world the saving and unifying fruits of divine love. In the service of this divine call, we recognize that God has chosen to use this particular movement within the Church. We are humbled by this.“
Smith added a last paragraph from Reardon: “It is our conviction that God increasingly is leading all Christians to this challenge of holiness and unity. We feel ourselves especially called to proclaim these essentials of church life, to pray for them, to work toward them, and, most of all, to model them so that the church which is seen by the world will be an effective representative of Christ. Such is the challenge and opportunity confronting the Church of God movement in its second century of ministry” (Smith/446).
Strege goes so far as to describe us as an “extended conversation,” what W.B. Gaillie called “an essentially contested concept”--about the church. Most of the “stress points” in the life of the Church of God, Anderson is this contested concept of the church.
Underlying the heresy trial of R.R. Byrum, the Open Letter controversy of 1980, and the current conversations regarding autonomy and accountability is a continuing rumble of dissatisfaction because we do not enforce the “church historic” interpretation of Daniel-Revelation.
It expressed itself in 1924 when G.P. Tasker was fired by the Missionary Board because his practice of ministry challenged the church-historic view. It was at the core of the Byrum trial. It resulted in the departure of O.F. Linn from Anderson, to WPC. It was at the core of Pastor’s Fellowship being “a more conservative group” that upholds “our standards.”
As I see it, we talk about symptoms but seldom get down to core issues. We need not--must not--compromise God’s truth, but we must better understand one another, accept differing views as possibly valid, and practice the unity God intends for all of His Church.
From Warner’s World, Wayne
Everywhere they go, morning, noon, and night; they carry their burden. In the dining room, the bedroom, from the boardroom to the bathroom; whether on board ship or a business flight abroad--the circumstances vary but never change.Whatever you find them doing, at whatever time of day, you find them carrying their beautiful piece of luggage filled with highly treasured items.
After reading THE QUEST FOR HOLINESS AND UNITY, second edition of Dr. John W. V. Smith’s Centennial History of the Church of God by Dr. Merle Strege, I felt I had met such a person.
Dr. Strege produced a well done re-write of John W.V. Smith’s centennial history, THE QUEST FOR HOLINESS & UNITY. In addition, he reviewed the years since the 1980 Centennial, giving us what is extolled as “The Definitive History of the Church of God Movement” - 1880-2009.
I have long considered Dr. Strege a friend, as well as a fellow alumnus of WPC in Portland, OR. I value his informed views and eagerly awaited this revised 2nd edition of the man whose student I was when he first began his teaching career at Pacific Bible College (JWV Smith).
The Church of God, its faith and practice, has been my life. I was born into a Church of God Reformation Movement home. I attended Grand Junction Camp Meetings as an infant, adolescent and teen. Members of the Smith family (siblings of Dr. F. G. Smith, and others) attended the church that nurtured me.
Decades later, I am still in the Church of God as a matter of decision rather than because of my birth or education. I believe in the Church of God (Anderson), and its core values. It has been my family for many decades and it has been the life-giving faith that brought me this far.
As a young pastor in a mission church, young military parishioners (and others) almost begged me to enter the military chaplaincy. Earlier, I had turned down an opportunity to pastor a Presbyterian Church in the west, and receive a free seminary education. Later, I turned down other opportunities from other denominations--I believed in our message of a united church for a divided world. Those were costly choices that became part of a satisfying ministry.
However--especially after reading Dr. Strege’s updated history--I have to confess that I was somewhat disappointed with his “semi-historical post script.” His three indicators (3 signs of hope) I found worthy but less than informed. The book will pass as a definitive history for a seminary textbook on our history, but you may be sure young seminarians (as well as others) will ask many questions that Dr. Strege could have answered more explicitly. In doing so, he might have better served the church.
Don’t misunderstand me; I value my two editions of THE QUEST (Smith/Strege) as much as any two books I own. They inform me--well. However, they reinforce for me the question of the Old Testament prophet, “how long halt ye between two opinions?”
From the earliest days, unity has been at the core of our values. We built on a message of a united church for a divided world. Smith’s Centennial history recalled that Robert Reardon offered a positive statement about our identity issue in 1979. It stated “God is calling his church to the altar of holiness and to the task of reflecting to the world the saving and unifying fruits of divine love. In the service of this divine call, we recognize that God has chosen to use this particular movement within the Church. We are humbled by this.“
Smith added a last paragraph from Reardon: “It is our conviction that God increasingly is leading all Christians to this challenge of holiness and unity. We feel ourselves especially called to proclaim these essentials of church life, to pray for them, to work toward them, and, most of all, to model them so that the church which is seen by the world will be an effective representative of Christ. Such is the challenge and opportunity confronting the Church of God movement in its second century of ministry” (Smith/446).
Strege goes so far as to describe us as an “extended conversation,” what W.B. Gaillie called “an essentially contested concept”--about the church. Most of the “stress points” in the life of the Church of God, Anderson is this contested concept of the church.
Underlying the heresy trial of R.R. Byrum, the Open Letter controversy of 1980, and the current conversations regarding autonomy and accountability is a continuing rumble of dissatisfaction because we do not enforce the “church historic” interpretation of Daniel-Revelation.
It expressed itself in 1924 when G.P. Tasker was fired by the Missionary Board because his practice of ministry challenged the church-historic view. It was at the core of the Byrum trial. It resulted in the departure of O.F. Linn from Anderson, to WPC. It was at the core of Pastor’s Fellowship being “a more conservative group” that upholds “our standards.”
As I see it, we talk about symptoms but seldom get down to core issues. We need not--must not--compromise God’s truth, but we must better understand one another, accept differing views as possibly valid, and practice the unity God intends for all of His Church.
From Warner’s World, Wayne
Friday, July 17, 2009
IN DEEP WATER
IN DEEP WATER is an historical novel by Dr. Barry Callen. Family, faith, fear and fortitude fill it with adventure, love, patriotism, and the conflicts of peace and war. I read it recently when I had a few days to sit down and spend some time reading.
This 2009 volume rumbles with violence and virtue, fear and faith. You can hardly read it without asking some serious questions and facing some challenging changes. For me, it raised questions. For example, someone asked whether a Christian could write a novel. I hardly understood the question because they do all the time [I love watching Janet Oke’s stories of love and life on Hall Mark Channel.
I saw no reason for the person to question Barry Callen writing a novel, although I wondered if he could create enough vulgarity and steamy scenes to satisfy the unsatiable appetites of current book reviewers. Could this lifelong Academician handle the writing differences required for entertaining reading.
Like other of Barry’s books, this story comes out of Barry’s real life in northeast Ohio. Growing up as the son of a WWII Merchant Marine, Barry uses the known facts to weave a story line about a WWII Submarine Commander Christopher McCord and the significant role he played in that war. Barry fills his story line with historical events from World War Two and produces a highly readable, thoroughly gripping, novel.
Although gifted with words, could Barry, the Christian scholar who carefully measures every word before putting it on paper, write with the terseness, the action, the gripping pathos, and the blood and guts that evidence the life of violence and fear? He doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
Yet, I would hardly expect Barry Callen to waste his brilliance on a merely entertaining story; would you? So, mix into this story a healthy measure of the deep and weighty issues of War and Peace and read of humanity struggling with its lowest common denominator.
Is it possible to adequately entertain the reader without wandering through the violence and vulgarity of the crude and the rude? Can you mix an entertaining story with a serious theme and hook a reader who is looking for something a mile wide and an inch deep?
I began my reading with more than a little skepticism and a few questions, even after Barry described his story line. I began with a prior appreciation of Barry’s previous writings; I had a special interest in how he would frame the issues of war and peace--a theme about which I am passionate. What I found was a story line that quickly snatched me up, carried me out into the rolling surf, and held me.
On a negative note, I found more editorial errors than I expected to find in a publisher of this stature (it is quite a miracle to produce an error free book). In a few instances I had to go back and re-read some of Barry’s sentence structures to get the flow of the sentence. It is not as easy as it sounds to transform an academic writer into a novelist that sometimes wads up all the rules of grammar and throws them at you one spitball at a time. Occasionally I found the steady cadence of the tediously detailed historian-philosopher coming through--typically Barry--(but we love you)!
What really came through was a gripping adventure, filled with images of pathos and intense emotion--a wonderful story line filled with adventure, heroism, patriotism, and faith. I could readily identify with my own WWII experiences. Barry drew me into his story, left me fully understanding throughout, but never made me wade through layers of muck and sewage to get there.
He shined his spotlight into many darkened corners and filled a wide range of nuanced niches of thought that both touched my emotion and overflowed my mind. Was I satisfied with my reading experience? You bet I was--abundantly. I was royally entertained by a host of characters with whom I easily identified.
However, just when I thought I had the story neatly packaged and ready to wrap--just when I thought I knew the full story--that’s when Barry threw me a curve ball--two surprises shaped the conclusion.
I began with personal interest in both the author and his theme. I waded through a few tedious spots, and was well rewarded with a warmly human story of this wartime family. As I finished, I carefully wiped the tears lest an observer see them running down my cheeks and glimpse my soft side.
From Warner’s World, thumbs up for IN DEEP WATER, Barry Callen’s newest book and first novel,
Wayne
This 2009 volume rumbles with violence and virtue, fear and faith. You can hardly read it without asking some serious questions and facing some challenging changes. For me, it raised questions. For example, someone asked whether a Christian could write a novel. I hardly understood the question because they do all the time [I love watching Janet Oke’s stories of love and life on Hall Mark Channel.
I saw no reason for the person to question Barry Callen writing a novel, although I wondered if he could create enough vulgarity and steamy scenes to satisfy the unsatiable appetites of current book reviewers. Could this lifelong Academician handle the writing differences required for entertaining reading.
Like other of Barry’s books, this story comes out of Barry’s real life in northeast Ohio. Growing up as the son of a WWII Merchant Marine, Barry uses the known facts to weave a story line about a WWII Submarine Commander Christopher McCord and the significant role he played in that war. Barry fills his story line with historical events from World War Two and produces a highly readable, thoroughly gripping, novel.
Although gifted with words, could Barry, the Christian scholar who carefully measures every word before putting it on paper, write with the terseness, the action, the gripping pathos, and the blood and guts that evidence the life of violence and fear? He doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
Yet, I would hardly expect Barry Callen to waste his brilliance on a merely entertaining story; would you? So, mix into this story a healthy measure of the deep and weighty issues of War and Peace and read of humanity struggling with its lowest common denominator.
Is it possible to adequately entertain the reader without wandering through the violence and vulgarity of the crude and the rude? Can you mix an entertaining story with a serious theme and hook a reader who is looking for something a mile wide and an inch deep?
I began my reading with more than a little skepticism and a few questions, even after Barry described his story line. I began with a prior appreciation of Barry’s previous writings; I had a special interest in how he would frame the issues of war and peace--a theme about which I am passionate. What I found was a story line that quickly snatched me up, carried me out into the rolling surf, and held me.
On a negative note, I found more editorial errors than I expected to find in a publisher of this stature (it is quite a miracle to produce an error free book). In a few instances I had to go back and re-read some of Barry’s sentence structures to get the flow of the sentence. It is not as easy as it sounds to transform an academic writer into a novelist that sometimes wads up all the rules of grammar and throws them at you one spitball at a time. Occasionally I found the steady cadence of the tediously detailed historian-philosopher coming through--typically Barry--(but we love you)!
What really came through was a gripping adventure, filled with images of pathos and intense emotion--a wonderful story line filled with adventure, heroism, patriotism, and faith. I could readily identify with my own WWII experiences. Barry drew me into his story, left me fully understanding throughout, but never made me wade through layers of muck and sewage to get there.
He shined his spotlight into many darkened corners and filled a wide range of nuanced niches of thought that both touched my emotion and overflowed my mind. Was I satisfied with my reading experience? You bet I was--abundantly. I was royally entertained by a host of characters with whom I easily identified.
However, just when I thought I had the story neatly packaged and ready to wrap--just when I thought I knew the full story--that’s when Barry threw me a curve ball--two surprises shaped the conclusion.
I began with personal interest in both the author and his theme. I waded through a few tedious spots, and was well rewarded with a warmly human story of this wartime family. As I finished, I carefully wiped the tears lest an observer see them running down my cheeks and glimpse my soft side.
From Warner’s World, thumbs up for IN DEEP WATER, Barry Callen’s newest book and first novel,
Wayne
Sunday, July 5, 2009
It's Time To Love Your Neighbors ... all of them
President Obama's close friends and key advisers have reportedly helped him shape the toughest line against the continued expansion of Israeli settlements since the administration of President Jimmy Carter. I applaud him!
It has resulted in a confrontation with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that surprised the Israeli government and many analysts. I missed Netanyahu’s major speech in which he was expected to respond to this new American pressure.
According to the Washington Post (Kessler and Shear, 6-13-09), Obama's aides are steeped in the complex issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in U.S. attempts to resolve it. Many of them bring long memories of difficult dealings with Netanyahu when he served as prime minister more than a decade ago.
Obama's advisers reportedly concluded that peace in the Middle East will require an end to the construction of new Israeli homes on occupied territory that Palestinians claim for a new state. Obama, in his Cairo speech earlier, made it clear he had reached the same conclusion. Forcing Netanyahu to relent on settlements would offer the U.S. administration leverage in persuading Arab states to engage in peace talks.
Supposedly, "There is a strong consensus in the White House that the status quo is not going to produce progress and that the moment could slip away here for a real, just, lasting peace that would bring Israel the security it needs," said David Axelrod, one of Obama's top advisers.
On the other hand, several senior White House officials described the president's views on Israeli settlements as years old and not the product of recent events or discussions. "It would be a mistake to suggest that anyone led him to this position," a senior adviser said. "It's one that he generated himself."
In Chicago, long before becoming president, Obama's closest confidants included staunch supporters of Israel whose tough views on the need to stop settlements mirror his current public position. Abner Mikva, an Obama mentor and former law professor, was one of them.
"There has to be realistic talks about how the two states will get along together," Mikva said, describing Obama's thinking on the subject of Middle East peace before being elected to the U.S. Senate. "You can't do that if one state, as you're talking, is picking up more land."
White House aides say the president has been careful to insist that Palestinians must also act to fulfill their responsibilities, such as bolstering security and ending anti-Israeli incitement. “It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered," Obama told his Cairo audience.
Obama's recent language about settlements is called the starkest of any U.S. president in three decades, and tougher than most of his public rhetoric since emerging on the national scene.
I cannot show the AP photo of Palestinian workers at the construction site of a housing project in the Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumin, in the West Bank near Jerusalem, altho it was part of the original story.
I can, however, continue to wonder how so many American Christians can support the premillennial theology that gives Israeli's the right to so totally deny the civil rights of Palestinians. Israel obviously misunderstood God’s concern for all people when World War One powers provided for the re-establishment of the Israeli nation in 1948. Moreover, they quickly forgot the lessons to be learned from their own misfortunes under the Nazi holocaust.
At Warner’s World, I wonder, will anyone ever take seriously the words of Jesus about loving one’s neighbor?
Wayne
It has resulted in a confrontation with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that surprised the Israeli government and many analysts. I missed Netanyahu’s major speech in which he was expected to respond to this new American pressure.
According to the Washington Post (Kessler and Shear, 6-13-09), Obama's aides are steeped in the complex issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and in U.S. attempts to resolve it. Many of them bring long memories of difficult dealings with Netanyahu when he served as prime minister more than a decade ago.
Obama's advisers reportedly concluded that peace in the Middle East will require an end to the construction of new Israeli homes on occupied territory that Palestinians claim for a new state. Obama, in his Cairo speech earlier, made it clear he had reached the same conclusion. Forcing Netanyahu to relent on settlements would offer the U.S. administration leverage in persuading Arab states to engage in peace talks.
Supposedly, "There is a strong consensus in the White House that the status quo is not going to produce progress and that the moment could slip away here for a real, just, lasting peace that would bring Israel the security it needs," said David Axelrod, one of Obama's top advisers.
On the other hand, several senior White House officials described the president's views on Israeli settlements as years old and not the product of recent events or discussions. "It would be a mistake to suggest that anyone led him to this position," a senior adviser said. "It's one that he generated himself."
In Chicago, long before becoming president, Obama's closest confidants included staunch supporters of Israel whose tough views on the need to stop settlements mirror his current public position. Abner Mikva, an Obama mentor and former law professor, was one of them.
"There has to be realistic talks about how the two states will get along together," Mikva said, describing Obama's thinking on the subject of Middle East peace before being elected to the U.S. Senate. "You can't do that if one state, as you're talking, is picking up more land."
White House aides say the president has been careful to insist that Palestinians must also act to fulfill their responsibilities, such as bolstering security and ending anti-Israeli incitement. “It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered," Obama told his Cairo audience.
Obama's recent language about settlements is called the starkest of any U.S. president in three decades, and tougher than most of his public rhetoric since emerging on the national scene.
I cannot show the AP photo of Palestinian workers at the construction site of a housing project in the Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumin, in the West Bank near Jerusalem, altho it was part of the original story.
I can, however, continue to wonder how so many American Christians can support the premillennial theology that gives Israeli's the right to so totally deny the civil rights of Palestinians. Israel obviously misunderstood God’s concern for all people when World War One powers provided for the re-establishment of the Israeli nation in 1948. Moreover, they quickly forgot the lessons to be learned from their own misfortunes under the Nazi holocaust.
At Warner’s World, I wonder, will anyone ever take seriously the words of Jesus about loving one’s neighbor?
Wayne
Saturday, July 4, 2009
World Religions
Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries reports violence against Egyptian Christian Copts erupting again on Friday, July 3, 2009, in the village of Guirgis Bey, Akfahssi, El-Fashn. Coptic priests accused the Egyptian State Security apparatus of "masterminding" the incident.
Wooding based his report on a story by Mary Abdelmassih, posted on the website of the Assyrian International News Agency (www.aina.org). She reveals how the violence began.
"The village Muslims circulated a 'rumour' that the Copts will convert the social services building belonging to the Coptic Diocese of Beba and El-Fashn into a church, resulting in Muslims completely burning down two houses belonging to Christians and attempting to burn down two cars belonging to the church and the priest by pouring kerosene over them," said Diocese spokesman, Reverend Abdul Quddus Hanna to Copts United.
"The fire brigade arrived 90 minutes later. The State Security then incited the Muslim villagers against the Copts, leading to clashes between them. Twelve Copts and five Muslims have been arrested and charged with assault."
Her story continued by saying that the village of Guirgis Bey which is inhabited by nearly 500 Muslims and 2000 Copts has been placed under curfew. The Egyptian Union Human Rights Organization (EUHRO) sent an urgent plea to President Mubarak to protect the Coptic inhabitants, in view of the incompetence of the Ministry of Interior.
"Who allowed those hooligans to carry out these attacks? The State security failed and was only successful in arresting eleven Christian young men," said Dr. Naguib Gabraeel, President of EUHRO.
A Coptic priest, Reverend Hanna, commented that the "complicity" of the State Security in this incident is obvious as the social services building was built some time ago, and the village priest Reverend Samaan Shehata Rizkallah has been residing there.
In an interview with Coptic News Bulletin today, Reverend Samaan said that the nearly 2000 Coptic inhabitants living in the village have been praying in one single room. "The majority of the congregation have been praying in the street, with cattle passing in their midst."
Reverend Samaan also implicated the State Security. "The villagers are usually peaceful, but the State Security incited them to violence as the social services building is adjacent to a mosque."
The Egyptian Union Human Rights Organization EUHRO sent a plea to President Mubarak to protect the Coptic inhabitants, in view of the ineffectiveness of the Ministry of Interior. "The series of attacks on the Copts is continuous as long as the Government is deliberately not passing the bill on the "unified law for building places of worship," said Dr. Naguib Gabraeel, President of EUHRO.
In his plea Dr. Gabraeel, asks: "Should the Copts resort to the United Nations, and would they then be blamed?" Mary Abdelmassih stated, "This sectarian violence comes after a similar incident took place also in El-Fashn, Beni Suef, on June 21, 2009 in Ezbet Boushra-East where a Muslim mob and the State Security destroyed the homes and crops of the Coptic inhabitants."
I find Wooding’s report interesting from two perspectives:
1) It is obvious that followers of Jesus (Christians) are under attack by several of the world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, et al;
2) It seems apparent to me that Christianity is the only World Religion that allows a private citizen to be of a different faith, or of no faith. Christianity is the only world religion that does not have to resort to forced conversion.
From Warner’s World, that is what I see on the world scene this 4th of July, 2009,
Wayne
Wooding based his report on a story by Mary Abdelmassih, posted on the website of the Assyrian International News Agency (www.aina.org). She reveals how the violence began.
"The village Muslims circulated a 'rumour' that the Copts will convert the social services building belonging to the Coptic Diocese of Beba and El-Fashn into a church, resulting in Muslims completely burning down two houses belonging to Christians and attempting to burn down two cars belonging to the church and the priest by pouring kerosene over them," said Diocese spokesman, Reverend Abdul Quddus Hanna to Copts United.
"The fire brigade arrived 90 minutes later. The State Security then incited the Muslim villagers against the Copts, leading to clashes between them. Twelve Copts and five Muslims have been arrested and charged with assault."
Her story continued by saying that the village of Guirgis Bey which is inhabited by nearly 500 Muslims and 2000 Copts has been placed under curfew. The Egyptian Union Human Rights Organization (EUHRO) sent an urgent plea to President Mubarak to protect the Coptic inhabitants, in view of the incompetence of the Ministry of Interior.
"Who allowed those hooligans to carry out these attacks? The State security failed and was only successful in arresting eleven Christian young men," said Dr. Naguib Gabraeel, President of EUHRO.
A Coptic priest, Reverend Hanna, commented that the "complicity" of the State Security in this incident is obvious as the social services building was built some time ago, and the village priest Reverend Samaan Shehata Rizkallah has been residing there.
In an interview with Coptic News Bulletin today, Reverend Samaan said that the nearly 2000 Coptic inhabitants living in the village have been praying in one single room. "The majority of the congregation have been praying in the street, with cattle passing in their midst."
Reverend Samaan also implicated the State Security. "The villagers are usually peaceful, but the State Security incited them to violence as the social services building is adjacent to a mosque."
The Egyptian Union Human Rights Organization EUHRO sent a plea to President Mubarak to protect the Coptic inhabitants, in view of the ineffectiveness of the Ministry of Interior. "The series of attacks on the Copts is continuous as long as the Government is deliberately not passing the bill on the "unified law for building places of worship," said Dr. Naguib Gabraeel, President of EUHRO.
In his plea Dr. Gabraeel, asks: "Should the Copts resort to the United Nations, and would they then be blamed?" Mary Abdelmassih stated, "This sectarian violence comes after a similar incident took place also in El-Fashn, Beni Suef, on June 21, 2009 in Ezbet Boushra-East where a Muslim mob and the State Security destroyed the homes and crops of the Coptic inhabitants."
I find Wooding’s report interesting from two perspectives:
1) It is obvious that followers of Jesus (Christians) are under attack by several of the world religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, et al;
2) It seems apparent to me that Christianity is the only World Religion that allows a private citizen to be of a different faith, or of no faith. Christianity is the only world religion that does not have to resort to forced conversion.
From Warner’s World, that is what I see on the world scene this 4th of July, 2009,
Wayne
Friday, July 3, 2009
NAC Roundup 09
As I write, I’m listening to the USAF Thunderbirds exhibiting their skills in the skies above Kellogg Airport on Battle Creek’s Westside. My wife frequently served these young men during our working years in bi-vocational ministry. Fine young men! Highly skilled! Deeply motivated! As I listen now, I can only imagine the terror of trying to escape the wrath of our aircraft in countries where we have military personnel (one of the team just flew directly overhead). War is a totally no-win situation for everyone.
I remember the year we watched the XB70 experimental bomber fly into Fort Worth from southern California. It overshot FtW. Turning around took it to Shreveport, LA and back. We used to watch the air shows with great fascination; today I cringe in horror at man’s inhumanities to other men.
We have now completed NAC 09, the 123rd, they say. The first such event actually took place two miles north of Bangor, MI in 1883, small by comparison, but a beginning. My father’s mentor, Sebastian Michels, furnished the kitchen and provisions, aided by volunteers.
We--wife and I--did what we went to Anderson to do: manage the book tent for Reformation Publishers (I’ll be there in a few days). That allowed Dr. Williams to do what he and Martha needed to do. It provided us wonderful times of fellowship, as well as enjoy the hospitality of Dale and Cheryl Stultz at Timber Rick.
We took care of necessary balloting before going--absentee--knowing we would miss GA. I am deeply dissatisfied with the inequality of our non-representative GA governing body. I strongly support our congregational polity. I fail to understand the one-way communication between Anderson and “the field.” There are deep flaws to discuss and correct. Meantime, I am a team player who deeply believes in Paul‘s biblical body language (the politics may be something else).
Reports seemingly indicate service attendance up. I was not too keen about being “overflow” and attending a movie--I am not a movie fan! That did not prove as painful as I feared.
I deeply appreciate Yerden, Nicholson, et al for the Heritage Sing. Having met Eddie Cumberbatch in Michigan a year or two ago, he made this event the highlight of the year for us. I am learning to enjoy portions of the 7-11 music, and even finding some worthwhile words in the contemporary worship style--WHEN I CAN HEAR THE WORDS. I continue to be “appalled” at the insistence of the sound experts and their lack of ability (or unwillingness) to stem the abusive assault on people’s eardrums and nervous systems.
One “Anderson Institution,” who shall remain anonymous, was overheard to say to another, “Your ears can only stand about so much!” This gentle, soft-spoken leader would not be caught dead being critical of the establishment. It amused me, and reassured me I was not so far off base as I sometimes fear being, knowing I tend to be outspoken.
We enjoyed parts of Friday evening’s hosting by AU, but the sound was at times so unbearable that we refrained from most of the evening services. It left me feeling exhausted and irritable. It took my unwell wife until Wednesday before she recovered from the "bouncing-eyeball effect" of the assault on the senses.
I commend the Program Committee for some excellent programming under some discouraging circumstances. It all went reasonably well, and while there are issues I want to discuss further, I want to give the general program a thumbs up for the opportunity for “spiritual growth, fellowship, and renewal” (p1, Roundup).
The theme of living out our faith was most appropro. It was fitting that we celebrate the global Communion, so ably led by friend Bob Moss. Dr. Milton Grannum, a product of our cooperative Global Missions effort, has served long enough to more than prove the worth of our cooperative efforts together--global missions being just one such effort (some of us remember the 6‘ 7“ missionary that helped launch Milton Grannum.
Dr. Grannum’s testimonial sermon and “thank you” thrilled many and underscored our need for more accountability to each other. That brings me to our practice of biblical unity--a core value among us. We have some difficulty expressing our unity together, fearing to become accountable (to each other and to “Anderson”) in our congregational polity and our unhealthy individualism.
We are becoming better at expressing our unity (with equality) with nationals like Grannum, Cumberbatch, and others. I found it most interesting to talk with Mrs. Kroger (spelling unsure). A Dane, she married a German, and together they lead the Church of God in Germany. From outside of our own fellowship, we had Dr. Milfred Minitrea as a guest leader and speaker. He and I talked a year or two back about being fellow alum of SWBTS (a So. Baptist institution), which brings me to say this regarding our practice of unity.
Because of some of our early teachings, we find it so easy to preach Christian Unity and so difficult to practice. We are still finding our way extending equality to the Church of God outside of the United States; we do not forget we control many purse strings. Thus, we tend to want things our way. We fail dreadfully when it comes to practicing unity with “Babylon” (the denominational world) and people who do are either liberal or do not understand “the church.”
I still believe in reformation principles, as well as the Believer’s Church--and holiness, et al. BUT, we can improve our praxis (practice) by coming to a better understanding of how to practice D.S. Warner’s message of “come-outism”. John Winebrenner found himself an outcast because he cooperated with Methodists in revivals. Likewise, G.P. Tasker found himself fired by the Church of God Missionary Board in 1924 because he was preaching and teaching outside the pale of Church of God, Anderson influence.
From Warner's World, I suggest it is time for us to grow up, mature, and actually “live out the love of Christ,” both inside and outside of Christendom!
Wayne
I remember the year we watched the XB70 experimental bomber fly into Fort Worth from southern California. It overshot FtW. Turning around took it to Shreveport, LA and back. We used to watch the air shows with great fascination; today I cringe in horror at man’s inhumanities to other men.
We have now completed NAC 09, the 123rd, they say. The first such event actually took place two miles north of Bangor, MI in 1883, small by comparison, but a beginning. My father’s mentor, Sebastian Michels, furnished the kitchen and provisions, aided by volunteers.
We--wife and I--did what we went to Anderson to do: manage the book tent for Reformation Publishers (I’ll be there in a few days). That allowed Dr. Williams to do what he and Martha needed to do. It provided us wonderful times of fellowship, as well as enjoy the hospitality of Dale and Cheryl Stultz at Timber Rick.
We took care of necessary balloting before going--absentee--knowing we would miss GA. I am deeply dissatisfied with the inequality of our non-representative GA governing body. I strongly support our congregational polity. I fail to understand the one-way communication between Anderson and “the field.” There are deep flaws to discuss and correct. Meantime, I am a team player who deeply believes in Paul‘s biblical body language (the politics may be something else).
Reports seemingly indicate service attendance up. I was not too keen about being “overflow” and attending a movie--I am not a movie fan! That did not prove as painful as I feared.
I deeply appreciate Yerden, Nicholson, et al for the Heritage Sing. Having met Eddie Cumberbatch in Michigan a year or two ago, he made this event the highlight of the year for us. I am learning to enjoy portions of the 7-11 music, and even finding some worthwhile words in the contemporary worship style--WHEN I CAN HEAR THE WORDS. I continue to be “appalled” at the insistence of the sound experts and their lack of ability (or unwillingness) to stem the abusive assault on people’s eardrums and nervous systems.
One “Anderson Institution,” who shall remain anonymous, was overheard to say to another, “Your ears can only stand about so much!” This gentle, soft-spoken leader would not be caught dead being critical of the establishment. It amused me, and reassured me I was not so far off base as I sometimes fear being, knowing I tend to be outspoken.
We enjoyed parts of Friday evening’s hosting by AU, but the sound was at times so unbearable that we refrained from most of the evening services. It left me feeling exhausted and irritable. It took my unwell wife until Wednesday before she recovered from the "bouncing-eyeball effect" of the assault on the senses.
I commend the Program Committee for some excellent programming under some discouraging circumstances. It all went reasonably well, and while there are issues I want to discuss further, I want to give the general program a thumbs up for the opportunity for “spiritual growth, fellowship, and renewal” (p1, Roundup).
The theme of living out our faith was most appropro. It was fitting that we celebrate the global Communion, so ably led by friend Bob Moss. Dr. Milton Grannum, a product of our cooperative Global Missions effort, has served long enough to more than prove the worth of our cooperative efforts together--global missions being just one such effort (some of us remember the 6‘ 7“ missionary that helped launch Milton Grannum.
Dr. Grannum’s testimonial sermon and “thank you” thrilled many and underscored our need for more accountability to each other. That brings me to our practice of biblical unity--a core value among us. We have some difficulty expressing our unity together, fearing to become accountable (to each other and to “Anderson”) in our congregational polity and our unhealthy individualism.
We are becoming better at expressing our unity (with equality) with nationals like Grannum, Cumberbatch, and others. I found it most interesting to talk with Mrs. Kroger (spelling unsure). A Dane, she married a German, and together they lead the Church of God in Germany. From outside of our own fellowship, we had Dr. Milfred Minitrea as a guest leader and speaker. He and I talked a year or two back about being fellow alum of SWBTS (a So. Baptist institution), which brings me to say this regarding our practice of unity.
Because of some of our early teachings, we find it so easy to preach Christian Unity and so difficult to practice. We are still finding our way extending equality to the Church of God outside of the United States; we do not forget we control many purse strings. Thus, we tend to want things our way. We fail dreadfully when it comes to practicing unity with “Babylon” (the denominational world) and people who do are either liberal or do not understand “the church.”
I still believe in reformation principles, as well as the Believer’s Church--and holiness, et al. BUT, we can improve our praxis (practice) by coming to a better understanding of how to practice D.S. Warner’s message of “come-outism”. John Winebrenner found himself an outcast because he cooperated with Methodists in revivals. Likewise, G.P. Tasker found himself fired by the Church of God Missionary Board in 1924 because he was preaching and teaching outside the pale of Church of God, Anderson influence.
From Warner's World, I suggest it is time for us to grow up, mature, and actually “live out the love of Christ,” both inside and outside of Christendom!
Wayne
Thursday, July 2, 2009
NAC 2009 _ A Church in Transition
It has been a long drive from that 1940's wartime camp meeting national youth convention combination--1943 or 1944)to NAC 2009. On that first trip to Anderson, I went as a teen to hear E. Stanley Jones. I became a pastor in 1951 and we began attending General Assembly and Camp Meeting the following year.
In those first years, we drove 1500 miles to enjoy the Anderson fellowship. I took in many learning experiences, and represented my congregation at GA. We have not missed more than 2-3 since. We did not always have money and means to go. Our mission churches could not always send us. Looking back, however,I can say forthrightly "God always provided!" Our provisions sometimes fell far below what we enjoy today, but God never failed us.
If this year was up 18%, as reports indicate, I am pleased. Perhaps attendance has bottomed and will now increase again. I hope so, although I doubt it ever reaches its former glory years of 30-40,000 conventioners.
Knowing we are in transition, I urge us to fulfill the biblical admonition to love one another as God has loved us. Let us be as grace-filled with one another as God has been with us, and continues to be. We have now been gathering in Anderson, IN for 100 years. We became a common cause before Anderson, IN became a boom town before we began meeting there, and God will still funnel his grace through us and bring peace to a troubled world.
Today's world is a Jericho Road, filled with broken and distressed people. There are plenty of religious people of all shades and stripes, but Good Samaritans are in short supply. God waits to funnel his grace, mercy, love, and peace into the "uttermost parts" whenever and wherever he can find "good Samaritans" (cf Luke 10:25-37).
We need to dialogue some serious issues in the church, but while we're doing that we need to take seriously what Jesus told the Legal Expert, "Then go and do what he did" (Luke 10:37 NCV).The message and mission is no longer that of D. S. Warner; it must become our mission and message, as we follow the Lord Jesus.
I have no desire to return to earlier days of Grand Junction, Moundsville, or Anderson, but I do yearn for us to pursue God's mission as passionately and powerfully as did those who brought the message of Holiness, Unity, et al to us. If God was not getting anything done except what happens via the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, he would be fighting a losing battle. The point being, we need to reconcile our human frailties, faults, and failures, and get on with God's mission in the world.
Read Dr. Duncan's "White Paper." Let us dare to become accountable to each other. Let us dare to reach out to all who are involved in the work of the Kingdom of God. There is but ONE CHURCH and we are here to work together, to compliment all who call on the name of Jesus, and put aside all competition. By no means is all kingdom ministry being done in the Church of God, Anderson.
We have convened another year. I have ambivalent thoughts and feelings about many issues, some of which I will share. However, of this one thing I am sure, we have a job to do. That job is bigger than those of us who find Jerusalem, or Mecca, in Anderson, IN.
From Warner's World,
Wayne
In those first years, we drove 1500 miles to enjoy the Anderson fellowship. I took in many learning experiences, and represented my congregation at GA. We have not missed more than 2-3 since. We did not always have money and means to go. Our mission churches could not always send us. Looking back, however,I can say forthrightly "God always provided!" Our provisions sometimes fell far below what we enjoy today, but God never failed us.
If this year was up 18%, as reports indicate, I am pleased. Perhaps attendance has bottomed and will now increase again. I hope so, although I doubt it ever reaches its former glory years of 30-40,000 conventioners.
Knowing we are in transition, I urge us to fulfill the biblical admonition to love one another as God has loved us. Let us be as grace-filled with one another as God has been with us, and continues to be. We have now been gathering in Anderson, IN for 100 years. We became a common cause before Anderson, IN became a boom town before we began meeting there, and God will still funnel his grace through us and bring peace to a troubled world.
Today's world is a Jericho Road, filled with broken and distressed people. There are plenty of religious people of all shades and stripes, but Good Samaritans are in short supply. God waits to funnel his grace, mercy, love, and peace into the "uttermost parts" whenever and wherever he can find "good Samaritans" (cf Luke 10:25-37).
We need to dialogue some serious issues in the church, but while we're doing that we need to take seriously what Jesus told the Legal Expert, "Then go and do what he did" (Luke 10:37 NCV).The message and mission is no longer that of D. S. Warner; it must become our mission and message, as we follow the Lord Jesus.
I have no desire to return to earlier days of Grand Junction, Moundsville, or Anderson, but I do yearn for us to pursue God's mission as passionately and powerfully as did those who brought the message of Holiness, Unity, et al to us. If God was not getting anything done except what happens via the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, he would be fighting a losing battle. The point being, we need to reconcile our human frailties, faults, and failures, and get on with God's mission in the world.
Read Dr. Duncan's "White Paper." Let us dare to become accountable to each other. Let us dare to reach out to all who are involved in the work of the Kingdom of God. There is but ONE CHURCH and we are here to work together, to compliment all who call on the name of Jesus, and put aside all competition. By no means is all kingdom ministry being done in the Church of God, Anderson.
We have convened another year. I have ambivalent thoughts and feelings about many issues, some of which I will share. However, of this one thing I am sure, we have a job to do. That job is bigger than those of us who find Jerusalem, or Mecca, in Anderson, IN.
From Warner's World,
Wayne
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