Christian Leaders and Badly Timed Tweets

Sometime, somewhere last week, if you were a Christian, you may have heard about Jim Wallace from the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL). And his ANZAC day tweet (http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3200102.htm). And maybe squirmed (or cheered) when you saw it.  There have been all sorts of emotional responses (and understandably so) to the rather puzzling statement, so what should Christians make of it?

Firstly we want to remember that we need to pray for our Christian Leaders. Many occasionally do silly things but we are all only human. A common fallacy that many have is Christians don’t make mistakes (because Christians aren’t allowed to sin anymore). But we do. And it is one thing to lead a group of 10 people in a Bible Study group, but to take up a position where you have to speak on behalf of thousands is a pretty tough gig. We all suffer from foot-in-mouth at one time or another (some more often than others) so divine grace and wisdom is something we should all pray for. And more so for those who take on the burden of leadership.

Secondly, we need to remember that Christian leaders do not necessarily speak on behalf of all Christians. In this case it was a personal view (the context of which Mr Wallace later explains here http://australianchristianlobby.org.au/2011/04/mr-acl-managing-director-clarifies-tweet-misrepresentation/). While many people consider themselves Christians, we need to be aware that the universal church is actually made up of quite a diverse bunch of people. And those on opposite sides of this spectrum can (and do) consider those on the different end (in moments of weakness of course) a bit loony sometimes.

Thirdly we need to remember that ANZAC day is about remembering the sacrifices made by those who went to war for the love of their country and because they thought it was the right thing to do. This is something we Christians should be familiar with. After all, Jesus died on the cross because God loved the world (John 3:16). And we need to remember that the whole world is made up of all sorts of people. Including the very sorts of people Mr Wallace tweeted about.

Justice and the Cross

This week, the Sydney Morning Herald highlighted an interesting story about insider trading and the injustice of it all (http://www.smh.com.au/business/rough-justice-when-asic-does-insider-trading-by-halves-20110417-1djpz.html). Insider trading is when someone who has access to privileged ‘insider information’ (which is not available to the general public) uses this advantage to buy (or sell) stocks or shares at a profit. This of course is unfair to everyone else who doesn’t have access to this ‘insider information’ which is why this practice is frowned upon. From the 23^rd of May, 2007 until June 2008, John Joseph Hartman sent ‘insider information’ to a childhood friend, Oliver Peter Curtis. Both made millions of dollars from this illegal communication. Interestingly, because of the complexity of the laws regarding this issue, Hartman will spend the next four years in jail while Curtis continues to enjoy the high life (he just bought a $6.6 million house).

When listening to a story like this, one naturally responds to the unfairness of it all by feeling anger at the injustice. How can this happen? Where is the justice? As creatures created in the image of God, there is probably a part of us which (like God) seeks justice in all things.

As Christians, we believe this is why Jesus had to die on the cross. The Bible teaches that all of humanity is flawed and we fail to meet God’s standards of goodness (Romans 3:23). Because we have all broken God’s laws at one time or another, we all deserve to be punished. On Good Friday, we remember that by dying on the cross, Jesus sacrificed Himself and paid the price for all of us who believe in Him. Just like the many ANZAC heroes of old, Jesus took a bullet which was meant for someone else.

The Bible describes living life according to our own rules as rebellion against God, basically an injustice against the Almighty who created us all and who we should worship and obey. By dying on the cross, Jesus corrected that injustice and all who come to God asking for forgiveness on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice can now be made right with God again.

The Rise of China’s Economy (according to Home and Away)

There is an interesting Home and Away phenomenon where the very same people who mock and despise fans of the series suddenly develop a craving to hear the latest news from Summer Bay when they start living overseas. And then they come back home and either become secret fans and/or continue the derision. Why, you may even know some of these people yourself!

It is a fact that when we are surrounded by something good, we can take it for granted. Take good old fashioned hard work for example. Most of us living here, a country with a strong Christian heritage, know (or suspect) that it is a good thing to work hard for a living. But why? Max Weber suggested in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1904) that there might be a link between faith and wealth. He wrote that the rise of capitalism in the West could possibly have been influenced by the Protestant work ethic.

This is an interesting thought which the country of China may be taking to heart. In a 2008 Wall Street Journal article, a Communist Party member and advisor to the Chinese Central Committee is reported believing that, ‘…Christianity and the ethical system based upon its teachings are the reason that Western countries dominate the global economy’ (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121815556386722667.html). This idea is also expanded on in God is Back by John Micklethwait, current editor in chief of The Economist (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/5443032/God-is-Back-by-John-Micklethwait-and-Adrian-Wooldridge-review.html).

How funny is it then that: 1. Australia’s economy is driven by China. 2. China’s economy could be actually driven (or at least strongly influenced) by Christianity. 3. Christianity is seen as been less and less relevant in Australia (which is dependent on China’s continual economic growth). What?

While many would be happy to admit that Christianity is no longer relevant in life today, we can forget that many of our values and much of our ethical content (which contribute to our standard of living and security we enjoy) is derived from the truths in the Bible. Sadly, just like Home and Away, we can take it for granted until we go overseas.

The Ethics of Hitting Back

In this multimedia age, one can find all sorts of things online. Just last week for example, a video was posted of two school kids fighting. Apparently the giver-of-punishment, Casey Heynes, was a 16 year old who finally snapped after enduring years of abuse (http://www.news.com.au/national/bully-victim-a-world-hit/story-e6frfkvr-1226024755361). He was immediately hailed as a champion of the oppressed by the masses and was soon interviewed on television. By far, the vast majority of responses to this incident were sympathetic to the newest hero on the block. After all, the bully was only receiving his just deserts right?

For the Christian, there is the dilemma. On one hand, we are encouraged to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) but on the other hand, almost every major denomination in the faith sends chaplains out to fight with the troops. This could be seen as a powerful statement of support when it comes to armed conflict. All that warfare in the Old Testament also complicates matters.

So was Casey justified in his actions? One Mudgee High teacher commented that we don’t really know all the facts, but surely there must have been some other channels of resolution. What if Casey, in his fit of rage broke his bully’s neck? Or in striking him caused irreversible brain damage? Is it ever right to push back?

In the light of the escalating armed conflict in Libya (and we are in no way here endorsing fighting in schools), it might be good for us to consider some of the principles of a “Just War” (but not all for there are too many). And here, we need to remember that even among Christians there are proponents of pacifism who would not hold to these. Firstly, use of force must always be a last resort. We only go down this road after all other channels have been exhausted. Secondly, there must be a darned good reason (i.e.  in defence of others or to avoid human rights abuses). Thirdly, the use of proportionate force must be exercised (as opposed to wanton, excessive, destruction of life and property).

In an imperfect world, we must sometimes choose the lesser of two evils.

Finishing Strong

Sir David Frost and Sir Michael Parkinson have been in the business of interviewing people for a long time. Both were in Sydney recently to interview each other and fortunately for the rest of us who weren’t able to be there, the interviews were recorded and broadcast on national television.

The interview of Parky by Frost ended with a question of who Parky thought had been his best interviews. One of them was a lady by the name of Catherine Bramwell-Booth, who at the time of the interview was 96 years old and a General with the Salvation Army. In that interview, Catherine shared that she hoped to be in the same condition as Moses when she passed away. According to Deuteronomy 34:7, Moses was 120 years old when he died and, ‘… his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. (NIV)’. Parky also shared with Frost that most of his favourite interviews had been with the elderly.

It is inevitable that all of us will grow old and pass on some day. The bible reminds us that our days are like the flowers of the field who are here one day and gone the next (Psalm 103:15-16). At the end of his life, the apostle Paul realises in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 that his time is short. He will, in all likelihood be killed soon and he reminds his young friend that he is ready to go as he has given all he could have in the service of God and even in his last days, he is filled with confidence.

Paul shows us the example of someone who is finishing strong. Many of us may know some who may have started out well but got lost along the way and never got back onto the road. The Bible reminds us of the importance of finishing well and without regret. Even though he was locked up, cold and isolated, Paul keeps his eyes on the finish line and doesn’t give up the good fight. Some of us may have started out well, but some of us may not have. In either case, we can choose how we will finish. Let us finish well, and finish strong!