Christian Spirituality has been dominated by western
culture throughout history. When I think about the non-western world
as it relates to Christian spirituality throughout the last century,
I see a purity of passion and purpose. The New Testament is filled
with people who were under persecution and were making a passion
filled plea for the cause of Jesus. The goal was not to replace
Judaism, but to preach it fulfilled through the life, death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus. Modern third-world countries are living
that same plea in the cultures of poverty and oppression today.
I
appreciate how Holt agrees with William Dyrness and states, “His
point is that Christians in the West can no longer afford to leave
out of consideration the contributions and challenges of Christians
from these continents. That is, these Christians have both gifts to
offer from their own cultural backgrounds and hard questions to ask
of the affluent Christians of the West.”
The Christians of the world who have not been considered the most
affluent of the world are growing exponentially in their discipleship
and spirituality. It would stand to reason that the unique
expressions of faith they bring to the Kingdom will have a great
influence over the years to come.
Last
week the Catholic Church installed a new Pope to lead their church.
He is the first Pope from any of the Americas. He is also a Latin
American from South America. It is the region of the world that is
experiencing tremendous Kingdom growth and potential. Pope Frances'
leadership is one of humble beginnings with a “common man”
approach to relationships. He will highly affect both the Catholic
and Protestant Churches in the years to come. There will be new
cultural influences in worship, in leadership, in communication, and
in style. The movement of influence the world world is gaining from
these third-world believers instills a renewed passion and drive for
the cause of Jesus.
Dom
Helder states, “When I give bread to the poor, they call me a
saint; but when I ask why people are poor, they call me a
communist.”
His statement is still ringing true throughout the world today. It
amazes me how we try to fight for justice as if it is the cure, but
we are not allowed to discuss the cause for the injustice. An example
close to my heart is the cause for the value of life and for the
inclusion of people with special needs. The republican party is the
political party that supports the pro-life movement. The life inside
a woman's womb should have just as much right to life and liberty as
anyone has. The democratic party is the political party to advocate
for special needs rights and for the support programs for individuals
who need the helps. The problem is neither political party sees the
need to join these efforts together.
The unborn has a right to be born and it also has the
right to live. Barriers are created from greed. The questions comes
in asking from where the supports for the child are to be paid for
and who is the responsible party for the unwanted child. As a
Christian, my heart is in the justice of the life and liberty of that
life to live to the fullest potential. Yet, in our political system,
the cause of both parties has a fallacy in not joining the goals
together.
As
parent of children with special needs as well as a parent who has
adopted three boys who could have been aborted, my heart knows that
government is not the answer. Jesus and the church are the answer.
The kingdom of God is a place for the hurting to be healed, the lost
to be saved and the saved to grow close to God in faith. It is within
this environment where injustices such as the one I mentioned above
will find answers. The amazing work of God is that these answers are
emerging from the one-third of the world that has been considered the
least of the church throughout the ages.
It
is through the discernment of the Holy Spirit where believers of all
nationalities, race, and gender will see an increase in the purpose
of spreading the good news of God. I believe this is why the
“pentecostal” movement is so prominent in these non-western
countries. Holt states, “The Pentecostal version of Christian
spirituality does not depend on learning or wealth; rather, it is
simple and experiential.” These non-western countries are not as educated, not as
industrialized, or not as technologically advanced. Thus, there is a
dependency on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction.
As we look
back throughout the history of Christian Spirituality, we see this
dependence on the Holy Spirit which brings great revivals and change
to the Kingdom of God. The call is for all believers to trust in God
and to put our faith in him.
Kazon
Kitamori of Japan states, “We become united with the pain of God
through our pain, and we are united with God through the joined
pains.” The church of the west has become dependent on itself and its
knowledge while losing it's awe and wonder in the mystical power of
God. God is not impressed with our production for a cause. He is
impressed with our faith and dependence on him through the
progression of hope that is found as injustice is found to be
resolved in the name of Jesus.
Seeking to bring peace, grace, and truth to the world around me...you know I love ya, Don
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