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Christianity Today, August, 2008 |

FOOLISH THINGS

Ancient Parable, Urgent Time

We face a challenge of both global and spiritual proportions.

Stan Guthrie | posted 8/19/2008 09:51AM

Cyclone Nargis swept through Burma's low-lying Irrawaddy Delta on May 2. The 2004 Asian tsunami had stripped the terrain of much of its protective vegetation. Initial reports indicated that tens of thousands ...

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michael klein

Posted: August 27, 2008 12:58 PM


does anyone out there know of any online courses i studied philosophy and psyschology know its time to study the most important person in the world I want to help youths to get out of gangs and dope with I got know cash cause of head injury cause of my lifestyle anyways lead me to a good course

Eddie Francisco

Posted: August 20, 2008 1:40 PM


Yes, we need to spread the Gospel in Myanmar and yes, there are other issues. But Guthrie makes a good point. If I understand him correctly, we have done well to respond to the crises in Myanmar and China, but meanwhile we sit idly by while the food crisis brews. We support policies that encourage using food to make ethanol while millions face starvation. God will judge such policies.

Thomas

Posted: August 20, 2008 8:54 AM

I question why the solution to these things always comes back to dollar value. I never tried, but I don't think that dollar bills have much nutritional value. What needs to be done for this crisis is to grow more food, and to do it with respect for the rules that God set down in the Pentateuch. Instead of pulling out the card to make a donation, how about getting a bunch of like-minded Christians together to go to an area of the world near a needy area that has fertile land and grow some food? Suggestions: Zambia, Tanzania, anywhere in South America, maybe even unused areas of the United States as not-for-profit farms. This will take a little seed money for transportation and equipment initially, but the value will be multiplied an unknown amount. This might seem unrealistic, but many hands can make light work.

Jonathan

Posted: August 20, 2008 8:51 AM

Key to Christ's comments is the humility that we simply do what we can. The idea that somehow mankind can solve these international problems without God is preposterous and arrogant in the extreme. The UN and many international organizations throw out the truth that God controls the weather and can make the desert bloom. He still responds to repentant hearts. However, it is still incumbent on each of us to do what we can. We will each be judged individually for our generosity with the poor; let us simply refuse to think we can "solve" the world food crisis without God. God forgive us and show mercy on us. Nevertheless, God will still judge idolatry, greed and immorality. Repentance is still the kindness and most loving thing we can encourage. While we encourage repentance, we must all continue to be generous personally.

JohnH

Posted: August 20, 2008 5:22 AM

Re price of food. Please have a good look a the effect of the USA & EU farm subsidies on world food prices. They have driven them down. This has prevented farmers in the unprotected parts of the world from making a good living. So less investment in farming, roads and education. Not good. Consider the biofuel industry, how much is this just hidden subsidies for 1st world farmers for local political gains. Adjusting for inflation, the price of wheat to day is still lower than when my grandfather nearly went broke in the 1930's. Cheap imported food deprives local farmers of development $’s.

A.Yeshuratnam

Posted: August 20, 2008 3:44 AM

It is not the question of feeding or helping the people of Myanmar. The military junta in Myanmar is persecuting Christians, and many Christians have to flee from their homes to seek refuge in jungles. So the question is how to propagate the Gospel and how to redeem the people from the clutches of the military regime. The Son of Man will reward such people who suffer to spread the Gospel when He comes in glory. A.Yeshuratnam Trivandrum Kerala State India.

A Hermit

Posted: August 19, 2008 6:42 PM

While a very good meditation, this article leaves out the fact that many pro-life, 'family values' politicians push policies that directly worsten the situations listed above. Globalization, 'free trade' policies pushed by these politicians mean that money goes to those countries without laws to protect worker safety, wages, and the environment, as well as authoritarian, brutal regimes. This means the disappearing of our industrial base and middle class jobs to these poor countries. These policies, along with our massive military expenditures, are destroying our economy. That, in turn means the destruction of families, many of whom can no longer afford to have one parent at home and who face constant stress about how to make ends meet.

Geoff

Posted: August 19, 2008 6:28 PM

Interesting article! I think the point is effectively made, regardless of whether it's a parable or not... and, I wouldn't say I feel guilty, but rather convicted about my own self-centered ability to ignore the suffering of people right in front of me, let alone those who are thousands of miles away. May God push all of us who claim to be followers of Christ out of our comfort zones, so that we are more aware of the needs of people all around us, and respond to them with love and mercy. Philip, I'm confused by your comment... you seem to be inferring that those who aren't Jesus' "brothers and sisters" (i.e. those who don't do the will of the Father) don't need to be helped? Is that really what you think? And how do you define "doing the will of the Father" in that case? I think in your attempt to keep Scripture "in context" you've created more problems than you've solved. I don't think Jesus wants us to limit our service of others only to those who are our fellow Christians.

Isaiah Tor

Posted: August 19, 2008 5:28 PM

The sentiment in this article echoes the deeply felt compassion and hurt for the sufferings of the Myanmeese people, even though the verses quoted relate more to the inauguration of the coming age when the Lord Jesus returns in His preeminent Kingly glory. Yet perhaps to echo myself what the Bible says about these sentiments, we understand that according to the revelation of the word, that whatever happens, however things happen beyond our confined, even warped apprehension of things and events, God in Christ through the Spirit is on the throne of His utter glory and sovereignty. Human actions and responsibility may be at best flawed or at worst malicious, yet we believe that caprice nor foolishness is not exercised by the all-wise God in His government of the entire universe. The more we realize this, the more we will not attempt with our unsteady human seek to remedy problems directly but rather under the headship of Christ meet the challenges of today in oneness with Him in spirit.

Carl T. Fynboe

Posted: August 19, 2008 3:04 PM


"He is coming soon! He is coming soon!

Kim	Posted: August 19, 2008 2:37 PM

I used to joke about an "intent meter." It was a hypothetical thing implanted, in my furtive imaginings, in an obvious place in politicians in particular, that allowed the rest of us to know why they were doing something, or saying something. I have come to believe that there is one already in each human being. It is the heart. Fortunately only God can read it. Were we all able to, we'd be far too self satisfied in some instances. Those of us who're saved by grace, progress in our knowledge of what grace is, and become increasingly able to extend it to others. While many of us waste money on trivial things really, this article speaks to me about things certainly not trivial at all. I will amend my behavior as a result of this reminder. I will amend it not to "buy my way into heaven," but to extend the grace of God further. It's the least I can do after the sacrifices He made for me.

Steve

Posted: August 19, 2008 2:19 PM

Thanks Anonymous for reminding both reader and author about the Gospel of Grace. Pete, you just don't get it and using James to back up your desire to prove your worth is still just dust compared to what the Gospel truly says. It is this type of disinformation that leads to condemnation and drives non-believers even further away. Pete's judgemental BS is not even remotely Christian. Two types of Believers?? So tell me Pete. Who went to heaven the guy hanging on the other cross beside Christ who obviously had no time to do anything but "warm" a seat or hardworking Peter the rock? Good grief! Perhaps Jesus in the above verses is talking about all the self-righteous Petes of the world that can't accept the Gospel of Grace and still feel like they have to prove something to God. I have been a subscriber for years and this will be the last time I read CT. Mr Guthrie please have a sit down with Mr. Yancey and let him explain some things to you before you try another guilt article. YUCK

Pete Benson, editor UNITYINCHRIST.COM

Posted: August 19, 2008 1:40 PM

The real gospel of salvation walks on two legs, as Franklin Graham once said, in describing the Mission of Samaritan's Purse. We can preach up a storm of words, but without the loving caring action of believers helping those less fortunate that themselves, our words, even if the very words of God, have little meaning. James said it all in James 2, when he said his famous words about those who would say "Be warmed and filled" and yet do nothing for those in need. I believe Matthew 25 is describing two types of believers, those that are active, really born-again believers, who are moved by the Spirit of God to fit Jesus' first description in Matthew 25, while the others are those who are "nominal Christians", those seat-warmers who in reality are not really born-again, just think they are. Paul did say in 2 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Philip Williams

Posted: August 19, 2008 1:25 PM

However needful such help may be, it is dishonest to pull Scriptures out of context. The full quote: Matt. 25:40-41 ¶ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Jesus also explained who his brothers were: Matt. 12:50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Andi and Sheba Eicher

Posted: August 19, 2008 12:12 PM


Great article Stan. Just one small point. This is not a parable. A parable as I understand it - is a picture story that helps us understand a deeper meaning etc. This is a pure, unvarnished prophecy. ... When the Son of man comes... this will all take place. Blessings to you and all who are privileged / blessed enough to read this on the net. Andi and Sheba Eicher - andisheba@yahoo.co.in

Anonymous

Posted: August 19, 2008 12:06 PM

The use of this text is sometimes meant to produce guilt in people. The text, however, refers to the Last Judgment when Christians who did these things (not necessarily did each one do all of these things) out of faith in Christ and NOT to be rewarded with salvation. I post this only to point out that fact so that no one may be mistaken as to the intent of the Matthew passage. Our salvation depends upon what Christ has done in His death and resurrection and NOT upon what we do. We could never do enough to save ourselves!

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