theadvocate.tv
JUNE 2011
“Rather than fearing change, embrace the possibility it offers.” JOHN MAXWELL
in conversation Pastor Karl Faase talks about building a team >>
Mission after bin Laden
6 Codex Sinaiticus arrives at Vose A copy of Codex Sinaiticus arrived at Vose Seminary Library in late April >>
Christians in volatile parts of the world were already under attack before the death of Osama bin Laden. Now organisations and missionaries are on high alert for signs of more attacks and retaliation.
8 Gay and the God-fearing The annual Mardi Gras parade in Sydney reminds us how far Australia has come >> Photo: AP
Squelching rumours that bin Laden had not actually been killed by USA armed forces, al-Qaeda confirmed the death of its leader on Friday 7 May. Through internet posts the group promised continued attacks on the USA and its ‘agents’. The increased security risk has been obvious in Pakistan where many Christian schools and churches closed after bin Laden’s death was announced. Some Christian communities have been under siege with many unable to leave their homes for fear of reprisals. Christians in Nigeria, where they have recently been targeted in post-election violence, are also braced for reprisals after hundreds of Muslims staged a protest in Kaduna denouncing the killing of bin Laden. In Indonesia, some Christians are seeing bin Laden’s death as an opportunity for the good news to spread. One foreign worker acknowledged they live in an area that is potentially more dangerous. He asked supporters to pray for boldness to sensitively share the good news of Jesus, even if they are misunderstood or reviled for doing so. Warren Larson, Director of the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies at Columbia International University in South Carolina, USA, highlights what he believes are appropriate responses to the situation.
Larson, who worked for several years in Pakistan, quoted Solomon in Proverbs 24:17, ‘Do not gloat when your enemy falls’. “I cringed to hear of jubilation in Washington and New York, as it was a stark reminder of how offended we (Americans) were by some reactions by Muslims on 9-11 (2001). President Obama announced the surgical raid by Navy Seals in sombre tones, but ... then there were scenes of Americans dancing in the streets.“ Larson says bin Laden has been irrelevant in most of the Muslim world for many years, and his calls for violence have long since been dismissed. “This is clear through the uprisings that have rocked the Middle East recently. It has been an Arab revolution, not an Islamic revolution. Rather than rejoice, pray for Christians in Pakistan that they will be salt and light at this crucial time,” he said. Larson states bin Laden was a billionaire, but chose to live in poverty and hardship for his cause. Larson suggests Christians need to consider if they are willing to sacrifice for a cause they say they believe in.
After the death of Osama bin Laden in May, there have been mixed reactions from Christians around the world. Some are in fear of further attacks, while others see it as an opportunity to spread the good news of Jesus.
Rudd praises Christians Kevin Rudd, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met more than 100 Micah Challenge advocates at a breakfast at Sydney University two days after the Federal Budget was announced to thank them for their work in helping secure aid in this year’s Federal Budget. “The wider movement we call Micah Challenge and Make Poverty History has brought aid from the outskirts of the political agenda to centre stage,” Mr Rudd said. Mr Rudd credited the movement for mobilising wide public support of the Millennium Development Goals and for ‘etching the issue deeply into the souls of Australians’. In thanking campaigners, Mr
Rudd also urged those present to keep up the work of ‘hassling politicians’ on both sides of politics. “The work you’ve done — big tick. The work you’ll do in the future — even more important,” Mr Rudd said. “Keep it up.” Micah Challenge supporters are travelling to Canberra in September for the annual Voices for Justice Gathering. They plan to hold meetings with politicians then. “Our supporters believe that God has called Christians to speak up on behalf of the world’s poorest people,” Micah Challenge National Coordinator, John Beckett said. “They have no intention of removing their pressure from Australia’s politicians.”
16 Making music; changing lives Paul Morrison is Club Chaplain to the West Coast Eagles football team >>
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