Heroes Jul-Oct 2012 taster

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

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July – September 2012 Issue 11 £3.50 $6.00 €5.00

heroes of the

faith

INSIDE:

• Eric Liddell

Olympic champion and outstanding missionary

• Frank Jenner

Unknown evangelist who had a global impact

• Jan Hus

Dark Ages preacher who paid the ultimate price

• The best show

in Tinseltown!

Aimee Semple McPherson’s preaching drew in the crowds PLUS

• Charles ‘Chuck’ Colson • Heroes of the Bible – Elijah • What if we hadn’t prayed?

• Reverse Missionaries reviewed

inspiring insights from men & women who proved God

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JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

Inside this issue...

SUBSCRIPTIONS SEE PAGE 35 FOR DETAILS

5 WELCOME

6 COURAGE OF OLD MISSIONARIES David Littlewood reviews the recent BBC documentary, Reverse Missionaries

9 RUNNING FOR GOD AND GOLD

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

old The courage of the missionaries of

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n an age where the media appears so and often to be dominated by secularism unbelief, it was good to see the three programmes in the series, Reverse Missionaries, shown on the BBC during March.

The idea is intriguing. Each programme was traced the history of a missionary who sent out from the shores of Britain during the 19th century explosion of evangelical

hero came from.

The first thing that struck me was the misincredible courage possessed by these with sionaries of old, who went out to lands primitive transport, non-existent medical those facilities and constant dangers from who were opposed to their message.

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

Praying prophet on heroes from the pages of the John Lancaster continues his series the praying prophet Bible, this time looking at Elijah,

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an illustration hen Jesus’ brother, James, wanted of a righteous of the immense power of the prayers Elijah. man, instinctively he thought of He prayed earnestly that “Elijah was a man, just like us. on the land for three and it would not rain, and it did not rain the heavens gave rain, and a half years. Again he prayed, and 5:16-17). the earth produced its crops.” (James of the prophet’s prayers, James quotes only two examples 17-19 actually Kings in 1 but the history of Elijah as found when the prophet ‘prayed records no less than five occasions earnestly’ and with great effect.

He prayed for a nation in decline a disastrous royal By the time Elijah appears in Scripture, and moral decline of marriage had accelerated the spiritual to his pagan prinIsrael. King Ahab’s ‘political marriage’ into the wild excesses of cess, Jezebel, led him and the nation by spiritual indecision Baal worship. It was a nation crippled between two opinions’.

– what the prophet called ‘limping came Elijah with a Into Ahab’s luxurious ivory palace his prophetic ministry stern warning of judgment. Behind prayer – what he was lay a period of powerful intercessory by what he had already before Ahab’s throne was shaped been before the throne of God. been moved to pray, Out of that intense prayer he had for its humbling before not for the nation’s prosperity, but – economic and God through the far-reaching consequences suffering. He dared to pray otherwise – of the drought it was for a costly path to national repentance.

He prayed for a family in crisis humour when God arranges There is a quirky sense of divine of a family facing death ‘digs’ for his servant in the home provision, however, the by starvation! Under God’s gracious family and Elijah more than survive.

– the boy who has been But then the unthinkable happens dies! His mother seems to kept alive supernaturally suddenly defensive, or embarkblame Elijah, but instead of becoming of Providence, Elijah simply ing on a lecture on the mysteries says: “Give me your son.” in his own bed – Symbolically laying the dead child – he stretches himself out in where normally he would relax ‘fervent prayer’ until the child revives. surely increasingly must “Give me your son (daughter)” to the troubled families be our heart-felt, prayerful response communities. all around us in our churches and

Elim’s 1936 convention filled the huge Crystal Palace

He prayed for the rain of revival prophets of Baal, Elijah Having dealt decisively with the of Carmel, this time kneelonce more ascends to the summit rain. ing to pray passionately for the reviving in intercession despite Bowed low before God, he persists his servant. Faith hears the the daunting negative reports of and what Elijah inaudible as well as seeing the invisible, of rain’ exploded into the heard as ‘the sound of abundance and a dormant earth stirred thunderclaps of a divine deluge itself in new life. ‘burn out’ He prayed through a time of personal just like us’. Utterly As James said, Elijah was ‘a man surgery on Carmel, depressed because, despite his drastic raged in Jezebel, Elijah the cancer of Baal worship still from the ministry under a composed a letter of resignation desert tree. drained and spiritually Physically exhausted, emotionally – but he still prayed, pourburnt out, he could take no more answered! ing out his soul to God. And God and emotional needs First, he ministered to his physical then led him to a fresh (a long sleep and a nourishing meal) Horeb. There he learned encounter with himself on Mount is mightier than an that a whisper from the lips of God earthquake without him. sent forth afresh to With that re-assurance, Elijah was with him yet – he still fulfil his calling. God hadn’t finished had a future. H

Artist Gustave Doré depicts

Elijah executing the prophets

of Baal

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20 JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

Jan Hus

25 ‘SHOW’ THAT DREW THE CROWDS

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from heaven He prayed for supernatural fire skyline, with arms outSilhouetted against the Carmel – a heroic figure of stretched towards heaven, he stood him was a dissolute passionate, prevailing prayer. Before priests and a silent crowd of king, a rabble of fanatical pagan spiritually bankrupt people.

Baal’s power As his prayer for drought had challenged fire would expose Baal’s as a fertility god, his prayer for establish the supremacy of false reputation as the god of fire, Jehovah and validate his own ministry. was to ‘put no fire Elijah’s challenge to Baal’s priests They were not to use human altar. the on sacrifice the under’ on himself, even drenchsubstitutes – a condition he placed That rebuilt altar, ing his altar in ‘fire-proofing’ water! recognition of the need with its proclamation of faith and prelude to the prayer that for atonement, was the necessary fell! brought the fire down. And the fire

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20 A LIGHT IN THE DARK AGES

David Petts remembers when a young woman’s life hung in the balance following a suicide attempt

before she was 20.

But it is for her remarkable work in was India that Amy is best known for. She commissioned by the Church of England’s in Zenana Mission. Much of her work – thirty Dohnavur – situated in Tamil Nadu – was miles from the southern tip of India saved with young ladies, many of whom she

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 15

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18 THE BIG PICTURE

34 WHAT IF... we hadn’t prayed?

Carmichael Through the work and sacrifice of heroes of like Burchell and Sharpe, the slaves the Jamaica found emancipation, as did rechildren of India under the care of a markable woman missionary from Ireland, she Amy Carmichael. As a young woman worked among the mill girls in Belfast, founding a church that seated 500 people

Heroes of the Book

17 WORDS TO LIVE BY & Bible crossword

32 BOOK REVIEWS – Recommended reads

Clockwise from main picture: David Livingstone, Amy Carmichael and Thomas Burchell

Bleak Britain The downside to the programmes, unfortunately, was when the reverse missionaries from of modern times came to the places started which the original missionaries had the from. It gave a very bleak picture of present. spiritual state of the British Isles at This came as quite a shock to all our three of the ‘reverse missionaries’ from overseas who expected to find the country to have that originally sent the missionaries a thriving spiritual life.

Hence Kshama Jayaraj, a young woman from India who runs a flourishing Church in Mumbai called House of Prayer which attracts children, youth and young adults, wall’ found that she hit a spiritual ‘brick people when she tried to talk to the young of Belfast about God. Similarly, Franklin Small, from Jamaica, in retracing the steps of Thomas Burchell sadGloucestershire, was surprised and was dened that the community of Cotswold not interested at all in the gospel.

And John Chilimtsidya, who oversees a church that has grown from 25 people four years ago to about 800 in Blantyre, Malawi, soon realised that things have in Livingstone of changed from the days the great missionary’s home town. Today, football he found young people worshipped rather than God; they were not interested worse, about Church or Christianity. Even at the Congregational Church he was based

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16 TIME TRAVEL Amazing answers to prayer

Meet Frank Jenner, the Australian who spread the gospel around the world – one person at a time

Burchell Another vigorous opponent of the slave English trade, this time in Jamaica, was the missionary, Thomas Burchell. Burchell the spent 22 years in Jamaica working with the Baptist Missionary Society, preaching and gospel and establishing many churches schools.

Burchell’s time in Jamaica included the some of the most notorious years in history of slavery abolition in the colony, of which culminated in the persecution Christthe after Baptists other and Burchell mas Rebellion or Baptist War of 1831.

Burchell narrowly escaped death by the fleeing offshore, but one of his deacons, the African-born Samuel Sharpe, died for of the cause of slavery abolition at the hands being ‘Planters’ and their governing militia, executed on May 23, 1832. Sharpe was 1975 and made a national hero of Jamaica in bill. now appears on the Jamaican 50 dollar

the gospel. naOn his travels he learned about the in order tive culture, customs and language to be able to reach the local people with the the gospel. In order to acclimatise with indigenous people, he actually cut himself form of off for the first six months from any European life or culture.

Livingstone also fought tirelessly of the against the slave trade. In fact, one was reasons for his exploration of Africa that to find out about the natural resources

John Lancaster turns his attention to Elijah – the powerful praying prophet

29 THE GEORGE STREET EVANGELIST

Africa.

Livingstone Livingstone was sent out by the London from Missionary Society to South Africa where he began the journey northward setting up mission stations and preaching

How Charles ‘Chuck’ Colson, went from Watergate’s ‘ hatchet man’ to become a Christian leader

Aimee Semple McPherson’s emphasis on healing in the movie capital of America was the best show in town

were available there so the evil of slavery could be replaced with legitimate trade in African goods. Malawi’s commercial after capital, Blantyre, was actually named of Livingstone’s hometown on the outskirts influGlasgow – a tribute to his remarkable ence as a missionary, explorer and medical influence in both Central and Southern

missionary work.

The programmes covered the colourful lives of three great missionary heroes: went to Thomas Burchell (1799-1846), who Jamaica, Dr David Livingstone (1813-1873), the great missionary-explorer who tramped the forests of Africa, and Amy Carmichael impov(1867-1951), who worked among the erished children of India.

The respective missionary’s life was day modern a of eyes the through seen Christian from that country. The person the concerned had come to Britain to trace and remains of his or her missionary hero also to do some evangelism as a ‘reverse original the where area the missionary’ in

13 A PAUL-LIKE CONVERSION

Preacher Jan Hus fought the religious systems of his day but paid the ultimate price

This from forced prostitution or Devadasi. girls was the practice of dedicating young into to Hindu temple gods and forcing them prostitution to earn money for the priests.

The organisation Amy founded, the a Dohnavur Fellowship, would become sanctuary for over 1,000 children who future. would otherwise have faced a bleak on InShe would often travel long distances child one just save to roads dusty dia’s hot, from suffering. In order to respect Indian and culture, Amy dressed in Indian clothes dyed her skin with dark coffee. a While serving in India, Amy received letter from a young lady who was considering life as a missionary. She asked Amy, wrote “What is missionary life like?” Amy a back saying, “Missionary life is simply chance to die.”

recent BBC television Editor David Littlewood reviews the documentary programme, Reverse Missionaries

As Olympic fever hits Britain, we remember athletic champion Eric Liddell – a true Hero of the Faith

14 HEROES OF THE BOOK

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Mission & Miracles

church pomp and prestige that many in the hierarchy surrounded themselves with, denouncing the elitist and worldly attitudes

A light in the dark ness of the Middle Ages systems of his day and was eventually Preacher Jan Hus fought the religious David Littlewood investigates martyred for his strong doctrinal stance.

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arly in the 16th century a young monk was rummaging through a stack of documents in a library when he happened come across some who sermons written by a Bohemian cleric had been burnt as a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church in 1415.

Later in life he would say that he was ‘overwhelmed with astonishment’. For, what he said: “I could not understand for who cause they had burnt so great a man, gravexplained the Scriptures with so much ity and skill.”

The name of the young monk was Martin Luther, later to become the catalyst that would spark the Protestant Reformation him in Europe. The sermons that moved great to astonishment were written by the Czech preacher and reformer, Jan Hus. be Hus, along with John Wycliffe, must precounted as one of the great figures of of the Reformation Europe, shining the light Word of God into the darkness, superstition of and error that had enveloped the Church the Middle Ages.

The power of Hus’ preaching, coupled and holiwith his fervent Czech nationalism common the to hero ness of life, made him a people who heard him.

Over 100 years later his teaching on indulReformation themes (like hostility to gences) together with his steadfast commitof ment to the truth of God’s Word in spite him, the threat of martyrdom hanging over

not know.” Such humility set Hus apart many would make him a hero to Luther and day, from the majority of the clergy of the other Reformers. in most of whom were content to remain Hus was born around 1369 to peasant things vanity of mind and ignorance of the parents in Husenic, in the south of today’s of God. as ‘Jan Czech Republic. Originally known Having received his ordination, Hus he of Husinec’ (lit. ‘John of Goosetown’) became the preacher at Prague’s Bethlehem later became simply known as Jan Hus one of Chapel, the most popular church in (‘John Goose’). Years later Luther would Europe’s largest cities, in 1401. Accomsayname, Hus’ on pun cruel make a rather modating up to 3,000 people, the chapel for ing that the ‘goose’ had been ‘cooked’ with became a centre of reform in Bohemia, of defying the Pope. language the in sermons being preached When he was 13, Hus’ parents deterusual the people – Czech – rather than the priestmined he would be educated for the Latin that few understood. hood as it was believed to be the quickest It was during his time of intense study way for the young man to secure a good and that a change took place in Hus’ life livelihood in a respectable profession. him. the Word of God became a reality to As a poor student at Prague University, of his This caused him to reconsider many of he became familiar with the hard life his reliance on abandon and beliefs religious for the common people, feeling empathy comthe religious superstitions that were the them in their sufferings. He also noted days. monly adhered to by people in those once greed and corruption of the clergy, As he wrote later: “When the Lord often saying: “When I was a student they I gave me knowledge of the Scriptures, were sang vigils in the church. While we my discharged that kind of stupidity from from singing, the priests collected money mind.” us.” the congregation and thus misused It appears that a major factor in Hus’ A talented and diligent student, Hus own personal reformation was the writings earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, of the English reformer and Bible translator, his topping them with a doctorate. From Hus student a still John Wycliffe. While his earliest days as a student, he made it and came in contact with Wycliffe’s works rule that “whenever I discern a sounder won over. It was mainly completely was gladly I opinion in any matter whatsoever, Wycliffe’s principle that ‘sinful authority For I and humbly abandon the earlier one. ceases to be authority at all’ that aroused are know that those things I have learned Hus’s enthusiasm. Wycliffe’s criticism I do but the least in comparison with what

❛

He also rebuked the pomp and prestige that many in the church hierarchy surrounded themselves with, denouncing the elitist and worldly attitudes of the clergy

❛

from Editor Dave Littlewood

of the clergy.

Hus was a champion of the working classes in a society that was still largely the feudal. In one sermon he compared wretched peasant or a poor old woman with a wealthy and sinful lord or prelate the old and concluded that the peasant and stood woman, each living a virtuous life, higher before Christ than any nobleman or even prince and king. Such indictments against stirred the exploited people to revolt enemies their feudal masters and made Hus and prelates both among places in high princes.

At the time the University of Prague, where (in addition to his duties at Bethlewas hem Chapel) Hus was Dean and Rector, already split between Czechs and Germans.

Wycliffe’s teachings widened the divide, to with the Czechs, with Hus, beginning embrace Wycliffe’s reforming ideas.

Though the Wycliffe faction had no they intention leaving the Church itself, wanted to place more emphasis on the Bible, expand the authority of church and councils (and lessen that of the Pope), For promote the moral reform of clergy.

Hus, the Scriptures increasingly became his point of reference, “desiring to hold, in believe, and assert whatever is contained them as long as I have breath in me.”

Out of this ensued a political struggle, and his with the Germans labelling Wycliffe of followers as heretics. With the support Czechs the however, the king of Bohemia, gained the upper hand, and the Germans were forced to flee to other universities.

The situation was further complicated

by European politics, with two claimants other to the title of Pope vying with each the for the rule of Christendom. In the end in matter was settled at a council in Pisa 1409 in which both the papal claimants to were deposed and Alexander V elected the papacy.

Like most corrupt prelates, Alexander by persuaded was and bribery to was open in of Christendom in England had much side the Bohemian church authorities to both common with Hus’s critical views of in Hus with them against Hus. This resulted Bohemia. in Church and society to being excommunicated and forbidden Hus therefore made Wycliffe’s work decree) preach. However, the ‘bull’ (ie papal basis of his own critical writings and effect practical little had issued against Hus built teachings. In his sermons at the newly as, with local Bohemians backing him, rich Bethlehem Chapel, he attacked the to preach and minister at continued Hus in found clergy and the inordinate wealth Bethlehem Chapel. the Church. He would compare Christ’s In 1411, Alexander’s successor, John original Church with the prodigal, luxuriXXIII, authorised the selling of indulgences the ous Church of his times, claiming that one of to raise funds for his crusade against splendour of the prelates, like the luxury his rivals. This incensed Hus, who foltoil of of the nobles’ castles, came from the lowed the example of Wycliffe in preachthe the labouring people. He also rebuked

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26 JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

Aimee Semple McPherson son was undoubtedly the most prominent woman leader Pentecostalism has produced. a A strikingly beautiful woman, she was figure colourful and, at times, controversial of who won the hearts of a whole generation American Christians.

Essentially Pentecostal, preaching the ‘Four Square Gospel’ of Jesus as Saviour, she Healer, Baptiser and Coming King, across nevertheless appealed to Christians the board. At a time when Pentecostalism and was in danger of becoming narrow idioms separatist, Aimee used the popular and, of the day to communicate the gospel the in an era devoted to vaudeville, caught of public imagination. She was way ahead of her time and also made extensive use writing and broadcasting. a Born Aimee Elizabeth Kennedy on Canada, small farm near Ingersoll, Ontario, in 1890, she was nurtured in the Christian a faith by her mother Minnie (at that time knowlpersonal a to came and Salvationist) edge of Christ at 18 through Pentecostal evangelist Robert Semple. After receiving the baptism in the Spirit, Aimee married Robert and the young couple set about pioneering in Canada and the USA. Determined to serve as ‘faith’ missionHong aries in China, the Semples reached weeks Kong in June 1910 but within a few widRobert died of malaria, leaving Aimee of 20. owed with a newborn baby at the age Recovering from the shock, she returned to New York where she met and married aspiring evangelist Harold McPherson. car’ They toured together in their ‘gospel holding evangelistic campaigns. Harold acted as the advance man while Aimee – and followed him up with her preaching of her striking presence, wonderful powers communication and emphasis on healing ‘The drew the crowds. In 1917 she launched which Bridal Call’, a monthly magazine in the she wrote many articles expounding essence of her teaching.

Unfortunately Aimee’s success strained her marriage beyond redemption. Harold his seemed unable to accept the fact that and wife’s ministry far exceeded his own left Aimee to pursue an (unsuccessful) part evangelistic career of his own. For her well it appears that Aimee put her own call before her duties as a wife and the couple

kidemployee. But in fact she had been relief at napped in Mexico and such was the lined the having her back that 50,000 people to Los streets to welcome her on her return Angeles.

Nevertheless Aimee and her mother were charged with perjury and ridiculed charges from pulpit to press. Ultimately the who were dropped and the district attorney to instigated the case was himself sent corruption. for prison have A nervous breakdown in 1930 may David precipitated a disastrous marriage to of L Hutton in 1931, which alienated some her contemporaries. But her tremendous depresresilience prevailed and during the 1.5 sion she met the physical needs of over Saviour. even brothels – to tell people of the people regardless of race, creed or million brimand fire no There was no pleading, colour. stone, no criticising – just a warm-hearted A journalist sent to investigate relief welcome from a woman who cared. corruption much amidst efforts reported, Believing that people who most needed among charitable organisations, Aimee’s in the gospel were not likely to be found for the needy. He said, “I compassion where districts church, she visited red-light saw her feeding, encouraging and giving she hugged, cried and prayed with the as hope, faith and strength to the poor women. her they jammed the Temple... and I saw Settling in Los Angeles, Aimee founded into insulting those who had folding money the International Church of the Foursquare parting with it for their destitute brothers.

Gospel and the Angeles Temple was her She had sick women on the floor of dedicated in 1923. She became the first home and old men in her garage.” a woman to receive a licence to operate By the time of her death in 1944, the radio station, and programmes from Angeles Temple had over 400 branch Temple brought the gospel to thousands.

22,000 members) and some (with churches were divorced in 1921. established Seeing the need for training, she Rolf 200 mission stations abroad. Her son, Dedicated, talented and energetic, and the Lighthouse for International Foursquare of won McPherson, took over the leadership with a burning desire to see the lost College and also Bible (LIFE) Evangelism over has Known ICFG and today the denomination for Christ, Aimee toured America. invested in foreign missions. a total she 25,000 churches in 74 countries with simply as ‘sister’ to her many followers, But her later years were dogged by in the of 1,700,000 members. Such is the legacy showed not only formidable oratory controversy. Her mysterious disappearto be in of this remarkable woman who liked pulpit but a deep compassion for people rise ance, believed drowned, in 1926, gave – known as ‘everybody’s sister’. H all walks of life. She would go anywhere to speculation of an affair with a former and nightclubs, theatres, dance halls, jails

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9

Eric Liddell

Eric Liddell, known as the Flying Scotsman, winning the 440 yards race at Stamford Bridge, London, in 1924

Running for g ld!

Running for God!

I

n 1977 a successful but disillusioned filmmaker was lying ill in Los Angeles.

To while away the time, he flicked through ‘The Official History of the Olympic Games’ by Bill Henry when an incident from the 1924 games riveted his attention.

He read how a Scottish student, having withdrawn from his chosen event, the 100 metres, because his religious scruples would not allow him to run on a Sunday, nevertheless surprised himself and everyone else by triumphing in the 400 metres, breaking the world record in the process.

The idea eventually developed into a film, straight from the pages of ‘Boy’s Own’. What’s more, Chariots Of Fire became a hugely successful movie and went on to win producer David Puttnam the Oscar for best film of 1981.

More importantly, it made the man many still regard as Scotland’s greatest

As Olympic fever hits Britain, we remember athletic champion Eric Liddell, a true Hero of the Faith who swapped the running track for the mission field athlete – Eric Liddell – a household name, just as it had been when he won Olympic gold for Britain in an event not reckoned to be his best.

It was a characteristic of Liddell that, whether running for gold, preaching the gospel or working amid the poverty and horrors of war in occupied China, he always found an ability beyond himself, an ability that was rooted in a simple but unshakeable faith in God. And in the recollections of those who knew him, Liddell not only emerges as a great athlete, but as a man whose saintly character was attested even by those who had no time for his God.

Eric Henry Liddell was born in Tientsin, China, in 1902. His parents were missionaries with the London Missionary Society.

Although the family were very close, educational needs dictated that Eric (not yet seven) and his brother (eight) were sent to Eltham College, a school for the sons of missionaries.

Although not outstanding academically, Eric and his brother began to dominate the school sports as they grew up, excelling at cricket, rugby and athletics. Leaving school in 1920, Eric went to study science at Heriot-Watt College in Edinburgh. Here he soon began to gain a reputation not only as

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The Big Picture

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 13

Obituary

Paul-like conversion of Watergate man Charles ‘Chuck’ Colson, who gained notoriety as President Nixon’s ‘hatchet man’ during the American Watergate Scandal in the 1970s, but later went on to become a leading Christian leader and cultural commentator, has died at the age of 80.

David Littlewood looks back at his life

A

shrewd and feared political operator in the heyday of the Nixon administration, Charles Colson was born to working class parents in Boston in 1931. He had a successful career as a lawyer before becoming Special Counsel to the President in 1969.

Colson authored the 1971 memo listing Nixon’s major political opponents, later known as Nixon’s Enemies List. It was said that he “would walk over his own grandmother if necessary” and his ruthless political manoeuvring led to reports that Colson sought to hire Teamsters thugs to beat up anti-war demonstrators. He also proposed firebombing the Brookings Institution and stealing politically damaging documents while fire-fighters put the fire out.

These and other examples of political skulduggery came to a head in the ‘Watergate Scandal’, which rocked America in 1974, leading to Nixon’s resignation from the presidency and Colson’s indictment (along with others) for conspiracy to cover up the Watergate burglary. However, as Colson was facing arrest, a close friend gave him a copy of ‘Mere Christianity’ by CS Lewis. After reading it, Colson committed his life to Christ.

When news of his conversion emerged much later, several US newspapers ridiculed his new faith, claiming that it was a ploy to reduce his sentence. However, after taking the Fifth Amendment on the advice of his lawyers during early testimony, Colson found himself torn between his desire to be truthful and his desire to avoid conviction on charges of which he believed himself innocent. Following prayer and consultation with his fellowship group, Colson approached his lawyers and suggested a

plea of guilty to the charge of obstruction of justice, something which he did consider himself culpable of.

Colson served seven months in prison during which time he became increasingly aware of what he saw as injustices done to prisoners and shortcomings in their rehabilitation. Having discovered his late father had also had an interest in prison reform, Colson became convinced that he was being called by God to develop a ministry to prisoners with an emphasis on promoting changes in the justice system.

As a result, on his release from prison, Colson turned his formidable talents and energies into the founding and promotion of Prison Fellowship, which today is America’s largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families.

The author of more than 30 books, Colson also maintained a variety of media channels, which discuss contemporary issues from a Christian worldview. He was

an outspoken critic of postmodernism, believing that, as a cultural worldview, it is incompatible with the Christian tradition.

Colson received honorary doctorates from various colleges and universities and in 1993 he was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, the world’s largest cash gift (over $1 million), which is given each year to the one person in the world who has done the most to advance the cause of religion. He donated this prize, as he did all speaking fees and royalties, to further the work of Prison Fellowship.

Another honour came to Colson in 2008 when he received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President George W Bush.

The tributes Colson received on his death stood in stark contrast to his reputation in the media at the time of Watergate.

Apologist Ravi Zacharias, who called Colson ‘a prophet for our times,’ said his ‘dramatic conversion after the dark Watergate days was almost Paul-like’. “His courage,” Zacharias said in a statement, “to share the gospel with clarity and his deep concern for our deteriorating society were ever at the heart of his thinking. Truly, Chuck was a bold witness for our Lord.”

US Senator John McCain called Colson ‘a fine man whose life proved that there is such a thing as redemption’, and evangelist Billy Graham acknowledged Colson’s ‘tremendous ministry reaching into prisons and jails with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ for three and a half decades’.

Billy added, “When I get to heaven and see Chuck again, I believe I will also see many, many people there whose lives have been transformed because of the message he shared with them. I count it a privilege to have called him friend.” H

20 JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

Jan Hus

A light in the darkness of the Middle Ages Outstanding preacher Jan Hus fought against the many political and religious abuses of his day but was eventually martyred for his strong biblical stance

E

arly in the 16th century a young monk was rummaging through a stack of documents in a library when he happened to come across some sermons written by a Bohemian cleric who had been burnt as a heretic by the Roman Catholic Church in 1415.

Later in life he would say that he was ‘overwhelmed with astonishment’. For, he said: “I could not understand for what cause they had burnt so great a man, who explained the Scriptures with so much gravity and skill.”

The name of the young monk was Martin Luther, later to become the catalyst that would spark the Protestant Reformation in Europe. The sermons that moved him to astonishment were written by the great Czech preacher and reformer, Jan Hus. Hus, along with John Wycliffe, must be counted as one of the great figures of preReformation Europe, shining the light of the Word of God into the darkness, superstition and error that had enveloped the Church of the Middle Ages.

The power of Hus’ preaching, coupled with his fervent Czech nationalism and holiness of life, made him a hero to the common people who heard him.

Over 100 years later his teaching on Reformation themes (like hostility to indulgences) together with his steadfast commitment to the truth of God’s Word in spite of the threat of martyrdom hanging over him,

would make him a hero to Luther and many other Reformers.

Hus was born around 1369 to peasant parents in Husenic, in the south of today’s Czech Republic. Originally known as ‘Jan of Husinec’ (literally ‘John of Goosetown’) he later became simply known as Jan Hus (‘John Goose’). Years later Luther would make a rather cruel pun on Hus’ name, saying that the ‘goose’ had been ‘cooked’ for defying the Pope.

When he was 13, Hus’ parents determined he would be educated for the priesthood as it was believed to be the quickest way for the young man to secure a good livelihood in a respectable profession.

As a poor student at Prague University, he became familiar with the hard life of the common people, feeling empathy for them in their sufferings. He also noted the greed and corruption of the clergy, once saying: “When I was a student we often sang vigils in the church. While we were singing, the priests collected money from the congregation and thus misused us.”

A talented and diligent student, Hus earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, topping them with a doctorate. From his earliest days as a student, he made it his rule that: “Whenever I discern a sounder opinion in any matter whatsoever, I gladly and humbly abandon the earlier one. For I know that those things I have learned are but the least in comparison with what I do

not know.” Such humility set Hus apart from the majority of the clergy of the day, most of whom were content to remain in vanity of mind and ignorance of the things of God. Having received his ordination, in 1401 Hus became the preacher at Prague’s Bethlehem Chapel, the most popular church in one of Europe’s largest cities. Accommodating up to 3,000 people, the chapel became a centre of reform in Bohemia, with sermons being preached in the language of the people – Czech – rather than the usual Latin which few understood.

It was during his time of intense study that a change took place in Hus’ life and the Word of God became a reality to him.

This caused him to reconsider many of his religious beliefs and abandon his reliance on the religious superstitions that were commonly adhered to by people in those days.

As he wrote later: “When the Lord gave me knowledge of the Scriptures, I discharged that kind of stupidity from my mind.”

It appears that a major factor in Hus’ own personal reformation was the writings of the English reformer and Bible translator, John Wycliffe. While still a student Hus came in contact with Wycliffe’s works and was completely won over. It was mainly Wycliffe’s principle that ‘sinful authority ceases to be authority at all’ that aroused Hus’ enthusiasm. Wycliffe’s criticism

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 21

❛

Hus rebuked the pomp and prestige that many in the church hierarchy surrounded themselves with, denouncing the elitist and worldly attitudes of the clergy

of Christendom in England had much in common with Hus’ critical views of both Church and society in Bohemia.

Hus therefore made Wycliffe’s work the basis of his own critical writings and teachings. In his sermons at the newly built Bethlehem Chapel, he attacked the rich clergy and the inordinate wealth found in the Church. He would compare Christ’s original Church with the prodigal, luxurious Church of his times, claiming that the splendour of the prelates, like the luxury of the nobles’ castles, came from the toil of the labouring people. He also rebuked the

pomp and prestige that many in the church hierarchy surrounded themselves with, denouncing the elitist and worldly attitudes of the clergy.

Hus was a champion of the working classes in a society that was still largely feudal. In one sermon he compared the wretched peasant or a poor old woman with a wealthy and sinful lord or prelate and concluded that the peasant and the old woman, each living a virtuous life, stood higher before Christ than any nobleman or even prince and king. Such indictments stirred the exploited people to revolt against their feudal masters and made Hus enemies in high places among both prelates and princes.

At the time the University of Prague, where (in addition to his duties at Bethlehem Chapel) Hus was Dean and Rector, was already split between Czechs and Germans.

Wycliffe’s teachings widened the divide, with the Czechs, along with Hus, beginning to embrace Wycliffe’s reforming ideas.

Though the Wycliffe faction had no intention of leaving the Church itself, they wanted to place more emphasis on the Bible, expand the authority of church councils (and lessen that of the Pope), and promote the moral reform of the clergy. For Hus, the Scriptures increasingly became his point of reference: “I desire to hold, believe, and assert whatever is contained in them as long as I have breath in me.”

Out of this ensued a political struggle, with the Germans labelling Wycliffe and his followers as heretics. With the support of the king of Bohemia, however, the Czechs gained the upper hand, and the Germans were forced to flee to other universities.

The situation was further complicated

by European politics, with two claimants to the title of Pope vying with each other for the rule of Christendom. In the end the matter was settled at a council in Pisa in 1409 in which both the papal claimants were deposed and Alexander V elected to the papacy.

Like most prelates at that time, Alexander was open to bribery and was persuaded by the Bohemian church authorities to side with them against Hus. This resulted in Hus being excommunicated and forbidden to preach. However, the ‘bull’ (papal decree) issued against Hus had little practical effect as, with local Bohemians backing him, he continued to preach and minister at Bethlehem Chapel.

In 1411, Alexander’s successor, John XXIII, authorised the selling of indulgences to raise funds for his crusade against one of his rivals. This incensed Hus, who followed the example of Wycliffe in preach-

❛

34 JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012

What if...

we hadn’t prayed

By David Petts

O

ne Saturday summer’s evening, while I was a young pastor in my first church in Colchester, I went down to the church at about nine in the evening to attend to a window that would not open.

As it was still fairly light, I did not at first turn the lights on. After a few minutes, however, I realised that I needed more light, so I switched them on. I mention this apparently trivial fact because, as it happens, the timing was perfect. Within half a minute someone was knocking at the church door.

He later told me that he would not have stopped if he had not seen the light come on just as he approached the church.

The man was in his 30s, well over six feet tall. He stood in the doorway, with tears in his eyes. I recognised him because, although he did not come to church, his grandmother had attended regularly until she died about six months earlier. I had met Billy at the funeral and had remembered his name.

“Come in Billy,” I said. “What’s the matter?”

Then he told me his story. He had gone to work as normal on Friday morning and had worked later than usual doing some overtime. When he arrived home late that evening, he called out to his wife, but there was no reply. As he could not imagine where she might be, he searched the house looking for her. He found her in the bedroom, on the bed, unconscious, an empty bottle of sleeping tablets beside her.

She was rushed into hospital, but they were by no means confident that they would be able to resuscitate her. On Saturday there was no improvement. She was in a coma.

By this time Billy was frantic. He was pacing up and down at home, when suddenly he noticed a photo of his grandmother on the piano. If only she had been still alive! She would have prayed! So Billy tried to pray, but he just didn’t know what to say. So he jumped on his motorbike and headed for our church. As he approached it, he thought that no one was there, and was about to drive

past when suddenly the lights came on!

I said to him: “Billy, I’ll tell you why you can’t pray. The Bible says that God’s ear is not deaf so that he cannot hear, but it’s the things we’ve done wrong that have created a barrier between us and God.” I asked him if he had ever asked Jesus to be his Saviour and to forgive him for the wrong things he’d done, and he said, “No.” When I asked him if he would like to, he said, “Yes,” and together we prayed and asked Jesus to come into his life.

Then we prayed together for his wife.

As we did so, I found myself praying in a rather unusual way: “In the name of Jesus, I rebuke this coma and command her to come out of it!” It seemed a strange thing to say, as she was two miles away in the Essex County Hospital, and even if she had not been in a coma, she would not have been able to hear me at that distance!

By then it was half past nine. I told Billy that his wife would be all right, and that he could go home – but as soon as he had gone I found myself doubting.

What will I say to him if his wife dies?

When Billy got home, he thought he would not be able to sleep so he sat down in an armchair. He told us later that at that moment he saw a bright light and felt a sensation of warmth flow through his body from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. The next thing he knew, it was nine on Sunday morning. He rushed into hospital to see how his wife was and was told that she had come out of her coma.

“Please,” he said, “Can you tell me exactly when it was?”

The nurse consulted the notes and replied: “Yes, it was at exactly half past nine last night.”

Billy was able to take her home that afternoon. She too became a Christian and they both became members of our church.

But what if we hadn’t prayed? ● Taken from ‘Signs from Heaven’ by David Petts. Used by permission. Available from www.davidpetts.org.

Stroke victim healed as her pastor prayed In an unrelated incident a woman who had suffered a huge stroke made a miraculous recovery – as her pastor prayed for her in hospital.

Weje Sekara’s family members were told that she would be paralysed after a blood clot in her brain was discovered. But as her pastor, Terry Walsh, began to pray, the unconscious 58-year-old made a dramatic recovery and began to talk. Moments later, she spoke on the phone to her daughter in America to tell her she had been healed.

Weje said she felt power go through her body as Rev Walsh prayed beside her bed in Frenchay Hospital, Bristol.

She said: “My pastor came and prayed for me. My daughter was calling me from America, but she couldn’t talk to me because I was unconscious. When the pastor finished his prayer suddenly I start speaking and after some minutes I started talking to my daughter in America. She was surprised and later the doctor said I didn’t need an operation because the blood clot had dispersed.

“My God is a great God who can do anything. I strongly believe in him and I have big faith in him. When I was unconscious the doctor told my husband that I’d had a massive stroke and that there was a blood clot in my head but they couldn’t operate. My husband was very worried but I now know the whole church was praying.

“The doctors and nurses thought I would be paralysed but now I am going to church every week and to Bible study.”

Weje Sekara

JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 25

Aimee Semple McPherson

With a flair for the dramatic that appealed to the movie capital of America in the glamorous 20s, Aimee Semple McPherson provided the best show in town. With her emphasis on divine healing, many outstanding miracles were reported under her ministry

Best show in town drew huge crowds

P

eople queued for hours hoping for admission to the huge 5,300-seater Angelus Temple where Aimee Semple McPherson’s illustrated sermons held audiences spellbound.

From relatively simple beginnings, such as when she dressed as Little Bo Peep (seeking lost sheep), they grew to spectacular productions involving the use of elaborate sets and full orchestras.

Having once been stopped by the police for speeding, she appeared in the Temple on a motorbike dressed in a police uniform, warning her hearers to stop speeding down the road to hell! And on a night when she had announced a new illustrated sermon, the city provided additional trams and police to control traffic. Aimee Semple

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