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CLAIMING THE CROWN: A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO CORONAVIRUS

March 15, 2020 /

Just as a picture is worth a thousand words so “A great story is worth a thousand theories”.  This is why spin doctors enjoy such influence—they know how to get stories across. It may also be the reason the author of the letter to the Hebrews (to whom I shall now refer as ‘The Author’) seeks to encourage his readers by reminding them of stories of faith. Chapter 11 names many characters from Scripture (Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab and the many others) each of whom has a powerful and memorable story attached to him/her which would instantly come to mind when their name was mentioned. Each person named in Chapter 11 stands in relation to faith as Bobby Moore and the rest of the 1966 squad stand in relation to world cup football. You don’t have to have been alive in England in 1966 to know their claim to fame. Thinking of them reminds you of the possibilities of what footballing talent can accomplish. Each name in Chapter 11 would have brought to mind the possibilities of what a life of faith in God can do.

Chapter 12 refers back to the heroes of faith of Chapter 11

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…

Hebrews 12:1–2

I used to think that this was likening us to athletes who are being cheered on by Abraham, Moses and the others named in Chapter 11 who witness our efforts. I recently learned that this interpretation is very unlikely to be correct. Rather the Author lists people in Chapter 11 who by their loyalty and endurance have borne witness to the possibilities of the life of faith. We are being invited to gain inspiration from those who have come before us: those whose lives of faith witness to us of the possibilities of a life of faith.

If you were invited to update the list of the faithful in chapter 11  who would you choose to add? I suggest three characters to inspire and encourage you. It’s very likely that most of us will soon find ourselves with 7 days’ or more isolation to fill and the first two nominations are therefore people you can read about (or download the books I shall mention on ‘Audible’ and have them read to you).

The first nomination you can read about in the prize-winning auto biography “Hillbilly Elegy” by James Vance. My nominee is James’ grandmother who provides the constant love and encouragement that allowed her grandson to survive and then flourish notwithstanding multiple social problems, including growing up surrounded by drug addiction, alcoholism and poverty. In her own quiet way, her day by day prayerful and loving support for her grandson made all the difference to his life.

 

 

My second nomination is Patricia, the mother of Trevor Noah who you can read about in his autobiography “Born a Crime.” She is a woman of rare wisdom whose faith in Jesus is inspirational. If you consider her example, the book will not only make you laugh it will also encourage you.

 

 

 

My third nomination is this unpromising looking man: Martin Rinckart. In 1637 he was Archdeacon of the small town of Eilenburg in Germany. It was overcrowded with people seeking shelter from war which was raging all about. Already poor, he and his family were forced to share their crowded home with soldiers billeted upon him by occupying Swedish forces.  Then plague and famine struck. The town had three clergymen. The plague killed one and caused another to flee the town.  Martin was left and he, together with the Mayor and one other citizen organised what relief they could for the desperate inhabitants of the town. By then Martin was living in poverty having given away everything to help his flock (his wife had died from the plague). He continued to visit the sick and dying, though the plague took a frightful toll. He buried over 4,000. Martin survived and died aged 63 in 1649. Today, if he is remembered at all, it is for writing this Hymn:

Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers’ arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.

O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts
and blessed peace to cheer us,
and keep us in his grace,
and guide us when perplexed,
and free us from all ills
in this world in the next.

That’s what keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus can do. How else could one emerge from war, famine, bereavement and plague with a thankful heart and a mind directed to worship? Martin remained eager to listen to God and be guided by Him — hence the prayer that God would ‘guide us when perplexed’.

In the space of a few weeks Corona Virus has suspended our normal way of life. Until the virus struck it was easy to live with the illusion that we are in control of our own destinies.  In recent years, many commentators have been observing a drift away from what one might call a ‘we society’—that is a society where communities look after each other and support each other, to a ‘me society’ (where the right of the individual to choose for him or herself trumps everything else)[1]. In such a society individual ‘autonomy’ is elevated to the status of a right and the community assumes a subordinate position. Parallel with this there is a fashion for looking inwards to answer the question ‘How can I find a fulfilled life?’

Coronavirus challenges these trends. It reminds us that we need each other and can only survive by cooperating with each other. (The policy of self isolation relies on people acting for the common good rather than continuing as normal). It reminds us that there are some things that are bigger than individual rights and that we are not in control. Ultimately it pointedly reminds each of us that we are mortal.

To suddenly find oneself helpless in the face of such a virus is frightening. To see yards of empty supermarket shelving because of panic-buying reinforces fear. To be fed incessant news coverage of Coronavirus tends to warp one’s perspective and further ramps up fear. Best to limit one’s exposure to the news cycle.

“Coronavirus” gets its name from the Latin ‘Corona’ meaning Crown. The name’s already been taken. James writes

12 Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

Every time I hear someone mention Coronavirus or read about it, I now deliberately bring to mind the Crown of Life. The Holy Spirit tells the Church at Smryna “Be faithful unto death and I will give you the Crown of Life”. Rev 2:10.   Why not bring to mind the Crown of Life that is promised to you whenever you see or hear Coronavirus mentioned.  It’s a small way to turn the mention of an epidemic into a blessing.

In Heb 13:14 the Author writes “14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Death is but the entry to that City.

40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:40 (ESV)[2]

This virus may bring havoc yet unseen and cancel events we thought were fixtures, but there is one fixture that will never be erased: Easter Day can’t be unwritten. Death is not the end. Jesus has seen to that. Death could not hold Him.

It is very likely that some of us will find ourselves with 7 days or more of isolation to cope with. For many, this will be a very strange and possibly lonely experience. Why not make a decision now that you will devote part of that period of isolation to listening to what God might be saying to you. You might try using the app “Pray As You Go” or “Lectio 365” according to your taste. You might try praying for others, particularly those who live in countries with no health service, or those in financial difficulty because of the virus. The wise time to start mentally preparing yourself for isolation is before you need to be isolated and whilst you are feeling well. Why not ask your friends what podcasts or talks they find encouraging and useful?  Get them to send them to you so that you have a back catalogue to listen to—7 days could feel like a long time.

A second derivation for the word ‘Corona’ is the Greek word “Korone” meaning the garland or wreath associated with the prize given to athletes at the end of a race.

 

When the Author tells us to ‘run with perseverance the race marked out for us’[3] I doubt it is an individual pursuit that he necessarily has in mind. Isn’t it much more likely that what he has in mind is something akin to this[4]:-

This is Matthew Rees in the T-shirt with green stripes choosing to forfeit a personal best time by slowing down to assist a stranger from a rival running club, David Wyeth. Rees told Wyeth, “Come on, we can do this” and together they crossed the finishing line.

Coronavirus is an opportunity to make a small shift away from the “I society” towards a “We Society”. It is an opportunity to “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). This is an opportunity to show our neighbours what the love of Jesus looks: like by serving them and each other. It might mean making supportive phone calls to someone to ensure that they have the basic supplies they need at home. It might mean shopping for them. How are people to experience the love of Jesus if we keep it to ourselves?

  1. See for e.g. Robert D Putnam: “Bowling Alone” and Jonathan Sacks ‘morality: Restoring The Common Good In Divided Times’ ↑
  2. See also John 11:25, John 3:16-17 and John 5:24 ↑
  3. “Therefore, …, let us …run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” Hebrews 12:1–2 see above for full verse. ↑
  4. See Hebrews 12:12–14 (ESV) 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. This suggests a cooperative effort rather than ‘everyone for themselves’. ↑
  5. This blog is adapted from a sermon on Hebrews given at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham on 15/03/2020

 

GOVERNING LIKE THIS IS DAMAGING…. WHAT NOW?

October 24, 2019 /

British politics has become so tribal and so polarised that the following thought experiment will be very difficult for most people but please try it:-

Imagine Mr Johnson’s government asks you for a list of policies that it should pursue. You provide that list and the government immediately agrees to pursue all the policies on your list and that existing policies will be abandoned if they contradict your list. Would this government’s methods of governing be acceptable if it was pursuing your chosen policies?

My answer to that is a clear “NO”. No matter what the merits of one’s chosen policies might be, the collateral damage Mr Johnson’s method of governing is inflicting is too great.  Here are some examples;-

● The Government is using ‘Downing Street Sources’ to spread lies and smears. Read this article https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/british-journalists-have-become-part-of-johnsons-fake-news-machine/ which gives specific examples. (This is not only an unwise way of doing business: it is also short sighted.  What happens if we get so used to hearing lies and misrepresentations from the media and politicians that even when they tell the truth we won’t believe them?)

● The Government refuses to use moderate language and is content to inflame tensions by inflammatory and aggressive language. Mr Johnson knows how to use words: journalism was his trade. The frequent use of images and language of war is not just distasteful: it is a step towards inciting violence. 

 

● If the Government perceives a short term gain is to be had, it does not shrink from adopting questionable methods to obtain that gain. Unlawfully advising the Queen to prorogue Parliament is a case in point. Treating the judiciary, parliament itself and MPs with disrespect are further examples.

The Government is acting as if the end justifies the means. It doesn’t.  If the ends justifies the means for a government why should not the same be true for others– no matter how far right, far left or extreme?

I emphasise that I am not making any point about the merits or otherwise of the Government’s aims and policies. My point is that HMG’s method of speaking and acting is objectionable and is doing harm that will take a long time to repair, if it can be repaired at all.

Nearly everyone approves of democracy and democratic institutions but this government’s way of governing assumes that democratic institutions are self-healing and everlasting. History shows that they are not. They can decay from the inside. The Government’s methods are causing such decay at a rapid pace. 

When democracy dies democratic institutions lose substance even whilst preserving the appearance of not having changed.  Thus there may still be Courts that sit with Judges who have the same robes but if judicial independence is lost or if the courts are too expensive or inaccessible (because the decisions are made by the home office and no effective review available) true justice fades.  Parliament may still meet in the iconic building of Westminster but if capable and diligent people are unwilling to serve as MPs because of the abuse that would go with the job what then?  If there is no easily available way of obtaining reliable news what chance of reasoned debate or meaningful choices without which democracy becomes impossible?

Read The Windrush Betrayal and you encounter a tyranny of the bureaucracy against defenceless innocent people. Read Refugee Tales III and you encounter similar bureaucratic tryanny against refugees.  Try telling them that they have the right to protection from the Court.

If you can stand the painful shame of it, watch the evidence given to the Public Accounts Committee in December 2018 by a Windrush victim and you will catch a glimpse of how rights can become hollow once decency and civility are eroded.

Decency and civility are being replaced by a very different and brutal way of governing and its not clear how this can be stopped.  There is a common thread that runs through the Grenfell tragedy, the Windrush betrayal and the marginalisation of many needing state assistance: that thread is an uncaring, even brutal, way of governing that fails to listen to cries for help.

A general election is coming but a change of government would not necessarily repair the damage that is now being done. The government’s methods, along with other factors beyond the government’s control, are poisoning the wells.  A new ‘normal’ is being established which is far from normal. This is easiest to see by considering the same phenomenon in the USA where Trump’s behaviour now has to be shocking to a degree before it even registers as unusual. What once would have caused outrage now causes barely a comment of disapproval.

Please use the comment facility or the email link on the left to suggest:-

  • How can we encourage our politicians to work in ways that build up trust and mutual respect?
  • How can we persuade our politicians that using language that promotes goodwill and compromise is something we respect and value?
  • How do we get the message across that the end does not justify the means?

 

Easter Saturday. A day to gloss over?

April 20, 2019 /

Christ’s resurrection from the dead is a sign and a wonder to dwarf all other signs and wonders. It opens the door to hope. Hope that death is not the end. Hope that darkness is not for ever. Hope that light really does triumph over darkness. Perhaps this is why we choose to focus most of our attention on Easter day’s celebration rather than the events of Good Friday. As for Easter Saturday, this is easily glossed over altogether. An inconvenient pause before a mighty celebration. I believe Easter Saturday is an important day which we neglect at our peril even though it is out of joint with the fashion of 2019.

The first Easter Saturday must have been a time of deep shock, grief, confusion and loss for the followers of Jesus. It was a time of unanswered questions. The crucifixion was not the sanitised event portrayed in polite art: it was a raw, horrific murder designed to humiliate the victim. What must the morning after the death of Jesus have been like for his family and followers? ‘Traumatic’ does not begin to describe it. A time for lament.

We in England in 2019 not do ‘lamentation’. The closest we get is a superficial feeling of gloom every time we are eliminated from football’s World Cup.

Celebration is an easy sell. Lamentation is the other end of the spectrum. Celebration is to celebrated: think New Year’s eve and firework displays from around the world. Lamentation is to be avoided. Are we are losing the vocabulary and capacity to express the range of emotions it involves? Consider Colin Brazier’s reflections written shortly after the death of his wife:

“At root, the modern funeral represents the privatisation of what, hitherto, was a public event. A funeral was one of the great punctuation marks in the life of a community. Open to all, imparting its lessons of Last Things to everyone, sharing a life story to a universal audience. But as soon as we start to treat funerals like a family ‘do’, where commemoration becomes a series of in-jokes or semi-private reflections, we close off the lives of others from that clear-eyed posthumous examination which only comes when their race is run. I am happy to leave it to the priest. It’s his gig. He will sum up my wife’s life, approaching that task not dispassionately, but at one step removed.

Then there’s the ‘celebration’ element. I have emailed friends and former colleagues with details of my wife’s funeral, politely asking them to leave their Hawaiian shirts and pink helium balloons at home. Black please, if you don’t mind. It’s unfair on children to insist that a funeral should mean rejoicing in a life now passed. Maybe grown-ups can handle the cognitive dissonance required in ‘celebrating’ a life rather than, you know, being all morbid. But I seriously doubt children can.” (Spectator 21 July 2018)

Colin views were reported in the English media and the reaction from the public suggests that he was onto something. He spoke about it very honestly and movingly on the radio.

When I was first forced to go to church as a schoolboy the part of the service I dreaded most was the weekly singing (perhaps not the right word) of a psalm. Boring does not begin to describe the experience. The language was archaic, the melody non-existent and the experience baffling. Fifty years later I increasingly appreciate and value the psalms and start to see why they formed the heart of both Jewish and Christian worship. They give us a window into the emotions of their authors and show us how they engaged with God. Some of them are celebrations (e.g. Ps 100). But a surprising number are lamentations: see for example Psalm 6. Here is Prof Ellen F Davis’s excellent short comments on this Psalm which say what I would like to say but much more elegantly than I could.

(This is taken from “Getting involved with God”).

From time to time each of us experience disappointment, grief, abandonment and despair– probably not to the extent that Jesus’ followers did on Easter Saturday but none the less in a real way.   As Ellen Davis shows, the Bible does not air brush these difficulties from its pages and nor should we. 

Thank God for Easter Sunday but in our thanking let’s not forget the reality of the day before and make time and space to acknowledge times when Easter Saturdays seem more real than the joy of Easter Sunday.

 

Marc Chagall, The Crucified, 1944

Reflections on Holocaust Memorial Day 2019

January 27, 2019 /

Marc Chagall, The Crucified, 1944 “One in 20 Britons does not believe Holocaust took place, poll finds”. (Observer leader from 27th January 2019). The full article contains statistics that give further pause for thought: “In France, 20% of those aged 18-34 said they had never heard of the Holocaust; in Austria the figure was 12%. A survey in the US last year found that 9% of millennials said they had not heard, or did not think they had heard, of the Holocaust”.

The musical Hamilton ends by asking the audience “Who tells your story”. There are plenty of people attempting to tell the story of the Holocaust, for e.g. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust who commissioned the poll upon which the Observer’s article was based and yet knowledge of the holocaust is gradually vanishing. I suspect one of the difficulties is that the enormity of crime is just too challenging to comprehend. Here are some resources which record what happened through the first-hand account of survivors and, in some cases, their ancestors:-

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. This remarkable book tells the story of a young Christian woman in Holland and her family’s unsuccessful attempt to shelter Jews and the way this shaped the family’s life after the war ended. The gratitude one feels for the courageous author is tinged with the unspoken question: why weren’t there more Corrie Ten Booms?

All Rivers Run to the Sea by Elie Wiesel (this autobiography is less graphic than his book ‘Night’).

 

 

 

 

 

The Lost: A Search for Six of Six Million by Daniel Mendelsohn. This is a very long book, a very carefully constructed account of the author’s search for his missing ancestors which involved his travelling through many continents. Occasional passages in this book are horribly and hauntingly graphic but this is not a gratuitous record of violence but a disturbing record none the less.  (It is worth buying a 2nd hand copy of the hardback version of this book as it contains photos of his family which are not reproduced in the paperback).

You Tube video of the cellist Anita Lasker-Wallfisch discussing her childhood and being liberated from Bergen-Belsen.

According to a report in The Independent[1] more than 100 antisemitic incidents are being recorded every month in Britain including children as young as 11 being physically attacked and graffiti on homes and synagogues.

Thoughts on this Holocaust Memorial Day:-

  • Jesus was a Jew. What are the implications of this for our attitude towards Jews?
  • What more could evangelical Christians be doing to build bridges with Jewish communities and shouldn’t this be a priority given rising hate crimes against Jews?
  • Anecdotal evidence suggests that knowledge of the Old Testament is dwindling, even among better educated evangelical Christians.  Jesus had an intimate knowledge of the Old Testament: He meditates on it, quotes it[2], expounds it and lives by it. Having been raised in a Jewish household I am grateful for the basic knowledge of God that a grounding in the Old Testament gave me (as a poor and very occasional pupil in the back row of Saturday school of synagogue).   No one would go to a play and expect to understand it on the basis of the last act alone, or to a film and seek to understand it after coming in for the last 20 minutes. So why would one think one can ignore the OT without losing out significantly on one’s understanding of the New Testament?
  • If we down play the Old Testament we not only rob ourselves of an understanding of the New Testament: we get closer to writing off the people of the Old Testament. Bad idea. God hasn’t and we shouldn’t. Better by far to remember them and not to forget the grievous injustice and crimes done against them.  Today, Holocaust Day, is a welcome opportunity to call to these to mind–lest we forget.

 

“To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” Elie Wiesel.

    1. July 26 2018 ↑

 

  1. See also https://carm.org/what-did-jesus-teach-about-old-testament ↑

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