This month I would like to touch on three subjects quite briefly.
ISIS is Islam
Many of you will know that last year in June I hosted
Dr Mark Durie on a NZ tour called Understanding
Islam. We had a very good response, and it generated a lot of interest as
you would expect. Mark is a highly recognised western expert on Islam.
Since the tour we have seen so many more ISIS-inspired
terrorist acts of violence around the
world. When the perpetrators are tracked, almost without exception, they can be
traced to Islam. To say that these acts of violence are not perpetrated by
Islam is simply
not true. It is
widely agreed that ISIS is Islamic
… full
stop. However, what I am not saying is that all Muslim's are terrorists—not even
close. In fact most Muslims, from what I can gather, want to distance
themselves from these acts of violence, even though their sacred texts teach
violence of the worst kind which, of course, is a major conundrum for them. I am hearing and
reading so many cool stories of Muslims coming to Faith in Christ in
Auckland and around the world, especially Iran.
I am currently praying and thinking about what WillowNZ
might do as another contribution in this space. If you have any thoughts,
I would be glad to hear from you. It's an issue that will not go away and by all accounts
will only get worse, and therefore we need to get to grips with it.
Climate Change
Many Christians, and especially Christian leaders, I have
noticed are not believers of man-made climate change. When I ask … very politely of course … what and whom they have read on this
subject, it usually amounts to not that much.
Last week on Wednesday, a small group of Christian
leaders in Hamilton were privileged to hear Dr Rob Bell, a principal
scientist from NIWA, give us a superb briefing on this topic in one hour.
Personally, I found this incredibly interesting and at the same time very
disturbing. What are we doing to the planet, and in what condition will my
grandchildren inherit this wonderful creation of God?
At current projections (which are different to predictions) it is
not looking very good at all. Rob reminded us we can all do something as
stewards of the good earth.
Pastor, how 'Green' is your theology? Please
note: I am in no way suggesting Christians should ‘vote Green’.
Rob has worked in this area for 35 years—written,
spoken and advised people in high places both in NZ and internationally.
Rob and I are talking about how we might brief other Christian leaders and
indeed Christians in general going forward. I believe this is one of a number
of hot issues of our day, and we at WillowNZ would like to contribute to this discussion within our
new stream of content called Willow Academy.
Colin Craig
"Our relationship became close
and affectionate … I considered Rachel to be like a sister to me … I accept my
affection went too far
… my behaviour was inappropriate, I regret that". Colin's
own words said in court by him on Thursday last week.
I do not want to throw the first stone, or any stone for
that matter, as I know so many other Christian leaders, and Christians in
general, have done the same as Colin or worse—sometimes much worse—and it has
never been made public. Because, sadly, this case is public (very public,
unfortunately) we can, and probably should, talk about it.
Before all else, this is a very sad situation. It's sad for
everyone involved (directly and indirectly) and it's another
very sad day for our witness as Christians. I grieve over this as we are
having a tough enough job as it is. It certainly, in my view, marks the end of
'Christian-based’ political parties for a very long time which … (taking a risk here) … may not
be such a bad thing actually.
The big learning, of course, is how to ensure it doesn't
happen to me or any of you, my colleagues and friends, in pastoral leadership. We have read
the books, some of us have confessed our struggles in accountability groups,
and we have repented before God when we inadvertently strayed off
course.
For me, about 37 years ago, I committed myself to
become a Proverbs 5
man, specifically verses 15-19. With Jeanette's help it
has enabled me to stay on track even when things were not going all
that well at times. Secondly, I think the following thoughts often.
"If I mess up sexually, I will do so much damage. I will hurt Jeanette, my marriage, my children,
my grandchildren, my ministry, my credibility, and my testimony. This is a
price that is far too high to pay for crossing a line I should not cross …
not ever. So I have established very clear and strong boundaries. I hope and pray that
they will continue to serve me well into the future. I hope the same
for you.
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