The Lausanne Global Conversation is on the World Wide Open Network
Author: Benjamin A. Kwashi
Date: 29.07.2010
Category: World Faiths
Editor’s Note: This Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper has been written by Benjamin A. Kwashi as an overview of the topic to be discussed at the Morning Plenary session on “Bearing Witness to the Love of Christ with People of Other Faiths.” Responses to this paper through the Lausanne Global Conversation will be fed back to the author and others to help shape their final presentations at the Congress.
INTRODUCTION
Romans 1: 16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith.’
In these two verses Paul encapsulates the central core of his theology and of his way of life. Remember that this remarkable man had been not just a non-Christian, but also a fanatical, militant activist, committed to the extermination of Christians and to the total eradication of their faith. After his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road, however, he was totally changed and his whole life was thereafter given not to eradicating, but to proclaiming the gospel. He became eager to preach to as many people as he could reach – including the Romans, the colonial overlords, despised and hated by many of his people. This was for Paul, as it is for many today, a task that needed courage. Paul, however, emphasises that he is not ashamed of the gospel (cf. Romans 10:11); rather, it is this gospel which has the power to change lives, and even to change prevailing circumstances. Paul speaks from personal experience: he knows how a person of another faith can be totally changed and transformed. The gospel is power – dynamite (the root of the word).
This power is the power of God working towards the salvation of everyone who believes. It is more than just preaching, more than just talking. It is not merely an announcement of the fact that salvation will take place one day. The gospel is itself a divine power leading to salvation; it leads to faith and action, to the restoration of lives, of communities, of the environment.
This salvation is available for all, of whatever tribe, race, nation or faith. Those who accept it are brought into a right relationship with God, and seek to uphold God’s standards, God’s way of living, and God’s righteousness in the world. This is the righteousness that produces holiness, truth and justice. Such righteousness, however, cannot be attained by keeping the law, but only by faith.
God created the heavens and the earth and all the people in it, and this means that peoples of all faiths and practices were also created by God. Still today, some have not had the chance to hear the gospel, some have heard but turned away, some do not even care. We, however, have heard the gospel and have committed ourselves to follow Christ. One of the many implications of this is that we must live together with all other brothers and sisters whom God has created – whether or not they believe in Him. As we recognise the fact that many do not believe in Jesus Christ, or hold to only a nominal or partial faith in him, so we must, in obedience to Christ, try to bring them to know, love and serve the One whom we are privileged to know as Lord and Master, Saviour and Redeemer. The power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ must be seen in our lives so that, even if we say nothing in words, peoples of other faiths will be challenged by our lives, and surprised by our perseverance.
There are three vital factors here of which we need to take note:
A. THE GOSPEL FOR THE WHOLE WORLD
At the foot of the cross there is no favouritism. Living for Christ is living for others, for all others. It is service delivery; it is missionary; it is a total dedication and commitment to Christ and to obeying him. If as Christians we desire to bring others to Christ, to establish the reign of truth and righteousness in society and finally to attain everlasting life, then the only way to live is to surrender to Christ, to die to self and live to serve others. This kind of life will spark revival in the family, bring transformation in the community, and renewal wherever such a servant of Jesus Christ is found. The missionaries of old are great examples of this. No matter what the opposition, no matter how fearsome the juju (1) looked, no matter how entrenched the tradition, no matter what the cost might be, they continued undeterred, living and teaching in such a way that people of all faiths or none might see the transforming effect of the gospel. The gospel was lived before the eyes of the entire world, young and old, rich and poor, men and women, people of any and every race and tongue, tribe and nation. The gospel is for all and we must dare to reach out to all.
B. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL
The gospel is powerful, as is demonstrated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By that single event we see the final defeat of Satan and all the powers of hell, of sin, of death and of evil. It is therefore no use at any point in life or time to submit or surrender to the devil because the devil and all his powers have been defeated by Jesus Christ. This is why the gospel is very powerful. However, we must note three things:
Here is the privilege and here is the cost of living in the power of the gospel.
C. THE ETERNAL EFFECT OF THE GOSPEL
The gospel calls for a decision that each person must make and such a decision will determine the eternal destination of that person. Such a decision, when made, must bring the believer’s life into conformity with the eternal truths of God, of his Son Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit. God’s word is truth, and every one of his righteous ordinances endures forever (Psalm 119:160).
Therefore anyone who receives and believes the gospel must speak the truth at all times, to all people, and must do so in love. To live in truth is also to insist on standing for justice for the oppressed and on giving justice to all people regardless of their race, religion, nationality or gender. It is significant that it is the gospel’s power that manifests God’s righteousness in us, and also empowers us to live righteous lives in such a manner that even unbelievers will acknowledge that righteousness is being practised by believers of the gospel. Those who do not believe the gospel understand very well when they see people practise righteousness and live in holiness.
To bear witness to the gospel in this way means dying to self and living for Christ. To live in this way is rewarding both here on earth and also eternally in heaven, whereas refusing to die to self has no reward on earth and no reward in heaven.
CONCLUSION
Those who carry the message of the gospel will not always be welcomed; there may be intimidation, humiliation and suffering. St. Paul knew all of these, but he refused to give up. He searched out people of all faiths: Jews, worshippers of pagan idols, and those who served an “unknown god”. Always, under all circumstances, his concern, his aim, his reason for living was to “press on” with this gospel (Philippians 3:12), the gospel which had so caught and transformed him, that he knew that no-one was beyond its power.
This is the power which has been given into our hands and into our hearts today. To bear witness
to the love of Christ with people of other faiths is not primarily a matter of academic debate, of round table discussion or even of media bombardment. It is simply living the gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, day in and day out, in such a way that others see, are challenged, and are surprised.
This is so because whenever and wherever the gospel is truly lived, it MUST bring change in behaviour, etiquette and character; it must bring change in health, in the environment, in education and in the economy; it must bring progress and development to people and take the lead in community life and conduct for peace and justice. The Gospel alone has the capacity to draw people of every race, tribe and nationality to live in peace and to work together in harmony for the good of all. The gospel – if it truly is the gospel that is being proclaimed – will assuredly bring life, light and growth; because of the gospel, structures will be developed for the building of life together in communities and for the care of the environment; and at the same time, the power of the gospel will militate against all forms of dehumanization or degradation.
This is not something in which bishops and priests alone are to be involved! It is God’s call to all Christians, young and old, educated and illiterate, rich and poor – all are called to live transformed and transforming lives, captivated, enabled, and constantly spurred on by the power of the gospel. The road may seem rough, the results may sometimes seem small, but one day, maybe years later, a new day will dawn and someone will say: Yes, Christ was here! Let us too rise and follow!
© The Lausanne Movement 2010
Keywords: Gospel, power, salvation, righteousness, witness, change, transformed, faiths, cross, surrender
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Comments: 39
Recommendations: 3
Conversation Post Comment
United States
This is a very applicable discussion regarding the roles of Christians in the twenty-first century. We must be diligent in our continual presentation of the Gospel message, not only in our speech, but also in our actions, and daily lives. This is probably the most important area and the most often overlooked. Our lives must be the example, as they are often the only Gospel that many will ever hear. At the very least, they are the first impression of the Gospel that people are introduced to. Therefore, our lives are representations of Christ and must be representations that invite people to want to know more about Christ. This requires wisdom on our part, that must be seasoned with prayer and discipleship.
23.11.2012
United States
I appreciate this article and knows that having a right relationship will God can carry one through obstacles and hurdles. God has a purpose and plan for all humanity. He is simply encouaging humankind to open up and let him come in. It is my belief that in the diaspora, the scattering of God’s people, God realized that there would be challenges that confronts humankind. Its curious to know how we as humans will handle the challenges. I have found that listening never hurts anyone. It is when we listen to others stories, that we can see God at work in the lives on humanity. There are those who refuse to retain God in their learning, and that’s their choice, but for me and my house we will serve the true and living God. We will get the message out that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believieth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life". I believe and hope that others will believe as I share my faith with other faiths. God bless you.
Reggie
10.07.2011
United States
@ triedstone1009:
I beleive that the plan of God to spread the gospel started with scatering the people, knowing they would be peracuted and forced further away, people need to understand if we take the gospel to oothers the gospel will stand on its own.
29.04.2012
United States
Beautiful article. It resounds with the deep truths of the gospel, clothed in hope and carried joyfully by people who, like Paul, have itchy feet. May the Holy Spirit so energize our interactions at Cape Town, that we will leave there with a determination to recruit, train, equip and release a might army of disciple-makers who also have itchy feet. Who can stop, with such a story to tell?
16.10.2010
Norway
I like what I read, but I would liked even more that you would have said more - much more - about the Christian faith in the meeting with other faiths. On the one hand, I have looked for something on ’dialogue with other living faiths’ in a multi-religious world. On the other hand, I had hoped you would have lifted up and discussed the key issue of ’the uniqueness of Christ’. There is a sore need for us Evangelicals to deal afresh with theologies of religion. This, I believe, will be the primary issue for mission in the 21st century.
Knud Jørgensen
14.10.2010
United States
@ Knud_Jorgensen:
What do you mean by "other living faiths." Do you sincerely believe there are "living faiths" other than Christianity?
14.10.2010
Norway
@ Joseph_Paul_Cadariu:
’Living faiths’ is the term often used when talkig about theologies of religions (living faiths). It acknowledges that the faiths of others are for real in their lives just as the faith in Christ is real in our lives. So it reflects respect in our meeting and dialogue with others. Such respect is in my view vitally important if we want to be part of a dialogue where we can witness (martyria) to the risen Lord.
15.10.2010
United States
if the gospel has impacted us that much why havent we fix problem in social justice and hunger? why arent we doing more to transform the world?
13.10.2010
United States
i am so happy that i read this article it change the way i looked at the gospel and the way that i look at my life.
13.10.2010
Italy
Thank you for such a wonderful reminder of the unique power of the gospel!
13.10.2010
Ghana
That was a great presentation. Every child of God must live as an example of Christ wherever we are. People must see truth when they see us!
13.10.2010
United States
Thank you for this stirring and significant reminder. I particularly resonate with what you’ve written about speaking the truth and all times and the call to effort.
I do however want to humbly question your inclusion of the term "etiquette" in a list of things that "must" be changed by the gospel. Everything else on the list makes sense to me--behavior, health, character, etc (etiquette also makes sense if it is understood in a very broad sense). Since "etiquette" normally refers to cultural conventions, customs, how to fold your napkin, which hand one should eat with, whether or not shoes may be worn inside the house, and the like; I would like to suggest caution and careful explanation of exactly what is meant by how the gospel impacts this. I have seen that it is far too easy to create a false gospel around issues of cultural conformity/non-conformity and reduce being a "true" follower of Jesus to a matter of whether or not you wear a hijab, adorn yourself with a bindi, change your name to Mary, eat beef, or preach standing up.
12.10.2010
United States
I agree with the comment below. Too often, the spreading of the gospel is seen as a one time or short term transactional event which often does, in fact, lead to ’decisions’ but not frequently ’transformation.’ The gospel is capable of bringing whole life transformation to the soul and to society and to seek to express that message as a mere transaction is to demonstrate one’s lack of confidence in its power and the power of the One behind the message. Unfortunately, all too often it is my tribe, the tribe of evangelists, that are most guilty of this act. Thanks for this concise and simple articulation of the power of the gospel!
R. York Moore
National Evangelist, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA
12.10.2010
Malaysia
I think one of the reason why we have shallow Christianity is that we see the sharing of the gospel as a one-time event that secure the individual salvation. As a result, we are producing "sub-way" Christian whose Christian journey is akin to taking a MTR (Mass Transit Railway) which moves underground until it emerges above the ground again at the destination. Thank you for reminding us agaun the power of the Gospel that transform life and its implication upon our daily living among the people.
10.10.2010
United States
I love it! The Gospel is Jesus! We must preach this to ourselves first everyday and then to others by words and life.
17.09.2010
Mexico
@ kshalhoub:
This is very true!
07.10.2010
Mexico
This is a great paper, thanks for sharing it.
I think, Christians today, we are affraid of sharing the gospel to every person and nation, including people who do not believe in Jesus, we are affraid because we have lost the experiencie that gospel is God’s power for salvation.
It’s very remarkable how you say we will suffer because of the gospel. May God let us be falthful to His commandment.
07.10.2010
United States
Bishop Ben’s paper is excellent: the Gospel is the POWER to change lives. It is available to all - but in context I believe that Paul in Romans 1:16 does point to an emphasis: "to the Jew first" This is a people group which has suffered much at the hands of those who called themselves Christians. In spite of that, many Jewish people are hearing the Gospel and receiving Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew) as their Messiah and Lord in our day. Charles Simeon, the great English evangelical of the early 19th century, asked the question: Is the key to world evangelization Jewish evangelism? Perhaps the Church should consider the question again. Theresa Newell, DMin/ USA
07.10.2010
Mexico
Cuan cierto y cuan importante es recordar y llevar a cabo lo que menciona en el punto 1 del inciso B. El poder del evangelio; en donde comenta que debe ser un esfuerzo de compartir la palabra hasta que sea aprendida, aceptada y obedecida.
Muchas veces nos quedamos en el primer punto y quiza en el segundo, donde la palabra solo e aceptada, pero muy pocas veces llevamos a cabo el discipulado que lleva a las personas a obedecer y vivir el mensaje en su plenitud.
05.10.2010
France
I fully agree with the weight the author puts on ’living’ the Gospel, so that it can be seen in lives. Nevertheless, I have just a fear: that it could be interpreted (even if not consciously meant) that we are to give the perfect image of the perfect christian to share the Gospel. Is it not also in the way we honestly deal with our failures (where we fall short to meet the christian life) that something of the kingdom of God is revealed? I fear too much christian unconsciously see evangelism as ’the good’ teaching ’the bad’. The quality of humility has to be enhanced and detailed to avoid this trick!
05.10.2010
Malaysia
As Amos Yong would challenge us, we need to have a theology of hospitality.
02.10.2010
Canada
I was inspired by this paper. I always find it interested how God brings about a message in various ways. Your paper is the third instance where I have encountered the idea of the power of the gospel and how I am going to use it and be challenged by it.
First was the message on Sunday where the pastor challenged us to think if we’d die protecting the Bible, if we read it without fail everyday and if it is transforming our lives because we are so enthralled with it. The idea of this was something that has been sticking with me; which I know, but don’t always act upon.
The second was after watching a movie where a people group believed that they should never give up and never surrender, even if that meant death. They believed so strongly in the idea of freedom that they were not willing to compromise. This idea also struck me, I transferred it to the idea of the gospel message – do I believe it so much that I will not give up and not surrender to anything but the gospel message, which may mean death? I would like to say I would die for the message, but I’m not sure, I don’t want to compromise or surrender anything that would nullify the message.
I was most encouraged by the beginning of the paper. To be reminded of Paul, where he comes from, who he was and how much he hated Christians and the message to the point of taking lives and through the transformation of the gospel put his own life on the line to make sure that anyone and everyone heard the gospel.
To believe in the transformation and live the transformed life is not enough. We must bring the message to people. Our actions will confirm the transformed life, but we must speak of the gospel in order for people to understand this is where the transformation occurs.
I read the book Crazy Love this summer and there was one section that has stuck with me and that I am still grappling with. “We are consumed by safety, Obsessed with it, actually. Now, I’m not saying it is wrong to pray for God’s protection, but I am questioning how we’ve made safety our highest priority. We’ve elevated safety to the neglect of whatever God’s best is, whatever would bring God the most glory, or whatever would accomplish His purposes in our lives and in the world. Would you be willing to pray this prayer? God, bring me closer to You during this trip, whatever it takes… People who are obsessed people care more about God’s kingdom coming to this earth than their own lives being shielded from pain or distress.” (p.133 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan)
I see a correlation with bringing the gospel message to all people. It is something I desire and am working through, for I know that I fear the pain that risk can bring. It is something I know God will work through and can still use me even though I carry this at this time.
29.09.2010
Nigeria
It’s not really very difficult to understand, is it? As Bishop Kwashi writes, “To bear witness to the love of Christ with people of other faiths… is simply living the gospel of Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, day in and day out, in such a way that others see, are challenged, and are surprised.”
And what about when the “simplicity” of this witness is tested in the furnace of religion-fueled violence as happened in Jos (Nigeria) in early 2010? Again, in the words of Bishop Kwashi, “We deeply regret (the violence and loss). Yet we rejoice that the gospel has not lost its power to save. God is still on the throne and evil will never, ever, have victory over good. We have a gospel to proclaim, and it is this gospel which holds the solution and remedy for the mayhem, bitterness, anger, frustration and sheer evil which leads to the ruin of individual lives and the ruin which we see all around us in Jos now.” (for full “Speaking Out” article see http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/januaryweb-only/14-21.0.html)
Thank you for your courageous testimony to the power of the gospel, and your authentic Christian witness. We will be blessed and inspired as you share your paper and testimony on Wednesday morning.
28.09.2010
Australia
Thanks Benjamin--great thoughts on the importance of our call to preach the gospel to all nations.
It would be nice to see this dialogue tie in more with the focus of session 1, being pluralism. Few would deny the call (at least in principle!--practice is more costly!) to take the gospel to all peoples. A lot is at stake. But how do we commend Christ when many cultures we reach have already some concept of Christ--albeit tainted and confused--and are quite possibly unsure of how to ’choose’ between competing claims. The nature of truth, and how to preach Christ in a pluralistic world is crucial for this discussion.
Obviously Paul in Acts 17 is a rich model ... what in the religion/culture can I commend, or must I challenge, in light of the Kingdom? And what gospel bridges and barriers facilitate or bar movement toward Christ. I’d love to hear of the specifics related to the particular group you spend most of your time trying to reach--that would help me ground the rich themes in your paper.
Thanks for setting out a solid frame for further discussion.
27.09.2010
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