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Author: Cody C. Lorance
Date: 16.12.2010
Category: Diasporas, Media and Communications
When I was recently, my focus was on answering the question, "Is this scattering a negative or a positive thing from a Biblical perspective?" My thinking is that when we do consider the phenomenon of diaspora, we tend to think of it as an essentially negative thing. The portraits we have of it in Scripture, like the Babylonian Exile or the Tower of Babel, seem only to be acts of judgment. But I am beginning to see that upon closer examination, while judgment is indeed an important factor to consider in understanding these events, the scattering itself is a basically good thing. Let me explain.
http://codylorance.blogspot.com/2010/12/is-global-human-diaspora-good-or-bad.html
Keywords: Genesis, Theology, Missiology
Views: 7238
Comments: 8
Recommendations: 0
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United States
I want to agree with the comment that the scattering of the people is more of a positive than negative. It is exactly true that one of God’s first commandments to man was to be fruitful and multiply, in other words, to scatter. We don’t realize that we must comfort zones. For instance, the Katrina victims have a great witness. God works in mysterious ways and it is true he does wonders we may not fully understand at the time.
17.10.2012
United States
Thank you for your thoughts on the subject of diaspora. As I read your blog and thought about your question, I found the question difficult to answer in terms of "good" and "bad." I think about the diaspora of the early believers found in Acts 8. This passage tells us that persecution broke out against the early church. Men and women were dragged away and placed into prison because of their faith in Christ. This lead to the church being scattered throughout the Roman world. The diaspora was very painful and difficult for the early Christians. However, it was because of this diaspora that the message of Christ reached Antioch and beyond. Instead of labeling the global human diaspora as good or bad, I would ask the question, "Is the global human diaspora fulfilling the purposes of God?" For that question, I would definitely answer, "yes." The current global diaspora is allowing the gospel to reach people that would have never otherwise heard the Good News. God is at work in the current global human diaspora.
07.12.2011
United States
From a biblical perspective disparora is a good thing. Disapora can aid in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Rachel
13.07.2011
United States
@ Rapture7:
Right and it started with Abraham when he left Ur and it continues today!
15.07.2011
United States
@ MzBoom:
Thanks for the comments. I would trace diaspora back before Abraham. The expultion from the Garden of Eden was a kind of diaspora. Of course the Babel account is one of the most famously referenced by diasporologists.
19.07.2011
United States
I agree that the scattering was a good thing. Israel was the nation chosen to deliver the Gospel to the world. They would not move beyond their borders. The way God’s plan was fulfilled was through the scattering of the nations, persecution of the church, and even now, through those same means.
15.07.2011
United States
@ wallison:
I agree scattering helps spread the gospel. It aids in the fulfilling of the Great Commision as well. If people do not start spreading te gospel. God has to scatter some folks.
Rachel
15.07.2011
United States
@ wallison:
Absolutely, the disciples eventually were scattered so that they would fulfill the Great Commission.
15.07.2011
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