There is a question in the discussion of religious thought about what happens to those who have never heard of the saving message of Jesus. The answer is critical to any missionary enterprise. Chambers hits it obliquely and seems to create a defense of not sending missionaries at all. He doesn’t because his discussion isn’t complete, but his discussion of sin is very interesting.
In Romans, Paul addresses this question head-on. As a missionary, he has a vested interest in defending what has become the enterprise of his whole life. Chambers refers to a portion of this discussion in Romans 5:12. Paul is using a compare and contrast between Jesus and Adam to make his point about the problem with humanity and the solution Jesus provides.
So, how does Chambers define sin? He says, “The disposition of sin is not immorality and wrong-doing, but the disposition of self-realization - I am my own god.” Once upon a time in my not-so-distant past, I was all excited about what I believe is the central theme of all of Scripture. I believe that all of Scripture (and therefore all of this life) is “School” and we are all being educated on the difference between life and death. The definitions seem easy, except that I don’t believe they are physical events. I believe life and death only have meaning on a relational level, and especially in the relationship with my Master.
So, what? Well I think that Chambers and I are together on one point, though my describe it differently. I believe that it is theoretically possible for someone to seek the Creator of the cosmos without having heard of Jesus. And that someone like that would be saved. I say “theoretically” because it’s an argument from silence, and is impossible to test, and, therefore prove (nice argument to have until someone point that out). Paul says people are without excuse precisely because the cosmos declares the existence of the Creator, but he also says that no one seeks the Creator and people are satisfied worshipping the creation instead.
But if Chambers is right in his definition, then his definition supports a “theoretical” situation like mine. In fact, Chambers says that God does not hold us guilty of the disposition toward sin (self-realization), but of rejecting Jesus as the solution. That would mean telling others of Jesus would suddenly make them culpable before the Creator. There is more to the belief, I assure you. Yes, at the point the specific choice is presented, the choice, once made, decides eternity. But the opportunity only provides a new option where before there was only one. Without the missionary effort, the cosmos will only descend into deeper darkness swallowing any potential random isolated lights.
So, when I keep my life (my relationship with my Master) to myself claiming that is is my business, I rob my community. I rob my community of faith, and I rob my community of those without such a relationship. When I claim that my relationship with my Master is my business I sin by claiming that self-realization that puts me on the throne reserved for my Master. I refuse to obey and serve when I do that. My relationship with my Master is not my business precisely because it is not mine, but His. He started it, He reached out to me, He chose me, and He is the One making it possible to maintain. How can that be my business? I deny my Master’s claim on my life when I refuse to disclose that relationship to my community.
I know where I need to change. I need to develop the practice of referring to my Master in conversation. I need to become known for that. My references to Him should become just the normal way I refer to elements of my life. Right now that would sound forced and canned. It would take time for such a practice to become natural. I need to spend that time, and adopt that practice. If I am not a sign pointing to my Master, then my life and my relationship with Him is a waste. Remember, I claim to believe that life is defined by relationship, especially with my Master. So then why would I not want others around me to live as well? Why would I let a community remain dead? All it would take is a change in my normal behavior, and then I could be a catalyst for others to have life. Right now, I have little to no effect what so ever.
No comments:
Post a Comment