In recent weeks, I (Craig – sorry, you’re stuck with me again) have
graciously been granted a first-hand glimpse into the workings of our great
God.
Those who know me will be aware that I enjoy setting myself targets
now and again, in the hope of infusing my ever-hastening days with structure
and purpose. During our time away in 2014, I managed to pick up a cut-price
copy of Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, which has already established
itself as something of a classic in evangelical scholarship since its
publication in 1997 (it’s also a bit of a doorstopper – handily for us, this
version was in a digital format). Bearing in mind the relative lack of
in-service training opportunities available to us out here, I resolved to study
one chapter every Sunday afternoon upon returning to Bolivia. Thus far, I have
barely dipped my toe into the first major section, on the word of God, but I
already feel greatly enriched for the study.
Grudem’s work transcends the academic in its endeavour to apply
Christian doctrine to the life of the reader and with this in mind, each
chapter closes with a series of questions for personal application. A couple of
weeks back, I noticed that, not for the first time, there was a question about
how the particular doctrine of that week might challenge the teachings of the
Jehovah’s Witnesses; perhaps Grudem has previous in this area. And not for the
first time, I felt unequipped to answer the question. To the best of my
knowledge, at no point in my life had I had any engagement with a Jehovah’s
Witness, and (probably as a result) I’d never really taken the time to study
their teachings and see how they measure up with Scripture.
Having been forced to skip a JW-related question for the second week
running, I felt this was perhaps a little prompting from the Lord to venture
down this particular rabbit-hole. Not that I was motivated by a mere lack of
ability to answer homework questions. I knew fine well that I could hardly
engage such people without having first gotten to grips with the tenets of
their faith. And this would potentially be of even greater benefit here in this
corner of Bolivia, where the Jehovah’s Witnesses are more visible than back in
the UK – not that I had yet had an opportunity to converse with one.
And so, I spent some time the following day doing some research into
the beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, in the process learning more about the
reasoning for their reading of the 144,000 in Revelation, the various
day-and-date proclamations of the world’s end, and the sharply contrasting
claims (with us evangelicals) as to the divinity of Jesus. I wasn’t exactly
ready to write a PhD on the topic, but I certainly had a better understanding
as to where they were coming from – though, if anything, I was all the more
perplexed as to why anyone with half a brain would give it all more than a
moment’s thought. In any case, I would be prepared to engage a Jehovah’s
Witness on these issues if and when an opportunity arose.
Five days later, seemingly unrelated circumstances were taking
place. I was enjoying lunch with Amanda, not so much for the food as simply the
opportunity to relax for the first time last Saturday, having attended the
monthly 6am joint pastors’/leaders’ meeting before setting off on the odyssey
that is the Saturday Morning Shop (stepping in so that Amanda could write last
week’s blog entry). But I knew that I had better make the most of my plate of
pasta. In mid-afternoon, I was scheduled to attend the weekly church music
group’s practice, with the youth group to follow. But seeming light years ago,
when energy levels were sky-high (i.e., Tuesday) I’d pencilled in another
appointment for Saturday afternoon: a visit to the hospital, where FT’s former
patient Hernán, the 19-year-old quadriplegic, had recently been transferred.
One morning at the Foundation, I paid Hernán a brief visit to read
Scripture and pray with him. He mentioned that he really loved films and I
suggested I could maybe come round with a DVD. I never quite got round to this
when he was with us at the Foundation, so I felt it was only correct that I
right this wrong – hence my pledge to come and visit last Saturday.
And so, I made my way to the hospital, but practically running on
empty. I resolved in the car that I’d just watch half of the film with him and
come back the next weekend (i.e., today) to watch the remainder.
But, as it happens, we both rather got into the film in question,
and I thought to myself, “I have time, I might as well stay till the end”. But
we didn’t quite get there.
About three-quarters of the way through the film, a medical team
came to carry out a routine check-up, and so, to give Hernán and his mother some privacy,
I stepped outside into the corridor, only to feel a
pamphlet being thrust into my open hand and unwittingly open the door for the
very first time in my 32-and-a-half years to…
…a Jehovah’s Witness!
This, surely, was providence writ large. And so I politely declined
the copy of the Watchtower, explained that I was a follower of Jesus Christ and
(unfortunately for Hernán,
it must be said!) spent the next half hour in
discussion with the woman in question and her friend, taking them to verses in
Scripture that clearly contradict the teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. I
take no pride whatsoever in saying that they were unable to give satisfactory
explanations; their general reaction consisted in their presenting verses to me
with total disregard for their context and for biblical genres (a particular
favourite was Daniel 2:44 – yet when I asked the women what the overall ‘story’
of Daniel 2 was, they could not tell me).
The discussion ended, unfortunately, with the women walking away
while refusing to answer my latest question (one of them, a tad cheekily, explained
to me that my being a non-native Spanish speaker was a contributing factor to
my inability to understand the New World Translation!). But in the meantime,
perhaps sensing the tension, ‘a crowd had gathered’. And for another half-an-hour, I held something
of an impromptu Bible study with some of the onlookers, to expose the false
teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and point them in the way of Biblical truth
as to the person of Jesus and the end times. Alas, at 6:20pm, I realised the
youth group meeting was just 40 minutes away, and I would have to take my leave
of these people and, of course, Hernán (turns out we’ll be finishing the film
today after all).
The spring in my step as I dashed to the car was Super Mario-like.
My one slight regret was that the discussion with the Jehovah’s Witnesses
themselves ended so abruptly – I do hope that it was not down to any aggression
on my part (I did try really hard to keep my emotions in check!). But, overall,
I was simply in renewed awe of ‘the depth of the riches of the wisdom and
knowledge of God’ (Romans 11:23).
A few key lessons have hit home as I have
digested these occurrences; I do believe they are of universal application.
1.
This chain of events was set in motion only
when I became aware of my limitations. If I hadn’t studied these topics a few days earlier, I would have had
little to go on in exposing the false gospel of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. But
this study only arose out of a deep sense of ignorance on my part. Surely this
conviction was of God, and he used it to bring glory to himself.
2.
‘Nothing in my hand I bring’. 95% of me on Saturday afternoon was saying
‘stay at home, get some rest, Hernán will understand.’ I
cannot take a modicum of credit for what happened. It was all of God.
3.
The ‘part of pain and pleasure’ of recent weeks could only be fully
understood at a later juncture. I sat down to study
these matters in the hope that they might be of use some distant day in the
future; God, meanwhile, had other plans, determining to throw me in the deep
end that very week! More profoundly, what of Hernán’s circumstances, which have
been documented here over the past couple of weeks? Naturally, as a church,
while endeavouring to care for him as best we can, it has nonetheless been
tough to have a ring-side seat on such suffering and trust that there is a
purpose. It is certainly not my place to make sweeping pronouncements regarding
such a sensitive topic. All I know is that, occasioned by Hernán’s situation,
Saturday was my first proper visit to Trinidad’s hospital, and unbeknownst to
me, God had a little missionary work lined up in its corridors.
Prayer
- Today’s entry was written
yesterday – if you can get your heads round that – as this morning we’re off
with the youth group to the local lake resort for a morning of fellowship.
It'll mostly be a time of relaxation, but one of the leaders will also be
showing them how to share the gospel using balloons! Pray for safety and for
listening ears during the talk.
- We have had one of those weeks
in the house in which the proverbial rain has been of the ‘pouring’ variety.
Just one thing after another to be fixed. Pray for patience and for provision
to meet these costs.
Praise
- We had another really
encouraging meeting of the men’s group last night. We’re beginning a Bible
study using the film ‘Courageous’. Film-buff that he is, Craig would not
readily admit to usually enjoying Christian movies (speaking of Daniel, would it be
overly-spiritual to say they have been artistically ‘found wanting’?)! However,
as a teaching aid, it’s excellent, with themes applicable to men across all
cultures, particularly touching on the responsibility for male Christian
leadership at home.
- Amanda was in need of a little
mending herself over the weekend, coming down with a 48-hour stomach bug not
long after she finished putting pen to paper on the blog (ominous!). Give
thanks for a full recovery.
¡Que Dios les bendiga!
Craig & Amanda
