Hosanna’s Help for Haiti
Feb 8th, 2010 | By Nathaniel Darnell | Category: Lead ArticlesThe earth shook. Within seconds hundreds turned into orphans, a corrupt government fell crippled, and the cries of millions of voices echoed across the face of the world.
How should Christians answer the cries of a desperate country such as Haiti?
As I write this, I am spending much of my Lord’s Day catching up on some of the exciting news that has been wired to us from Haiti. (For those of you who do not know, I am presently on sabbatical in St. Louis studying for a Bar Exam. Monday is Day 33 of my imprisonment.) Since I’ve been in seclusion studying, I haven’t been able to follow most of the reports trickling across the Gulf. Anyone who has been keeping up knows that the reports blare both joy and sorrow. My mind is racing. How may Christians apply the Great Commission as they respond to the need?
Haiti: An Opportunity to Fulfill the Great Commission
A week ago I had a friendly discussion with a room of Christian young people about the nature and purpose of the Great Commission described in Matthew 28:18-20. We observed a number of things about Jesus’ words. Most significantly, we noted that Jesus commanded that the Gospel was to go out not merely to individuals but to all nations, for the text says “Go ye therefore and teach all nations.” And what are we to teach all nations? Verse 20 tells us: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (emphasis added).
The “all things” Jesus speaks of here is the all things that He, the Incarnate Word (John 1:1-13) has taught from the beginning of time, going all the way back to the book of Genesis, through the Law, the Prophets, to the Apostles. Every command. Not only the teachings on salvation, but every teaching of the Word of God on every matter from salvation, to the church, to the family, to business, to politics and law, to art and culture. All things.
“I Challenge You to a Dualism!”
Oddly enough, however, many Christians today have been deceived into believing a modernly re-packaged spin on an old Greek philosophy called dualism. The idea goes that spiritual things are separate and distinct from physical or “secular” things—and the two should not mix. Under this viewpoint, Christians have no business bringing their religion into the social arena because theology is to be kept in the church building. Separation of “church” and everything else. I have committed my life to combatting this rebellious philosophy wherever it raises its devious scowl, starting with my own heart. It is the spirit of anti-Christ because it denies that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. (See Zechariah 6:5; Acts 10:36.) At the very preamble of Christ’s Great Commission He declared: “All power is given to me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Thus, Christ has authority to speak to all matters of life to all nations, and in His Word, He does just that.
Thus, when Christians spread the Gospel, they spread not only the hope of salvation from hell, but the hope of salvation from sin. A freedom from the dominion of sin over one’s life so that he can walk in “newness of life” as Romans 6:4 says. This salvation translates into restored marriages, and a return to modesty, sanitation, and order, among other things. Living out the Lordship of Christ in all we do. The lack of Christianity in Haiti has led to one of the most corrupt governments in the world dominating a blinded people, and now we are seeing the effect on missions and adoptions. The two are inseparable. The so-called “secular” things in life do have a direct impact on the “spiritual” things of life. Politics does have a direct impact on witnessing and discipleship. We are naive and deceived if we think otherwise.
A Good Example
Seeing my boss and mentor Doug Phillips articulate these principles on the ripped streets of Haiti was one of the proudest moments I have ever experienced while serving at Vision Forum (even though I am presently away from the action). I am grateful that he had the boldness, wisdom, and clarity of mind to take this stand while assisting the Christians there who have come to help. I am grateful that he had Phillip LeClerc there with him to broadcast these video reports for us over the last few weeks. The news has given us a a vision for a better future in Christian missions.
Rescue Haitis Children: The Great Commission In Haiti Leads to Cultural Reformation from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.
Also, meeting the material needs of orphans is just as religious as sharing the message of salvation. As James wrote, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27a). Some may think I am spreading a “Social Gospel,” wherein Christians are only active in politics and soup kitchens, but I am writing about a fully-orbed Gospel. A Gospel Christ Himself exemplified in His own early ministry wherein He healed the sick as well as taught on repentance, God, morality, law, and the family. He has called us to take up our cross and follow Him in this work.
I urge everyone who hasn’t yet to watch this report from Mr. Phillips and the many others that the Vision Forum team has produced. Pray for the Christians who are helping. Pray for the adoption of orphaned children into Christian homes for witnessing and discpleship. Send whatever resources the Lord leads you to share. Pray for the Lord to save and reform the nation of Haiti.
Dear Nathaniel,
I wish I were in your presence so I could hug your neck. Our Father has blessed you with a gift of communicating through the written word. Thank you for sharing with me!
I am continually encouraged by you. May the Lord bless you and open doors for you to lead other young men in boldness for His glory. Know that I am praying for you.
With Love in Christ our King,
Susan
Mrs. Disharoon,
Thank you for the Internet hug.
Your words are far too gracious, but encouraging. I hope these feeble words may stir many Christians to biblically-centered thought and action. You are a continual source of encouragement to me, and I am sure to the many who you bless with your thoughtful words across the world wide web. May our Lord Jesus always warm your heart, and may He provide for the children of Haiti through the kindness of His Church.
For the Lord of glory,
Nathaniel
The other day a friend asked me a question on this subject that I thought would be beneficial to many. After considering the things addressed in this post, he said: “But, Nathaniel, didn’t Jesus say, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’? (See John 18:36.) By saying that, wasn’t Jesus saying that His kingdom did not apply to politics, law, art, etc.?”
This is an excellent question, and a common misconception about this text.
When Jesus says, “My kingdom is not of this world,” He is not saying that His Kingdom does not encompass or have jurisdiction over this physical, material world, and its various “secular” aspects. What he is saying is that His Kingdom did not derive from this world. Its origin was not in this world. It does not derive its force as kingdoms originating in this world derive their force. It does not start by seeking to impose an order externally through force. An outside-in, top-down force. Jesus’ Kingdom is an inside-out, bottom-up force. (See Mark 9:34-35; Ephesians 5:15-6:18.) One that originates in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It’s interesting to note that at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry (Matthew 4:17), He would travel about Israel and proclaim, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” By that, He meant that soon God would begin to govern the kingdoms of this world just as He does the Kingdom of Heaven. There would be complete order under the authority of the Holy One. Interestingly, after Christ’s resurrection, He no longer says that the “kingdom of heaven is at hand” but “all power is given to me in heaven and in earth.” In other words, Jesus purchased the rights to govern earth as He does heaven, and now it is just a matter of implementation. (See Revelation 11:15.)
I hope that brings greater clarity to the hearts and minds of those pondering these valuable principles. Blessings!
Nathaniel
Dear Nathaniel,
I agree with the previous comments – you have been blessed with a gift to communicate marvelously through the written word. May God continue to refine your gift and use it for the advancement of His Kingdom.
To this day, over a year after the 2008 presidential elections, I have been following your blog. (See the archives of this blog from that time period if you don’t remember who I am.) I am away at college right now, and your blog is such a source of spiritual encouragement to me. I have been discovering more of the resources of Vision Forum and sharing them with my family (we recently bought and watched “The Mysterious Islands”) and with each discovery my heart grows more thankful toward the Lord for the ministry of you all. I love your commentary above because it echoes exactly what is in my heart.
I feel very frustrated right now, because I know Haiti is a golden opportunity to advance the Kingdom of God, and I feel so limited by not being able to minister much financially or at all physically. Perhaps this is the Lord’s method of teaching me to depend on Him through and to constantly wield the resource of prayer (I Thess. 5:17). Your blog post above has encouraged me by confirming for me that there are many brothers and sisters who God has called at this time to go down to Haiti right now and work for the Kingdom there.
God bless you, Nathaniel. Perhaps, if the Lord wills, we will meet in person some day.
~Your brother in Christ,
Aaron R.F. Cooper
Aaron,
Thank you for your note. I appreciate your frustration in not being able to do more to help with the need in Haiti now. Lord willing, we will have the opportunity in the future to serve the Lord in other fronts that are just as important for the Kingdom of God. So in the meantime we must be making ourselves ready, redeeming the time because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16) How you prepare yourself now will have a direct impact on how effective you are in the battles ahead. So don’t be discouraged, and stand fast.
I also hope we can meet face-to-face sometime. There’s much we could talk about. Blessings!
Nathaniel