Some of you may die, but…
Dear Australia
Certain Christians stand against Euthanasia - sometimes by protest.
Do we protest Euthanasia to make an ordeal about the issue? No.
Do we protest Euthanasia to look different to the world around us? No.
We protest, because the King we follow is the Giver of Life, makes life sacred, and resolves the problem of death, because death is a problem not to be sought.
Certain Christians stand against abortion - sometimes by protest.
Do we protest abortion to make an ordeal? No.
Do we protest abortion to look different? No.
We protest, because the King we follow makes life sacred and resolves death, because death is a problem.
Certain Christians stand against law enforced Covid-19 lockdowns - sometimes by protest.
Do we protest lockdown to make an ordeal? No.
Do we protest lockdown to look different? No.
We protest, because the King we follow makes life sacred and resolves death, because death is a… - Wait. What?
One of these things is not like the others.
The King who makes life, makes life sacred, and willingly sacrifices his very life to defeat death. Perhaps we, too, could willingly sacrifice previously underappreciated niceties to participate in defeating death.
Which is more important – getting more stuff from the mall, or stopping people from dying? Joining a crowd of over 100 disciples to sing to the King of Life, or stopping people from dying?
Perhaps our secular governments are more interested in keeping life sacred and defeating death than some of our Churches seem to be.
So I have to ask: Why the protest?
Do we not know that the New Testament Church was an eclectic collection of tiny gatherings socially distanced throughout Roman cities? Do we not know that Christian’s don’t go to Church, we are the Church?
Wherever we are – house, wedding, boat… by whatever way – table, couch, garden… we are the Church and that will not change.
We don’t have to join 1000 people in an industrial building to be Church. A half empty living room of disciples is also Church.
So I have to ask: Why the protest?
What is it that we gain during our Sunday service that isn’t actually Church? If Church can be a half empty living room of disciples, what is it about the Sunday service that we desire? But if such desired aspects of the Sunday service can’t fit into a living room, then are they actually Church?
I have my doubts that such features are more valuable than stopping people from dying.
So I have to ask: Why the protest?
Perhaps we have become too attached to the sorts of ideologies that stem from the Westernised church we dwell in, over ideologies that stem from The Source of the Church. Western ideologies such as big is better, economies of scale is better, financial opportunity is better, keeping up with the celebs on the stage is better.
Becoming too out of touch with the average citizen, and too distinctive, is too risky.
Why the protest?
I think I get it now. Some of you may die, but that is a sacrifice I am willing to make?
A better protest:
I am willing to sacrifice, so that others don’t die. Because the King we follow is the Giver of Life, makes life sacred, and resolves the problem of death, because death is a problem not to be sought.
A quote from a certain Christian:
If we intend to act against the New Testament command, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans chapter 13, verse 1), we better have darn good reason to do so.
To increase the likelihood of vulnerable people dying, just isn’t a very good one. Stay home.
Love,
New Zealand
Andrew Hill is a true-blue Kiwi, born and reared in Aotearoa New Zealand. He has lived between Auckland, Dunedin and Hamilton, chasing his passion: Knowing God. Andrew has studied theology through various institutions, served as a Youth Pastor and as an Associated Pastor at a couple of Baptist Churches, and currently spends time with people with disabilities as a Community Support Worker through Spectrum Care. Andrew has just finished writing his first novel which he intends to publish shortly, and for fun, live streams on twitch.tv @theophilus_nz.
Andrew’s previous articles may be viewed at https://www.christiantoday.com.au/by/andrew-hill