From the Editor
Around the world, reports of protest are mounting. Six months ago, it was the Arab countries. But lately, unrest has begun to show up here in our corner of the globe. “Occupy Wall Street” is their banner. It started in New York City, but the protest has mushroomed way beyond the borders of New York. Crowds were tear-gassed in Madrid, Spain. Rioters in Athens, Greece, threw homemade gas bombs. Protesters in London, England, overturned cars. Riots and mass arrests have followed in various other cities such as Tokyo, Los Angeles, Chicago, and more.
So what’s everyone so upset about?
A hand-made protest sign held by a tattooed college student reads,
“Good morning, 1% ... We, the 99%, just woke up!” The protestors complain
that Corporate America, big business, rich executives, greedy stock exchange
practices, and even capitalism itself have led our country into financial
ruin. Their cry is actually nothing new—it is the age-old cry of inequity
and injustice. They complain that the vast majority of the wealth and opportunities
of this country are being locked up and controlled by a privileged 1% of
the population. As the representatives of the 99%, they feel that they would
like to reclaim their fair share of the pie.
Is this protest merely a passing fad? Perhaps. But whether these protests should fade out over the next few weeks or not, I think we should listen and be ready to give answers. I recently heard someone say that the growing gap between the really rich and the really poor is one of the most desperate moral questions of our time. However, while I’m impressed that the protestors have seemed to catch on that the root of the problem is actually “greed,” they still have not understood that the cure they seek is never going to be found in politics—certainly not from government handouts.
So what is the cure?
Do the teachings of Jesus have something to say to a scared, frustrated, paranoid, disillusioned generation? Of course they do, as they always have. Jesus’ teachings are timeless—the saving power of the Gospel still changes everything: body, soul, and spirit. To be sure, the cure will never be found in the politics of government-run-communism, political-socialism, or even American capitalism; but Jesus’ blood—His plan—and His teachings would fix everything.
However, we cannot be born of this world and understand these things. We must be born of God to “get it.” “Except a man be born again, he cannot see [understand] the kingdom of God.” Jn. 3:3 As I recently read, “If we really learned to love our neighbor as ourselves, then capitalism would be impossible, and Communism would be unnecessary.”
An awakened 99% of the population is a lot of people. But I wonder, what would happen if just 1% of the church suddenly woke up? What if we could say, “Good morning, 99% of the church. We, the 1%, just woke up!” Instead of marching on Wall Street, what if we Christians stormed heaven? What if instead of throwing gas bombs, we destroyed the sin of greed? As an awakened church, what if we could hold out hope instead of holding up signs? What if we would offer salvation in place of protest? What if we practiced true religion by actually putting into action real-life solutions for the world’s poor, in place of marching?
It brings to mind a famous quote President John F. Kennedy once made in a speech. He was supposedly quoting the poet Dante when he said, “The darkest parts of hell are reserved for those who, in a moment of moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.”
In a nation caught up in patriotism, militarism, and materialism, we must pray that God would purify any greed that may have grown in our own hearts, that we may truly shine forth the mind and will of Christ to the needs around us. Jesus is coming back—have we done all we can to fulfill His longing for this, our generation?
In this issue, we take a look at the life of Michael Sattler, well known for his part in the infancy of the Anabaptist revival. About 175 years later, the movement he helped jumpstart was facing a crisis, and Ulli Ammann provides some insights into handling church problems.
Other articles treat the new life in Christ, and the fruits thereof, including kindness and simple living ... and trust in God. Young readers should check out the two first articles, one for the young ladies and one for the young men. Be sure to check out the back cover, and the implications of that little phrase. May we all press into the kingdom!
~Bro. Dean
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