An Obadiah Slope column about a week’s reading and musings
Exclusive story: The New Statesmen has a personal account of life in the Exclusive Brethren – a cult run from Australia. Obadiah has a continuing interest in them – as a teenager, he helped a family leave.
“To some, life in the Brethren might seem a conservative idyll. The family unit and the raising of children are central. The divorce rate is negligible, and children live at home until they are married. Homosexuality is not permitted, nor is abortion (as is the case in many Christian denominations); most members use natural methods of contraception. Private education and healthcare are provided. The elderly are cared for at home; poverty is rare. It is unusual for women to work after marriage, and for men, well-paid employment is almost guaranteed in Brethren-run businesses. The Church provides financial assistance to young members to buy homes.
But governing all this is what the Brethren call the “doctrine of separation”. For nearly 200 years, members have lived by a literal interpretation of Bible verses such as 2 Timothy 2.19 (“Let everyone who names the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity”), dividing themselves from the perceived evil of the world. Outsiders are known as “worldlies”. At its most extreme, separation means that when a member leaves or is “withdrawn from” (excommunicated), those who remain will not eat, speak or live with them.”
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Revolution remembered: “Wee Flea” David Robertson is writing weekly articles again after a pause. Obadiah likes the way Robertson, a Scot translated to Sydney, appreciates a wide range of gospel movements – his Scottish experience means he welcomes all who bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus – as he comes from a land where many churches have forgotten that’s their mission. So he, a Presbyterian, writes generously about the Jesus Revolution movie and the founders of the Calvary Chapel and Vineyard church movements.
“In the movie, Greg’s [Laurie, a converted hippie] girlfriend (now wife) Cathe cites Allen Ginsberg, ‘What if there is no truth, what if there are just different points of view?’ Before, we then go on to a scene where Timothy Leary preaches about the search for truth, and then stating, ‘turn on, tune in and drop out … you define God as best you can’.
“How do we show love and acceptance of people while not affirming the sins of our culture? At one point, Chuck Smith tells the hippies in his congregation, ‘If you feel like an outcast, join us here. If you feel you are misunderstood and judged, this is where you belong. If you feel ashamed or trapped in something you have done or are doing, you will find forgiveness and freedom right here.’
“The Jesus Movement peaked in 1972, but its effects are still with us today. There are over 1,000 Calvary Chapel churches, Greg Laurie’s Harvest church continues to have a significant worldwide ministry, and the Vineyard movement has had a major influence on the charismatic Church.”
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Not true downunder: Obadiah wakes some mornings and prays, “Thank God, I am not an American.” Sometimes. And reading the news from Relevant magazine that “A new study from Lifeway Research reveals that 76 per cent of Christians now believe God wants them to prosper financially,” might make him pray that more often. “That number rises among younger generations, with 81 per cent of churchgoers between the ages of 18 to 34 and 85 per cent of churchgoers 35-49 holding onto that belief,” Relevant goes on.
In fairness, they quote Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research (a Southern Baptist-owned company, describing “the heretical belief that material blessings are earned from God.”
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Xeet (what used to be a tweet):
Obadiah is inclined to give a pass to Mike Pence and Senator Tim Scott of the professed Christian candidates on the right.
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More than just interesting: First Nations Christian leader Neville Naden had this short sharp comment: “It’s interesting that the Victorian Government cost the taxpayer some $680.000.000 on the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games.
“ATSIC cost the taxpayers some $38.000.000 and was abolished.
“Thoughts anyone?”
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After a week in Singapore: Obadiah loved visiting Wesley Methodist in Singapore – where he experienced a great blend of expositional preaching and praise band worship – not tempered by a dawning rueful recognition that it is the Church sent up by Crazy Rich Asians.