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CALL TO COMMITTMENT This is the Lenten season, and the traditional churches call their members to some personal sacrifice, in obser vance of the sacrifice our Lord made by His death to “purge our sins’’ (Heb. 1:2). While truly evangelical Christians do not have to sacrifice the so-called pleasures of cigarettes, chocolates, or movies; nevertheless, this season should be a time of contrition and heartsearching, with specific regard to our relation to the one who “purged our sins.”
Too many evangelical Christians know little else of this Christ, than the one who saved us from our sins. An understanding as revealed in Heb. 1:1-3 would literally transform us, and our churches, and our conference. We are told that He is God’s last voice to the human race. Let me quote Phillip’s translation: “. . . has now, at the end of the present ages, given us the Truth, in the Son.” Then to personally endorse Christ’s own words “I am the Truth” (John 14:6), God unfolds the glory of the One He has sent to speak. Listen again to the Phillip’s ver sion: “Through the Son God made the whole universe, and to the Son He has ordained that all creation shall ulti mately belong. This Son, Radiance of the Glory of God, flawless Expression of the nature of God, Himself the Upholding Principle of all that is, effected in person the reconciliation between God and Man and then took His seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high . . .” This picture of the Son of God, should satisfy even the most credulous, as to His ability to purge sin and change lives. However to the concerned Christian, the lenten season is a time of heart searching. We hear again the commands
"I I must not interfere with my chiid I have been told To bend liis will to mine, or shape him through some mold Of thought. Naturally, as a flower, he must unfold. Yet, flowers have the discipline of wind and rain; And, though I know it gives the gardener pain, I’ve seen him use liis pruning shears to gain Strength and beauty for blossoms rare. Thus he tends what’s in his care. Like the Master-florist fashions His lilies fair. I do not know, yet it seems to me That only weeds are left to unfold naturally! —Sunshine Magazine
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“Take up your cross and follow me”, “let us consider ourselves as actually dead to sinfulness, but in Christ, liv ing to God” (Rom. 6:11, Berkeley). To us it is clear why such a full picture is given of the ‘Voice of Truth’ for this age in Heb. 1:1-3. It is in this ‘Voice of Truthf’ we live to God. The supreme glory and attainment of the indwell ing of the Holy Spirit in His Temple, our bodies (I Cor. 6:19), is the revelation of this ‘Voice of Truth’ as still living and speaking. The earnest believer is not only the reci pient of His purging of sin; but finds the radiance of the glory of God emanating from himself: finds himself en dowed with the nature of God; finds Himself empowered with the exceeding abundant power of the Upholding Principle of all that is. No wonder Paul could write Ephesions 3:20, and Ephesians 2:6 ‘‘He has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
Without doubt this is the reason why the early be lievers were called ‘Christians’, (Acts 11:26.) They carried about in their lives the revelation of the ‘Voice of Truth’ in all His fullness, and satisfying every longing of the human heart both for this life and the future. On this basis, can we as individuals, churches, and a conference merit the name “Christian”. If not, then as believers we have an obligation to open our lives fully to Him, who gave His life for us. Only then can we justify our existence as individuals or as a conference. May this pre-Easrer season see a Spiritual Renewal, such as we have not experienced before. Guest editorial by Edwin Wright
Dear Editor: Thanks very much for so faithfully sending the issues of the MESSENGER to me. I’ve enjoyed reading each issue and look forward to reading the coming ones. Please have the future issues sent to Box 701, Steinbach till fur ther notice. I’ll be leaving Jordan, April 1.
Jordan
Ken Barkman
Correspondents this issue: Valley Stream, Mrs. Henry Neufeld; Weekes, Mr. Harry Friesen; Portage, Mrs. Le anne Penner; Endeavour, Edwin Wright; Arden, Mrs, N. A. Dueck; Prairie Rose, Mr. Harold Plett; Fl in Flon, Mr. Henry Koop.
The Messenger Olllolal argan, In the English language, or the EVAJSGEUGAL MENNONITE OONFERBNOE. Published bi-weekly under the aus pices oi the E.M.C. BOARD OF PUBLICATIONS AND EDUCATION. Editor, David K. Schelleiiberg, 502 Fifth Ave. N.W.. Portage la Prairie, Man. All new subscriptions and change of address should be sent to Mr. Abe Klassen, Box 1447, Steinbach. Man. Subscription price to non-members $1.00 per year. All E.M.C. members pay through the church. Authorized as second class mail. Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash.
THE MESSENGER
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Man’s Part in God’s Redemption
The Author: Rev. Archie Pen ner is interim Professor of Greek and New Testament at Mennonite Biblic a 1 Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana.
VI
SALVATION: CONFORMITY TO THE E %
CHARACTER AND
IMAGE
OF
GOD
By Archie Penner
This article is so much based on the previous study that it will be necessary to have that article before us as we go on in our discussion. It will be remembered that we conclud ed with the statement that Redemp tion for man means that through and in Christ the divine image restored by God and recreated. The passages which were cited should also be re membered. To continue, it can be stated that it is in this meaning of salvation that we reach its deeper and most central significance. When God saves a man, it is God’s act with many sides to it. However, basically and fundamentally it is the matter of righteousness—of bringing man into moral and spiritual conformity with God. This is why Paul in his famous passage in Romans (8:28-30) shows that the central fact of God saving man is to be conformed to the image of His Son: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predes tinate to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Since it must be conclud ed from our discussion that this is the moral image of His Son, it means that in salvation man is brought to righteousness. As tliis conformity to Christ must be absolute, so the right eousness to which man must be brought must be perfect righteous ness. It is most clear, then, that sal vation must be the impartation of the March 5, 1965
perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. We must therefore, reach this pro found conclusion: As sin is unright eousness and a non-conformity to God and His Son, so salvation, on the con trary, is perfect conformity to the image of God and His Son and their righteousness. In all these consider ations we are, of course, assuming the full import of necessity of the death of Jesus Christ as taught in the Scriptures. Now, while we have here been deal ing with the most fundamental level of God saving man there are, as already stated, many aspects to God saving man in Jesus Christ which are part and parcel of the total work of God in saving him. The first act of God which we must mention is justification. (Rom. 8:30; -:51; 4:5; Lk. 18:14: passism). Justi fication is that act of God whereby sinful man is declared to be just or righteous as Christ Himself is right eous. It means that the righteousness of Christ is reckoned as the sinner’s own. This includes, obviously, the forgiveness of sin (read Rom. 3-5). In this act of God the image of Christ is counted as being restored. It is be cause of this fact that Paul can write to the Ephesians: “. . . He hath made us accepted in the beloved (Christ).” (Eph. 1:6). We are thus accounted as the children of God, the sons of
God. But God could not have permitted Paul to write the fifth chapter of Romans without also having him write chapter six and eight. In other words, we must be extremely careful not to tear justification from the total work of God in savipg man, which includes regeneration, sanctification, and glori fication. Wherever these are torn apart, grave and disastrous spiritual and moral consequences must follow. God does not save man without re generating him. God does not regen erate or justify man without setting the process of sanctification into mo tion. These facts are all important. Without this matter fully understood, there can only develop a wrong view of man and his relation to God. This demand—not to separate one aspect or part of God’s work of sal vation—is so important that a few further parallels must be mentioned at this point. One is that saving faith and obedient faith cannot be sepa rated. When they are, then faith ceas es to be saving faith. Or, again, to be a (Christian cannot be separated from being a full disciple of Christ. If the latter is separated from the former, man is neither a disciple nor a Christ ian. However, we want to leave this hu man aspect or part in redemption to a later article.
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WEEKES
• ••
MISSI
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EMC. FIELD COUNCIL MEETS By Edwin Wright
The large representation of Exten sion Committee workers and asso ciates, responded to the challenge of the host pastor. Rev. Dave Dueck, Mafeking, on February 13th, in the Mafeking Chapel, and set the tone for a spiritually enlightening and produc tive council. His message on Acts 13:44 to 14:3 concerning the early church and its relations to the mis sionary task of the church, showed that they had a vision, resulting in concern; they had the Holy Spirit bringing conviction: and they had a message that convinced. This was in terrupted as the standard for today. Under the able leadership of chair man Melvin Koop, the council apipointed the following committees: Elmer Bartel, Flin Flon; Dave Dueck, Mafeking; Edwin Wright on “The Needs of Further Education”: Mrs. Corny Flett, Winnipeg; Miss Elda Kroeker, Winnipeg, and Mrs. Abe Giesbrecht, Felly on “Most Effective Ways of Reaching our Rural and Town Children” and both committees to report back to the next council. A motion was passed that the workers give earnest consideration to equality of workers and the use of etxra income earned by the workers and its use, and to remit a written expression to the Extension com mittee by April 1st. Recommendations unanimously passed were (1) that we have a fulltime field man, and supervisor of 4
evangelism; (3) that the extension committee undertake the centraliza tion and promotion of radio program ming to cover our Home Mission area; (4) recommended that Ben D. Reimer put in writing for publication his mes sage on ‘‘The Women’s Position in tile Church”; (5) that the ladies pre sent at Council have a separate meet ing for women only; (6) that we ac cept the report of the Youth Commit tee, that we assist in enlarging facil ities of the Steeprock Bay Bible Camp, and conduct our Youth Re treats there; (7) that Rev. Arnold Fast bring a message on all aspects of “Denominationalism” at the next council; (8) that all employment op portunities in the home mission areas be forwarded to Bro. Dave Schellenberg, edtior of “The Messen ger”. Matters under discussion were, the “New Curriculum” of the United church, the dangers of certain socalled Christian films, and the build ing of a better library of films for general use; the use of Book racks where good books can be made avail able to our people at a reasonable cost, as explained by Ben D. Reimer. Those present expresesd a vote of thanks for the genuine Christian hos pitality of the Mafeking people, and then decided to hold the next Council meeting at Endeavour, Sask, on May 8th., commencing at 10:00 a.m. cen tral standard time. All are wlcome.
Cottage IMeetings The Christians at Weekes are ga thering in the different homes every other Sunday night for fellowship in the form of a cottage meeting. These cottage meetings have been a tre mendous time of fellowship with the Lord and with each other for the group of Christians. Unsaved people have also been present at times and it seems they enjoy the hearty sing ing. The Holy Spirit has definitely been present at these informal gather ings and the blessing of the Lord is thus manifest as the Spirit moves. The attendance at these meetings has averaged around the 25 mark with the record attendance being above forty. The Lord be praised for Christ ian fellowship.
other Services Other facets of the work are con tinuing as usual. Road conditions due to storms over some of the weekends, however, have greatly cut attendance at Sunday School and service this last while. But we expect things to be different soon. Some visitation work has been done this past winter along with giving out of literature. Much remains to be done, though, in fhis area, both sowing and reaping. Yes, the Lord can send the above usual times of blessing in His work if only He could find total committ ment in His servants as they pray and work. Hospital visitations on Tuesday af ternoons has seemed to be a very profitable work. Along with literature distribution in the hospital many good personal contacts have been made. One Christian lady has been greatly blessed as she has had God’s Word of comfort read to her week after week. One man was in need of a German Bible and was very grateful when a German New Testament was brought to him along with other German literature. Hospital visitation work is mainly Mrs. Belznar’s work and she really enjoys witnessing in this capacity. The Christians, the work in the Church, and the winning of souls at Weekes certainly need your fervent prayer support. Thus, praying for each other the children of God can stand together as one man and go forward in the great task that is theirs. THE MESSENGER
* welfare MCC Comnii.ssioiis 20 New Workers for Service Twenty individuals attended tht first orientation school of 1965 from January 26 to February 10, A com missioning service was held on Feb ruary 7 at the Strasburg Mennonite Church, Strasburg, Pa. H. Howard Witmer, vice president of Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities and director of Home Mis sions delivered the commissioning ad dress. The commissioning charge and prayer were given by Urbane Peachey, secretary of Personnel Services.
* * * Dr. Fast Appointe«l Director of Senior Voluntary Service Dr. Henry A. Fast, Newton, Kansas, has been appointed by the Mennonite Central Committee on a halftime basis to head up a Senior Voluntary Service program. His office win be in North Newton. Part of his time will still be devoted to the General Conference Board of Christian Service. Senior VS will be part of the total MCC Voluntary Service program. Be cause there are certain tasks best served by mature and experienced people. Senior VS will attempt to utilize the wide assortment of skills, wisdom, training, and motivation of middle-aged and retired people in the church who are capable of rendering meaningful service. This effort will be undertaken in cooperation with simi larly concerned constituent groups. ♦ *
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Vietnam Missionary and MCC .Personnel are Safe, Carrying on Normal Work The Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities, Salunga, Pa., ^-eceived a cable on February 10 from Mennonite personnel in Vietnam stat ing that the Eastern Board’s mission aries and the Mennonite Central Com mittee’s relief workers were safe and carrying on their normal work. They do not consider recent events, •the exchange of raids between Viet Cong and government forces, as cha otic.
March 19, 1965
Goshen Surgeon to Congo for Two Months Dr. Ernest Smucker (surgeon), Go shen, Indiana, left on January 9, 1965, for a two month tour of duty at a hospital in the Republic of Congo. Dr. Smucker will be helping MCC doctor Neal Ratzlaff assume medical and surgical responsibilities at a Swedish Covenant hospital in Kibunzi, located between Leopoldville and the port of Matadi in southwestern Con goThe Mennonte Medical Association (MMA), knowing of the urgent need for someone with surgical experience to help Dr Ratzlaff get started in his assignment issued an appeal to its membership for a surgeon to make himself available in January and Feb ruary of this year. Dr. Smucker re sponded and three weeks later de parted for the Congo. * * *
# Offtneing Dr. Jacob A. Loewen, Translations consultant, American Bible Society will be the guest speaker at a “Special Consultation on Missions”, to be held on March 20 in the Board Room, Un ruh Memorial Building at the MBBC in Elmwood. The theme is “Commun icating the Gospel to Non-Mennonite Peoples”. The meeting is sponsored by the Canadian Mennonite Association Executive Committee. It is expected that 25 people will attend. * * * Myron S. Augsburger president elect 1966-1970 of Eastern Mennonite Col lege will assume the office of pres ident one year earlier due to Pres ident Mumaw’s absence on sabbatical leave. Dr. Augsburger will assume the responsibilities of the presidency on July 1, 1965. * * * The Congo Inland Mission is mak ing an appeal for funds to purchase an airplane to facilitate mission work in the Congo. The MAP (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) have offered to supply the pilot if the Mission gets the plane. * » » Congo Bebel Activity Causes Doctor Family to Evacuate Three Times in Eighteen Months The Dr. Arnold Nickel family of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was evac-
uated on January 24, from Bolobo, a Congo town located about 175 miles northeast of Leopoldville. Mennonite Central Committee Con go director Elmer Neufeld cabled on January 25: “Bolobo folks arrived Leo poldville Sunday evening. Nickel fam ily safe and well. Letter follows.’’ The Nickels and missionaries were evacuated by riverboat when rebels based in the Congo Republic, Brazza ville (former French Congo), crossed the Congo River and threatened the village of Bolobo where Dr. Nickel was serving at a Baptist hospital. This is the third time in 18 months that they have been compelled to leave their place of service on account of rebel activity.
• • *
.MTS Summer Tour to Soviet Union Conducted by Mennonite Editor-Author
The Menno Travel Service summer tour to the Soviet Union will leave New York on Monday, July 26, and return on August 31. Frank H. Epp, editor of “The Cana dian Mennonite and author of “Men nonite Exodus: Rescue and Resettle ment of the Russian Mennonites Since the Communist Revolution,’’ will serve as the group’s tour leader. As the tour progresses he will provide valu able background and current iniormation. The 1965 Soviet Union tour is de signed to acquaint you with some of the customs, peoples, and traditions of Russia which do not reach you through regular news channels. Few people realize that there are 15 distinct nationalities and over 70 dif ferent languages found within the boundaries of the Soviet Union. For many years these areas have been closed to American tourists but now they offer comfortable facilities and a hospitable environment for Ameri can and Canadian visitors. * • • COMING EVENTS March 15-28 Revival meetings at Rosenort with John Harms of Kola as speaker.
April 11-16 Special meetings at Portage la Prairie with Henry P. Dyck of MacGregor as speaker. April 18-25 Special meetings at Kola with Arnold Wiebe as speaker.
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Left to right: Mrs. Jacob R. Schellenberg (motlier of tiie editor) in front of the modern kitchen cabinets and range. Here we see .Mrs. Von Niessen entertaining a guest for “Vaspa”. The large picture window, featured in every unit, gives a spax ious outdoor view. Laundry facilities include an automatic washer and dryer. Shown here is Mrs. Jacob E. (Regehr, another one of the residents. RESTFUL SURROUNDINGS FOR SUNSET YEARS
Rest-Haven Apartments Open Steinbach:
By Mrs. Mary Barkman
An understanding of the needs of the aged plus farsighted planning have resulted in the building of the new Resthaven Apartments in Stein bach, which were officially opened on February 26th. History The need of a low-cost residence for the aged, without the extensive nursing and housekeeping assistance given in the Resthaven Nursing Home, was envisaged by the Board of Di rectors in 1959 when they planned the present spacious grounds of the Resthaven Home. The new apart ments are located on these grounds with enough space available for more of the same type of homes, if they become necessary. Approximately two years ago, plans were begun to build the apartments. The government required that appli cants for tenency be double the num ber of planned living units before money was granted for the building. At present, the Board of Directors
has enough applications to make an additional apartment house feasible by next summer. Cost Goveinment grants now cover 40'< of the cost of the building, with the remaining cost coming from the Evan gelical Mennonite churches in this area. The cost of the building, includ ing the heating system and electrical fixtures and some furniture is ap proximately $78,000. Features The Resthaven Apartments include four double units and eight single units or room for sixteen people. Each unit contains a refrigerator, stove, kitchen cabinets, its own bath room, adequate storage space. The oc cupants have access to the laundry room which is equipped with modern facilities, and a large, central living room. A pay telephone is also avail able, and tenents may have an ad ditional telephone installed at their own cost. All other incidental expenses
'are included in the rent. The cost of the rent is $44.00 for a single unit and $57 for a double unit. Each resident is in charge of his own housekeeping and cooking, and med ical aid is given by request only. Mr. C. A. Piett is presently in charge of the Apartments. It is expected that a janitor will be hired to look after the building.
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t
Administration The Board of Directors of the Rest haven Home and Apartments are ■chosen from the various E.M. Church es, and include, at the present time: A. K. Penner, C. A. Piett, Levi Schelenberg, H. A. Reimer, P. A. Piett, Jac. Klassen, Albert Friesen, Ben R. Piett, and Rev. Peter Guenther.
Residents Occupants at the Resthaven Apartments are Mrs. Jacob Regier, Mrs. Isaac Loewen, Mrs. Henry Toews, Mrs. Jacob Schellenberg, Mrs. Von Niessen, Mrs. Peter Enns, Mrs. Julius Friesen, Mrs. C. K. Friesen, Elizabeth Friesen, Mr. and Mrs. George Wiebe. There is at the moment just one rule regard ing tenants; only pensioners are wel come in these inviting surroundings.
• » •
Left t« right: Baek view of Rest-Haven Apartments. The spacious lounge. Mr. C. A. Piett putting on finishing touches.
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1 MirVA/C t
< HLVVO NEWS BLESSINGS!
We here at Valley Stream are ex periencing the Lord’s blessings, more than we had even dared to hope for. Since our last annual meeting much progress has been made. Building on the church is steadily progressing. We have had our ser vices in the main auditorium since November. It is tiU far from finished but much more adequate than the basement. This gives us more room for the Sunday school classes. Since November we have had eight classes in our Sunday School. Rev. Dyck from MacGregor has also started instruction classes for the young people. These classes are attended pretty well. Mr. Dave Harder has consented to take over the leadership of the Choir for which we praise the Lord. It is a big contribution to the Church. In all this we look to our Lord and praise Him for what He has done. • * *
S.B.I. CHORALE IN PORTAGE Sunday evening, February 28 was one of inspiration and blessing to all those who attended the services at the Portage Evangelical Mennonite church. The Steinbach Bible Institute Chorale consisting of 34 voice choir under the leadership of Mr. Henry Hiebert rendered a program of music and testimony. The program began with three negro spirituals, “I Know the Lord”, “Ca naan” and “Going Home”. Miss Anne Zacharias gave a testimony followed by a number in song sung by John Sawatzky and Arnold Dueck. The second testimony was given by Miss Barbara Doerksen, who was thankful for her Christian parents. Mr. Ron Penner played a number on the saxaphone. A short message was given by Henry Friesen one of the teachers accompanying the tour. The message, “I Know the Lord” was based on the song with the same name. He left the audience with the challenge, “Do you know the Lord?”
March 19, 1965
Tlie finale was taken from Schube. I’s Mass in F. and consisted of four numbers sung in the German lan guage. “To Whom Should I Turn”, • Gioiy to God in the Highest”, “Holy Holy Holy’ ’and “My Saviour Lord and Master”. A good crowd had turned out to hear this inspiring program. A feli^\/sn.p luncn was served to the guests ill the lower auditorium before they left for home. They travelled via bus. * * * ARDEN Romans 8:32-39 has again been proven after the disasterous fire the Wilbert Kroekers had several weeks ago. We thank God for giving them -strength to go on. The Bill Buhlers, Neepawa, have been blessed with a foster baby. Here too their aim is to draw the relatives of this child to the Lord. A challenging program “The Stran ger of Galilee” was brought by the Young People of Prairie Rose on Feb. 28. Many had come out to hear the sixty voice choir and their band at •the Arden hall. The afternoon was a blessing to all and we do hope they will come again soon. Work on the church has been pro gressing favourably this last week. Voluntary groups have come to help and while there’s yet much to be done it is very encouraging to see others come from far away with will ing hands to help along in this pro ject for the Lord. Our prayers are dhat by humbly working together many souls will be reached for Jesus Christ in the days to come. » » »
ENDEAVOUR The certainty of the coming of Spring with its resurrection of all nature, is assurance that God lives, find that His manifold promises is the hope we have as the anchor of our soul (Heb. 6:19). It is with this as surance of “His Blessing and Pre sence, that we carry on, in spite of natural and physical obstacles, and in spite of the uncertain and immoral world in which we live. Weather and sickness have had their toll on our work these past weeks. We reached a record for low attend ance in February. In spite of this we rejoice in evidence of “His Presence”. Our newly started Cottage Bible and prayer meetings have proven a real
blessing to those who have been able to attend, especially the shut-ins. In spite of bad week-end weather af fecting the Sunday services, the Youth Fellowship Friday night meetings have been owned of the Lord. We have had two inter-church film services showing “The Facts of Faith” and “I'hrough Gates of Splendour” with good attendance and interest. Under tne auspices of the Ministerial As sociation the film “Question 7” was shown to over a 150 people in the local hall. One of the series of three monthly inter-church Youth Fellowship ga therings was held in the Anglican church with three of our young peo ple presenting a panel “Christian Youth in the home”. The next gather ing will have a panel on “Christian Youth in the Community” by the Anglican youth in our Chapel, and the final panel will be “Christian Youth in the Church” by our young people. A devotional program, a time of recreation, and fellowship make up these programs. I had the privilege of being on a panel at the February Ministerial on the subject “The Fundamentalist Ap proach to the Scriptures”. The study and preparation proved valuable to me. In this way we are trying to reach those for whom we are re sponsible with the “Hope of His Glor ious Gospel.”.
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S.B.I. NEWS The graduating class spent an eve ning of fellowship together on Feb ruary 26. An hour of recreation stim ulated the appetites for the banquet that followed. There was also a time of spiritual fellowship of sharing in testimonies, prayer, and special num bers. Two short films presented the need and a challenge for effective Christian witnessing. In a series of chapel periods some practical lectures were presented by faculty members concerning wealth, vocation, management and labourer relationships, and entertainment, in regard to the Christian life. Questions from the students were dealt with in two succeeding chapel hours. The chorale has been going out to render programs in surrounding ar eas every weekend since February 14. They plan to finalize their work with a lengthy tour through Saskatchewan and the States, leaving April 9. * * * 7
STATE in the By Arcliie Penner
New Testament Introduction
The New Testament has no inten tion of defining the concept ‘State’ neither that concrete entity, known to the apostles and early church, the Roman State, nor ‘State’ in principle. But the New Testament is concerned about the Christian in his total life and thus every relation and relation ship. Thus it is obvious that the New Testament must speak about the State. This it does both directly and indirect ly but only as it relates to the Christ ian in his relation to society of which the State is one permeating aspect. This fact compels us to deduce from the Scriptures the relevent elements on the subject and then weave them into a coherent view as fully as pos sible. The result of the procedure is that it yields significant insights into the structure of statehood, its func tions and functionaries as well as what the Christian’s attitude and responsi bility is.
The Classical Passage
The first passage to engage our at tention is the classical Romans 13:1-7. In brief compass we will try to state what it says about the State.
arises whether there will be a neces sity of retributional justice. Yes, says Paul, in effect there will be. The Text — It is now in Romans 13:1-7 that Paul proceeds to expound the concept of retributional justice within human society under the dom inion of sin and to show how in con trast to this agape will respond to the higher powers (exousis huperehcnsiais). (It should be remembered that this expression meant “earthly au•thorities or State to the Greek reader. This is also true of archontes (v. 3). See Culmann: The State in the New Testament, p. 66) This response of agape to the State is subjection which must include both submission as active and as passive. With these preliminaries in mind, we want to speak to four questions. (1) What does it mean that the State has been ordained (KJV), instituted (NEB-RSV), appointed (Phillips) by God? (2) What can be said of the structure of the State from this pas sage? (3) What is the State’s func tion? (4) How does submission work itself out? First, the State is ordained of God and its exousia is received from God. It is rather strange that so many for so long have seen the State as par taker in divinity or divine holiness. It seems to me that nothing could be further from the meaning in Paul’s mind.
The Context — In order to under stand Romans 13:1-7, it must be re lated to its context. Two facts meet us here. First, Paul clearly enjoins agape to the Christian in chapter 12 and explicates it with some detail. Having done this, Paul now contrasts State and Authority it to the “justice which entails retri From the fact that Paul, in this bution.” (v. 19 so ekidikeo and cog nates). The exercising of this justice whole section (chs. 12 and 13) relies is forbidden. But now the question so heavily on what must have been
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traditions received from Jesus makes this an untenable position. (1) This is because Jesus saw the demonic (the Jewish not Niebuhrian concept) back of the “powers that be.” Compare his temptation and John 11:31; 14:30; 16:11. It must be remembered that this was basically a Jewish concept. (2) It is also because the concept of love so clearly shines through in this pas sage, and the State is said to be or dained to do precisely what Paul in Chapter 12 and Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount have forbidden. (3) Then again, there almost seems to be here an echo of what Jesus said to Pilate at the time of this trial. (John 10:10). Let me paraphrase: “You will not speak to me?” asks Pilate, “1 have the exousia to crucify you.” Jesus an swers, “Yes you have this exousia as a representative of the Toman State. But remember this is the exousia you have received from God which you now exercise over me. How you will exercise this exousia is now your re sponsibility. As it now stands in con demning me you will sin, oniy those who delivered me to you will have greater sin.”
Since Paul so clearly shared the •Jewish concept of demonic dimension jn human society in sin (Cf. 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:lff; I Cor. 2:8), there is no need to identify exousiais here as def initely referring to demonic person alities back of the human function aries, in order to prove that the de monic dimension is assumed in this passage. (Cf., Cullman, op. cit., pas sion). The Institution of the State
There is also no warrant to construe tasso and its cognates as suggesting somehow an imparting of a divine element to the State. In its sense here these words simply mean that God has appointed the State to a task. And it is thus that the State comes totally under the Lordship of Christ. However, at this juncture it must be clearly remembered that sin and un righteousness and those who per petrate these are also under the Lord ship of Christ only not in such a way as making Christ responsible for evil. However, they are under His Lord ship in the sense of permission, in the sense of setting their limits and in the sense of using them to perform His task and for His glory. Perhaps the clearest example of all of these factors is seen in the event of the cross. THE MESSENGER
The Purpose of the State The task of the State and the bas ic reason for which God has in stituted it is to secure justice and use fitting retribution to enforce it. This seems to be the meaning of “bearing the sword” and ‘execute wrath.” (vs. 4, ekdikos eis orgen). However, the end purpose is not this but rather it is “for your good.” This, in the larger context of the New Tes tament, can only mean so that God can complete his work in and through His Church. This purpose for which God has in stituted the State leads to another observation. If our conclusions thus far have been correct, it seems that en forcing justice is more than merely a function of the State or its author ities. Rather, this function, which in fact in its ultimate dimension must in Paul’s mind have made the State arbiter over life and death—however infrequent its actual exercise—and it seems logical that the State would collapse. This leads to another concept. If it is granted that ‘the sword’ means in its ultimate sense to have authority over life or death—and this does not necessarily involve the death penalty —then there lies here the concept of sovereignty to which every State lays claim.
The Christian’s Responsibility to the State If my queries to this point must be affirmatively answered then this sovreignty also is not only a function of any given rulers but constitutes part of the structure of the State. This leads us to the question of the duties of the Christian to the State. Subjection we have already mentioned. Paul now spells out some duties in detail. Taxes, revenue, respect and hon or are to be given to the authorities of State. We have only time to deal with taxes and revenues. Here an interesting fact meets our attention. When Paul says “render or give” he does not use didomi but apodidomi, Basically this means ‘to give back.’ However, this meaning must not be pushed too hard. But when it is seen that in all three Gospels (Matt. 22:15-21, Mk. 12:13-17 and Lk. 20:20-26) when Jesus is asked about giving to Caesar the verb didomi is used, but when Jesus answers he used apodidomi, our attention is ar rested. And, further, when it is rea-
March 19, 1965
lized that the sovereignty which the State claims includes the sovereignty over the mint, the usage of these verbs does not seem unintentional. The concurrence of this exposition and the facts of history are of such nature that I want to submit that it seems to me tlrat both Paul and Jesus teach that in its final fact the Christian lives in the State by its economic grace. This sovereignty in history has also extended to territory. That this conclusion might have importance for the problem of a Christian’s moral responsibilities can be seen. New Testament Unity on the Subject It has often been charged that Paul wrote Romans 13 in optimistic tones because he felt that Rome was re straining evil and it had not yet showed its persecuting fury. But this view cannot be sustained. It is true that the letter was written in the first years of the reign of Nero which were comparatively peaceful years. But surely Paul knew well of a Tiberius, a Caligula ahd a Pilate. He knew that his Lord had been executed by this same power. Further, he had no such optimistic view of human nature which would permit him to look with the alleged favor upon the Roman State.
Together with this, if it is granted that he believed that there existed a demonic dimension in the rulership of the world, then too this charge is in valid. These conclusions are further borne out in his second letter to Timothy— Pauline authorship is here assumed. In this letter, Paul is prepared to lay down his life, what must be in Rome. Yet the tone when speaking of the State is identical with Romans.2 There is also the possibility that Paul gives vent to the potential evil in the State when he writes to the Thessalonians. (2 Thess. 2:3ff.)
New Testament again, it is noteworthy that 1 Peter 3:131f., written to the church during persecution, carries the same view and spirit as Romans. Then it should be noted that the spirit of the Apocalypse has much similarity. It is true that that thread of thought which was submerged in most of the rest of the New Testament, the demonic, here finds clear prominence. But the idea of patience and submission pervade the whole treatise. The difference between tlie Apocalypse and
most of the rest of the New Testa ment is then only one of emphasis. Conclusions There are a few conclusions which I would like to draw. First, it seems that the New Testa ment concept of the State can best be squared with the concept of the fact of God in His sovereignty and the lordship of Christ where God uses that “wrath of men to praise Him.” It is a matter of using sin to accomp lish God’s will. God was forced to this procedure on Calvary. It is amply il lustrated in the Old Testament. (Cf. Hab. 1 and 2; Isa. 10:5-13; 44:28; Jer. 25:9; 27:9; 43:10). In fact it seems that an independent exercise of man’s will in sin necessitates this procedure in its clash with divine sovereignty. However, this process does not atone for the guilt involved. Second, what is not at all clear from the New Testament is whether this concept includes all people under a given geographic rulership or whether this concept includes only those “au thorities’ who are actually in the sad dle of rulership and those responsible for placing them into this role of rulership. That it points to the whole structure of the governing complex! in society is not clear either. Another al ternative would be that the New Testament concept of State applies to those structures which have as there reason for being governing enforced by the ‘sword.’
iCf., RSV, NEB and Phillips on Lk. 18:3ff; Rom. 12:19, 13:4, 2 Cor. 7:11; 10:6; 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Pet. 2:14. aCf., 2 Tim. 4; I Tim. 2:llf.; Tit. 3: Iff.
» » * TOMORROW Arthur M. Bowser “Repent tonight,” the Master said “And come and follow Me. Receive Me as your saving Lord And I will make you free.”
“Tomorrow when my work is done And nothing blocks my way; Tomorrow, Lord, I’ll go with Thee Upon the narrow way.”
“Tomorrow is a better day To praise Thy Holy Name. Tomorrow,” said the sinner man, But tomorrow never came.
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Children’s Page
“Then,” was the laughing reply, “let me stay with them while you run and find a guide who can show me the way.”
When
“But, sir,” said Hans, “the sheep, you see, would not know your voice. If you called them back from dan ger, they would not come.”
HANS
“But I could ride after them. Can’t you trust me that much?”
Obeyed
“No,” replied the lad “You have tried to make me break my promise to my master and disobey him by leaving his sheep. How do I know you will keep your word to me?”
I
Hans one day was watching his sheep carefully. They were feeding on the edge of a great forest and in the wood the older shepherds had often said there were wolves lurking, waiting to steal a lamb from the near by flocks. As Hans stood leaning on his crook, looking into the depth of the forest, a hunter came riding out. When he caught sight of the shep herd lad, he turned his horse toward him and called, “My lad, can you tell me the way to nearest town?”
"There is only a sheep path lead ing there from here,” replied Hans, as he pointed in its direction. “It is a long way, and the path winds about and leads into so many other paths, I am afraid you will never be able to find your way.”
‘‘Would you like to jump up behind me, and show me the right path, then?” asked the hunter. “Oh, sir,” said Hans, “I could not do that. I have to look out for these sheep ,to see that wolves do not at tack them from the forest.” “Why,” was the quick reply, “I can well pay you more than the cost of the sheep that are lost, if you will only show me the way to town.” 10
“But I have promised, sir, to stay by the sheep, and watch them faith fully. My master could not trust me again if I left them.”
At that, the hunter laughed. “You are right, my boy,” he said. “I only wish I could trust my servants as well as your master can trust you. WeU, now, point out the right direcrion for me, and I will try to find the town myself.” Just then, however, another group of hunters rode out of the forest. Upon seeing the one who was still beside Hans, they shouted for joy. “Oh, sir,” they cried, “we thought you were lost. We dared not go back without our prince.” Not many days after that, a ser vant came to take Hans to the castle. “Hans,” said the prince, as soon as he arrived, “I want you to leave your sheep and come to serve me. You are a boy whom I am sure I can trust.” This made Hans very happy, but still he did not forget his duty to his own master.
“If I can find another boy to take care of the sheep, I will come,” he replied gladly. iSo back he went to be a shepherd lad once more. It was not long before another boy was found to take his place, and then he went to the castle to serve the prince. He became one of the most faithful and trusted fol lowers, because he had learned to Obey. Could the Lord Jesus say of you, “You are the one whom I am sure I can rrust”? In Luke 16:10 we read, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.”
—Selected
The Straight Way Dan was a little fellow only six years of age. He lived in a western state where they raise large crops. Some day Dan would take his place in the field with his father, but al his present age, his duties consisted in feeding the chickens and throwing corn to the pigs. Talk about corn! Every day Dan watched the vast stretch of fields which had been planted with corn. Out there where Dan lived they didn’t plant an acre or two; they planted fields of com that sometimes reached for miles.
Day after day this corn grew until it was as high as Dan’s head. Up and up it reached, until Dan could no long er reach the top of it, even when he stood on his tiptoes. When it reached a height of eight or ten feet, it was surely some field of corn. “Want to go with me this morning, Dan?” his father said one day “I am going to the other end of the field to see how the corn is.” “Yes, please let me go,” replied Dan. 'They got in an old car, which was driven by one of the hired men. When they reached the end of the field, they drove on around to the farther side, directly opposite the house. “You can go on with the car,” Dan’s father told the driver. “Dan and I will go through the field.” Dan couldn’t see how they could get through the field, but he was willing to go wherever his father led the way. The auto left them and father and son started through the (Cont’d. page 12) THE MESSENGER
THE CHRISTIAN HOME By Ben Hoeppner
The father as the one who teaches or trains. Luke 6:38; Titus 2:7; Eph. 5:22 and I Cor. 11:3 —These references were used in the previous issue to view the obligations of the father as hus band. In this issue we will depict the father as teacher or instructor who trains the children. What is stated of the father, applies to the mother as well. The word “parents” could be used legitimately instead of “father.” 1. He should not provoke the child ren to wrath Eph. 6:41—Involuntarily the question is raised: “What is meant by this admonition?” Fathers should not give their children cause for wrath. This gives rise to a further question: “How can a father provoke a child to wrath?” The historical background drops a hint at this time. It was customary among the heathen at that time for a father to face his child when he was in a fit of fury. Frequently the child was treated un fairly by the father. Moreover, the father would accuse the child falsely and demand the unreasonable from him. Finally, the fathers frequently got aggravated when the children were not sympathetic with them. A child having received such treat ment is prone to become discouraged (Col. 3:21) and bitter. In view of this command, a Christian father is ex horted to crucify the heathen con duct and train his children in a Christian manner. It is possible that parents of Mennonite Churches could learn some what of this point? The writer (yours truly) is acquainted with a home where this admonition could be ap plied. The father made it literally March 19, 1965
very difficult for his children to live a Christian life. How these boys prayed that they might not rebel against their father! It was not in frequent for the father to swear at his grown sons, accuse them falsely or also insult and slander them un gracefully on the streets! The father literally provoked his children to wrath. It was only God’s grace that prevented the boys from committing sin against the father. Furthermore, another way by which the father may embitter a child is negligence in instructing it pro perly. It is the father’s duty to com municate the dangers and snares of this world to his child. If he fails to do this, the children are apt to get entangled in difficult situations. Con sequently, they are liable to blame the father for neglecting to enlighten them. These accusations against par ents tend to make the lives of the parents extremely difficult. Children are then prone to say: “Father, you are to blame for what I’m suffering now. You did not instruct me proper ly in the ways of life”. These accu sations can become indelible in our lives. God forbid that we be guilty of it!
2. He ought to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:14) What is meant by thr expression “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”? Briefly, it means that the father should make disciples of the Lord of his children. A disciple is one who follows the Lord. A disciple not only professes the Lord with his mouth, but rather professes Him in deed as well, ex amplifying perfect obedience. As fa-
ther, it is his duty to teach the child ren explicit submissiveness to God. In view of our present times, where crime and disobedience among juven iles is increasing at a fast rate, a father involuntarily raises the ques tion: “How can I train my children in becoming true disciples of the Lord?” —truly a great question! Who is capable in doing justice to it? Certainly not the author of this ar ticle? He can merely make a few comments on it—comments based on the Word of God and others emerging from educational realm, but none that will absolutely solve our practical problems. Answering this we have: 1. It is the father’s duty to establish right atti tudes in the home. Following refer ences clarify this point: 2 Cor. 1:12— “For our rejoicing is this, the testi mony of our conscience, that in sim plicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in xhe world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” Let us take heed of the good con science, simplicity, godly sincerity, the example of a good conversation (walk) in contrast to fleshly wisdom. If the father pursues this in the home, then the wife and children will soon follow his example in the Christian walk. Col. 1:3, 4—“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Je sus . . .” Pursuing to establish grat itude in prayer can work miracles in the home. It is indeed a blessed home where a grateful spirit is exemplified in daily living by the parents. 2. A father should have a forgiving spirit. This is quite obvious but neverthtless, a requisite in the home. There is no home where difference in opinions do not arise from time to time. Amidst these variations of op inions, it is necessary to exhibit a forgiving spirit. We read in Col. 3:13: “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one an other, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” He who can forgive in like man ner, reflects God’s sunlight into the home, illuminating every room with joy. It is self-evident that God rejoices (Cont’d. page 12) U
13. ...*, •
REPENTANCE AND THE NEW BIRTH By C. B. Loewen To develop perfectly, a butterfly has to squeeze through a tiny aper ture in its cacoon. Facilitating its ex it in any way will cause it to remain ugly and imperfect. In the Church to day we are in danger of streamlining conversion to increase church mem bership. Watering down the biblical birth principles of real repentance can result in forming too many pre mature babes in Christ. A sinner must pass tlirough tile process of biblical repentance to become a new creature in Christ. Recognition of Sin True repentance effects the entire personality of man. Repentance must necessarily begin with a recognition of sin. Man cannot recognize many aspects of sin without a real teach ing of sin. This recognition a.s rebell ion against God constitutes in man the conviction of being a sinner sep arated from God’s favor. Contrition for Sin Contrition for sin is the next step in true repentance. The very ugliness of his sin drives man to contrition and deep sorrow for having thus violated the holiness of God. The Psalmist said, “I will be sorry for my sin . . .” With out contrition for sin a sinner seldom can experience conversion. Confession of Sin As man recognizes his sin, and is broken in sorrow because of it, con fession of sin to God and man must necessarily follow. If a sinner will not confess sin with his mouth, recogni tion and contrition will only tend to harden him. Desertion of Sin With confession the sinner opens the way to further progress. There must now follow a voluntary deser tion of sin. “He that forsaketh his sin shall have mercy.” Man can have re cognition, contrition, and confession without desertion of sin. If a person
is led to assurance of salvation be V (CHILDREN’S STORY cont’d.) fore he is ready to forsake sin, an corn. They had gone but a little way when the father dropped to the ground abnormal creature will be bom:. with a sharp cry. He had stepped on Restitution for Sin Lastly, no true repentance is com a stone in such a way that it caused plete without a willingness to make him suddenly to fall. When he tried restitution for sin to other people in to get up, he found that his ankle was volved. Zacchaeus was an example sprained and he could not walk. “You’ll have to get help for me,” in restitution. "If I have taken any thing from any man by false accu he said to Dan. “Do you suppose you sation, I restore him fourfold.” Any can reach the house?” Dan shook his head. "I’ll get lost,” person who is willing to count the cost and pay the price of biblical he said, as he looked at the corn which repentance is ready for true disciple-, surrounded them, so thick over his ship. True repentance should precede head that he could barely see the sky. “Not if you do as I tell you,” his any profession of Christianity. The omission of heart repentance in con father replied. “You keep straight version has weakened the calibre of ahead on this row, and you’ll come out right near the house. Don’t look nominal Christianity today. ‘Except ye repent ye shall all like to the right or left, but keep straight ahead. The way may seem long, but wise perish . . .” Luke 13:3 just keep going. When you reach the * * * end, mark the row so the others will (CHRISTIAN HOME cont’d.) know where to find me. I’ll wait right In order to create such a forgiving here.” attitude (atmosphere), the father is Dan was afraid to go on through required to be an example in attempt that corn alone, but he didn’t let fear ing to establish this atmosphere. It is stop him. He just did what his father his duty to take the first step in mak told him to do. He couldn’t see far ing peace when disagreement and fric ahead, but he could keep in the row tion arises. This also infers when he After what seemed a long time, he carries no guilt in the matter. He re reached the end. He had travelled a calls the Word of God which says: mile alone. If he had turned to the “Blessed are the peace-lovers”, and right or left, he would have been lost, “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye but by keeping straight ahead, he which are spiritual, restore such an came out safe, and soon had help for one in the spirit of meekness.” Gal. his father. 6:1. Now, boys and girls, let me tell you 3. The father ought to communicate about another way, which is the safe considerable. His thoughts, his yearn way. “Straight is the gate, and nar ings, his plans, experiences, as well row is the way, which leadeth unto as his weaknesses. Such hand-in- life ,and few there be that find it” hand atmosphere will banish all sus (Matthew 7:14). There is but one way picion and misgivings and discourage to God. Jesus said, “I am the way.” unhealthy interests as well as neg Follow Jesus and you will be sure of ligence in proper disciplining. the right way. All other ways lead Dear Father in heaven, help us to away from God. Turn neither to the establish Christian homes where true right nor to the left, keep straight disciples abide, who give forth sweet ahead as Jesus leads, and you need smelling savour of Gods’ sunshine and not fear the end of the way, for it love. Amen! leads to God and Heaven . • • • —Selected
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THE MESSENGER
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