The Arab Revolution

The remarkable events occurring across North Africa and the Middle East are a turning point in world history. They may prove to be as momentous for the Arab Muslim world as the Reformation was to Europe, the Americas, and Christianity in the sixteenth century.

There are many differences, but a major one stands out. The Christian Reformation was spearheaded by a few men and the simple idea that “the just shall live by faith”—not by works. In contrast, the Arab uprising is virtually leaderless, a spontaneous revolt of common people against decades of tyranny.

Morroco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt across North Africa, and Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, and even Iran in the Middle East are facing thousands demanding democratic reforms, higher wages, and cheaper food prices.

Responses have been wildly different. In Bahrain, the army was pulled back and the police fled. The king is trying appeasement. He has even called a day of mourning for those killed by security forces. Like Egypt, with no clear agenda, the outcome is uncertain.

In contrast, Libya’s Gaddaffi has killed hundreds in the last few days in an attempt to quell the protests. Despite this, today, the Libyan parliament building is burning and police stations are wrecked. Some security forces have defected to the protesters; the country may be poised for civil war.

The Arab nations in the gulf, apart from Bahrain, have so far escaped turmoil, probably because of higher living standards in the oil producing countries, but also the ruthless reign of the Saudi Arabian monarchy. But, like Bahrain, they are not exempt from demands for political reform.

It will take at least the rest of this year to observe how the Arab landscape has changed. It will almost certainly affect the West that still depends on Middle East oil. But the effect on Israel could be disastrous, depending on alignment of Arab nations for or against Israel.

I often wonder why God chose that particular place in the world for Israel to dwell. Any of us could have done a better job of providing a more secure place for the chosen nation. And Christ was clear, Israel has yet to face its greatest distress (Matthew 24:21). Why place Israel in a sea of hostile nations?

God is the Lord of history. He has always been the source of Israel’s defence, but Israel has repeatedly made alliances with other nations for security. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help” has a modern ring to it. But God will be its ultimate liberator:

“like birds hovering overhead.

The LORD Almighty will shield Jerusalem;

He will shield it and deliver it,

He will ‘pass over’ it and rescue it” (Isaiah 31:1 and 5)

These events can also encourage us personally. Because as God is the Lord of history and Israel’s defender, He can surely bring us through “our light and momentary troubles . . . For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17–18).

A $36,000 Microwave?

Ms. Telfer ran a small business, and employed an immigrant lady, who, like other employees, warmed her lunch in the company microwave. However, complaints arose about the noxious smell that permeated the premises from her selected menu.

She complained to the human rights tribunal who found she had been “adversely affected,” and ordered Ms. Telfer to pay $36,000 in compensation. She ran a small federally-assisted business helping immigrants. She had no money, so lawyers began the process of seizing her house to pay the penalties.

Ms. Telfer made an application for a judicial review of the decision, and fortunately, the courts were speedier than the tribunal. A judge immediately ordered a stop to the seizure. Ms. Telfer’s house was saved, but only after much distress on her part.

The incident so incensed Rex Murphy, he took the ruling to task in his inimitable way at: http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/02/05/rex-murphy-human-rights-meets-its-match-the-microwave-oven/#ixzz1E2N5FDdI

As Rex pointed out, it’s not hard to see that the consequences flowing from the penalty was itself the real violation of human rights. I believe most Canadians are exasperated at the way human rights tribunals ride roughshod over the very rights they are supposed to ensure.

Because those biased against Christianity and its claims mostly operate the tribunals, Christians are often targets of these kangaroo courts, or denied complaints they wish to bring. The restoration of some basic justice is long overdue if we wish to maintain the freedom of our beliefs.

 

The current human rights legislation authorizes the tribunals that sidestep the most elementary forms of justice required for due process. The Association for Reformed Political Action (ARPA) is in the forefront of seeking overhaul of this legislation. Please support them in their endeavour; we may be the ones who are saved by their efforts.

Check their websites at: http://arpacanada.ca/ and http://humanrightscommissions.ca/

Chooing to Die?

Wael Gholeim was held blindfolded for twelve days during the recent Egyptian uprising. He was one who lived to tell his story; at least 300 died at the hands of the security forces during that time.

While in custody, this young man didn’t know whether he would live or die, but claims he was ready to die if necessary. He was not alone in this; many of the protesters spoke of their willingness to die for the cause.

Commentators have reported that the cause was effective because the populace lost their fear of the police who were brutally used to subjugate the people for thirty years. Death had become a tolerable alternative to the conditions under which the majority lived.

But Islamist terrorists have proved there are many who are prepared to die for their cause, even when their living conditions are comfortable. Those who no longer fear death are a formidable enemy, and faith motivated behaviour is the hardest to change.

Are we Christians prepared to die for our faith? That may seem an unlikely scenario, but willingness to die for Him measures our willingness to live for Him. After all, living for Him is harder than dying for Him, it is a daily sacrifice—and a living sacrifice can crawl off the altar.

How seriously are we attached to our possessions and living style? Both adversity and prosperity may insulate us from God. Suffering suggests that God has abandoned us, while prosperity may fool us into thinking we don’t need God (Proverbs 30:8–9).

Is the comfortable life prosperity has given us is too much to lose? Would we be willing to give it all up for Him, if not in death, in life significantly reduced of its benefits?

Supergranny

Most of you have seen the video of the red-coated granny tackling four helmeted and biker-leathered bank robbers. At first, I thought it was a staged event for you-tube, especially as it was broad daylight, reasonably good video, and many people around.

But it seems this crime was more of a spectator sport. If so, perhaps advertising time and location would be good business, and filming would be improved. The police could be on standby to enter at the best-scripted moment.

However, we can’t count out granny busting in at the wrong time and messing things up. This one couldn’t keep her shopping bag to herself, flailing around at the thieves who weren’t hurting anyone. I’m surprised she wasn’t arrested for assault and battery.

Well, I guess that could happen yet. One of the thieves will probably accuse her of excessive force, injury and humiliation. Perhaps all four will launch a class action suit. More than likely in our topsy-turvy world.

If they could crucify Jesus Christ, who also never hurt anyone—didn’t even rob a jewellery store—then anything is possible. Just be careful what you believe, or you could suffer a similar fate.

 

How much do you think the most expensive house in the world is worth? How about just short of 2 billion dollars! And where do you think it’s found? How about Mumbai, India.

Completed this January, it encloses 400,000 square feet of interior space, rises 550 feet high above the Mumbai skyline, and is built above six floors of parking for staff and visitors. Facilities include ballroom, health floor with swimming pool, entertainment floor with theatre, outdoor gardens and entertaining levels at the top floors with views over the Arabian Sea.

Read the story and see the pictures at http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=4219575#ixzz1DHLeHZW5

The huge spaces and opulent finishes contrast vividly with the slums and ghettos to be found in Mumbai and all large Indian cities. Even the attached picture juxtaposes it against a poor neighbourhood.

Opulence anywhere is in strict contrast also to Jesus Christ Himself whose credentials could have provided Him with the richest environment. But He who was rich, for [our] sakes He became poor, so that [we] through His poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

This is contrast is particularly true of the Church and its self-proclaimed leaders that represent him to the world. So many have accumulated fortunes in His name denying principles Christ exhibited; even preaching that affluence is the reward and mark of spirituality.

The tragedy here is that elaborate vestments, ceremonies, and liturgies insulate people from a true picture of Jesus Christ. He spent His time with the poor and social outcasts of his day. His primary audience was the common people, although not restricted to them.

But looking at the obvious purveyors of “Christian” affluence, begs the question whether our lifestyle shields us from those that Jesus would have spent time with. Do we have the love that overcomes our discomfort zones?