The Friday Fax 2005 #31

World

Ecclesiastes: bridge for Buddhists

"Siddhartha Gautama alias Buddha and Kohelet, author of the Old Testament book Ecclesiastes, used very similar methods to describe the basic problems of human existence and suggest solutions," according to a recently-published book by David Lim and Steve Spaulding. "That makes Ecclesiastes an excellent contact point and bridge for explaining Biblical truths to Buddhists," they say.

Experience-based description

Buddha's statements are based on his own experiences and observations, as do Kohelet's. Both make similar statements about life, but have completely different analyses and hence different solutions. Ecclesiastes' foundation in experience is a helpful approach for Buddhists, because their own background helps them understand the statements.

Greed is humankind's basic problem

Buddha's "Four Noble Truths" declare (1) that life is suffering, (2) the suffering is caused by greed, (3) the suffering can be overcome by overcoming greed, and (4) there is a path to end suffering. Similarly, Kohelet sees humankind's basic problem in selfish desire and greed. Greed has its source in the human will and selfish motives which oppose the will of God. Instead of seeking God's will, people live as they see fit, with their own lusts and desires subjecting their own lives to suffering and unfulfillment.

Both look 'under the sun'

In the Bible, the expression 'under the sun' occurs only in Ecclesiastes. The author deliberately restricts himself to observing humankind's earthly activities, ignoring the possibility of a transcendent but immanent God. Both Buddha and Kohelet try to find sense in life outside of God. Basic ethics and some of the Creator's attributes are "written in each person's heart" according to Romans. If we do not reject Buddha's moral teachings out of hand, but understand them as part of God's general revelation to all people, it becomes possible to open God's specific revelation and laws to Buddhists.
Source: David Lim and Steve Spaulding: Sharing Jesus Holistically in the Buddhist World, e-mail SteveMSpaulding (at) cs.com

Ethiopia

Attacker shot the wrong man

"Many Evangelical churches in Ethiopia are experiencing both growth and persecution," according to Nehemia Info, published by Swiss mission agency AVC. The Full Gospel Church in Addis Abeba Sarbetoch, for example, were given notice to leave the building they rented. When trying to rent a new building, the neighbours tried to drive them away; local authorities had to act to calm the situation. Several of the regional leaders report of strong growth and new churches planted, but also of persecution particularly when planting new churches. "In the summer of 2004," according to one report, "Orthodox 'Christians' surrounded an evangelist's hut. He had suspected that something would happen, so had already brought his family to safety, and was alone in the hut. The attackers broke the door down and forced their way in. One of them thought he had found the evangelist and shot, but killed one of the other attackers. God had protected the evangelist, who escaped in the darkness. Typically for the situation in the nation, the evangelist is now suspected of having murdered the attacker. He had to leave the region, but is alive and still working."
Source: AVC

Somalia

First Somali church

This is the first Friday Fax news item about Somalia! We have only mentioned it once before, in 2002, when it was listed as the least-reached nation in the world, with only one evangelical Christian for every 67,314 inhabitants. German missionaries in Somalia have just sent us the following news: "For 15 years, Somalia has stood for anarchy, hunger, death, violence and refugees. The nation has now managed to form a new Government. Many Somalis have experienced death-bringing hate, and know that Islam never managed to bring peace to their nation. When they hear that Jesus prayed for his murderers while on the cross, they are deeply touched. Perhaps God had to allow the situation in Somalia in order to open the people for the Gospel. For decades, there were very few Christians, and even today, many pay for their faith with their life. Now, though, couples and even entire families are coming to Jesus, and children are hearing the Word of God in the churches. A dream held by missionaries for decades has just been fulfilled: a few months ago, a number of Somali groups joined to plant a church. Even Government officials have to admit that their nation is no longer 100% Moslem. The new Christians are growing in faith and assuming more and more responsibility..."
Source: Name and address withheld

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