Radical CHURCH History (1)

It strikes me that, to most people, "radical church history" probably translates subliminally as "RADICAL Church HISTORY". History because, okay, that's where we're going to find some gems. Radical because hey, that's what we're wanting to get inspired by - and towards. But Church? Well that's just the context because we're Christians, isn't it?

Part of what burns in my heart and makes me do this blog is that I want to restore the value of CHURCH. I'm no Luddite, but I can't go along with the line I read in several newsletters I receive, that "we are now at last emerging from the dark days of priestly systems into the true kingdom of spiritual believers". Am I the only one who picks up behind these words a spiritualised version of everyone did what was right in their own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8)?

Church as a living, committed band of brothers and sisters, an incarnation of the kingdom of God in shared, sacrificial lives - that to me is radical and totally relevant today. The whole "Belong - Believe - Behave" school of thought requires there to be something warm, alive and identifiable to belong to.

Christians of old understood this far better. John Cennick (1718-1755) was an evangelist and church-planter with the Moravian Church, predominantly in Ireland. He was also a hymn-writer, and today I simply offer, without comment, one of his hymns about being joined to a radical CHURCH.

Hail, church of Christ, bought with his blood!
The world I freely leave.
Ye children of the living God,
Me in your tents receive.

Bride of the Lamb, I’m one in heart
With thee, through boundless grace,
And I will never from thee part;
This bond shall never cease.

Closely I’ll follow Christ with thee,
I’ll go the appointed road;
Thy people shall my people be,
And thine shall be my God.

Now am I, Jesus, one of those,
Who in thy fold have place,
Who, gathered at the Saviour’s cross,
Enjoy redeeming grace.

O yes, nor would I change my lot
For all this world can give!
By grace I’ll keep the place I’ve got;
For thee alone I’ll live.

The Archbishop Gunned Down At The Altar

I notice that on March 24, 2010, President Mauricio Funes of El Salvador issued a public apology for the murder of Oscar Romero. His countrymen have waited 30 years to hear it!

In the 1970s, El Salvador was ruled by a brutal dictatorship. The poor had their land confiscated; any who protested were never seen again. Mutilated bodies clogged the mountain streams. The Catholic Church, by not opposing this, was seen by many as supporting it. But in the darkest hour, one man stood up.

Oscar Romero had been appointed archbishop of the capital, San Salvador, because he was a safe option - he never troubled the waters. But when right-wing militias began executing 'rebels' one hundred at a time, Romero could hold back no longer. He spoke out against injustice.

‘The church’s place is beside the poor, the outraged and rejected, to speak out for them’, he declared. ‘Is our preaching so spiritual that it will not cry “Idolators!” at those who kneel before money and power? Jesus brings a kingdom where we share our wealth, so that nobody is without what they need for a dignified life’.

The powerless poor took him to their hearts, but people of influence were too afraid to join him. Posters went up: ‘Be a patriot – kill a priest!’ All his clergy drew back from him, except one, who got murdered. Romero refused to be intimidated. ‘Soon it will be my turn to die for what is right’, he declared - and continued to speak out against tyranny.

In the West, Romero was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (but Mother Teresa got it). Back home, he was top of the hit list. In 1980, while taking a friend’s funeral, Romero was gunned down at the altar by a death squad. He was 63. Even at his funeral, attended by 250,000 people, gunmen opened fire at mourners.

Yet today, democracy is bringing growth to El Salvador and churches are growing at a rate of 90% every ten years. The people are in no doubt: it is God’s blessing on the radical leader and martyr, Oscar Romero.

"One must not love oneself so much as to avoid getting involved in risks. History demands risks of us. Those that fend off danger will lose their lives."

Oscar Romero

Passionate Past

In this blog I want to explore the Christian church's passionate past. In it you'll meet Christian radicals, the movers and shakers of past centuries. They have a lot to bless us with!