A prophetic call to reconcile
PASTOR BRIAN LOSPER WRITES: This writing serves as a prophetic warning to the Church Community in Namibia to wake-up from here comfortable slumber. Wake-up Church and hear the cry of a Nation in destress. Wake-up Church and answer God’s call to reconcile into the Body of Christ.
Namibia was a deeply divided Nation both politically and religiously when it finally became independent under a democratic elected government on March 21, 1990. Taking in consideration her passionate theological belief against the heretical doctrine of racism, and her counter action with the development of the Black Liberation Theology, one would expect that her role would be more prominent in the reconciliation process that run so deeply in the Namibian spirit of the time.
Before independence, church congregations previously in difference with each other, where drawn together in a common course: The Struggle for Liberation. There was even speculation that the Namibia Church Community would unite into an incredibly powerful spiritual, political, social and economic force. However, the reality of the once Powerful Prophetic Voice in a new liberated nation proves to be like a lion without teeth. Alas, as independence settle in, she remained defined by institutional division and resort to become mere humanitarian caretakers without a Kingdom Mandate.
The once unifying factor that kept the church together has now become nonessential. Evident is that the theological division within the church seems to be stronger than common courses and even of a higher priority than God’s Ministry of Reconciliation. We who are the recipients of this divine reconciliation have now the privilege and responsibility of being the heralds and instruments in God’s hands to minister the message of reconciliation throughout the world.
Although we face challenges like cultural groupings enforced upon us by the apartheids regime and theological indifferences introduced by the various Western Church missionaries, the so-called mainstream churches must remain relevant in addressing these divisions that hinder reconciliation. There is a significant shift by Independent Churches to gross the cultural barriers by adapting to English speaking services; however, division based on theological standings remains a thorn in the flesh.
It has become imperative for the Namibian Faith Community to again become proactive in spreading the Gospel of Reconciliation and being the Prophetic Voice of the Nation. But this can only become a reality if we dismantle theological and worldview standings that keep us divided. We as the Namibian Nation are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We are a Chosen People, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a People belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once we were not a people, but now we are the People of God; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy.
Namibia was a deeply divided Nation both politically and religiously when it finally became independent under a democratic elected government on March 21, 1990. Taking in consideration her passionate theological belief against the heretical doctrine of racism, and her counter action with the development of the Black Liberation Theology, one would expect that her role would be more prominent in the reconciliation process that run so deeply in the Namibian spirit of the time.
Before independence, church congregations previously in difference with each other, where drawn together in a common course: The Struggle for Liberation. There was even speculation that the Namibia Church Community would unite into an incredibly powerful spiritual, political, social and economic force. However, the reality of the once Powerful Prophetic Voice in a new liberated nation proves to be like a lion without teeth. Alas, as independence settle in, she remained defined by institutional division and resort to become mere humanitarian caretakers without a Kingdom Mandate.
The once unifying factor that kept the church together has now become nonessential. Evident is that the theological division within the church seems to be stronger than common courses and even of a higher priority than God’s Ministry of Reconciliation. We who are the recipients of this divine reconciliation have now the privilege and responsibility of being the heralds and instruments in God’s hands to minister the message of reconciliation throughout the world.
Although we face challenges like cultural groupings enforced upon us by the apartheids regime and theological indifferences introduced by the various Western Church missionaries, the so-called mainstream churches must remain relevant in addressing these divisions that hinder reconciliation. There is a significant shift by Independent Churches to gross the cultural barriers by adapting to English speaking services; however, division based on theological standings remains a thorn in the flesh.
It has become imperative for the Namibian Faith Community to again become proactive in spreading the Gospel of Reconciliation and being the Prophetic Voice of the Nation. But this can only become a reality if we dismantle theological and worldview standings that keep us divided. We as the Namibian Nation are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
We are a Chosen People, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a People belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once we were not a people, but now we are the People of God; once we had not received mercy, but now we have received mercy.
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