The Foolishness of Faith & The Faith of Foolishness

THE FAITH OF FOOLISHNESS: GOD IS DEAD!

I believe that one of the most profound teachings in Christianity is about faith.  Many of us have tried to write or preach about the subject, but so often, we are tempted to present one part of a many-sided story.  We present one aspect of a whole as if it were the whole and miss the total picture.

A number of years ago when I first went to Southern Africa School of Theology in Rustenburg, South Africa, every senior class would build a makeshift stage on the platform at Bethany Chapel.  This was always done in preparation for the choir to sit on as ready for performance when called upon during the graduation ceremony.  We took bricks, put them underneath long flat timber, and covered them with white sheet.  In one such exercise, a student overlooked putting bricks under the timber.  Fortunately, the principal picked it up and called out, “Put some bricks under those planks, otherwise you will have to sit on faith!”  By implication faith was sitting on “nothing.”

Come to think of it, the first act of faith proceeded from “nothing.”  The Genesis account begins with the words “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”  God did not make the heavens and the earth He created them.  Which means until then, the heavens and the earth did not exist.  There is a difference between the words “made” and “created.”  If you make a chair, you need the required tools and wood to complete the project.  Creating a chair would on the other hand mean that you have nothing to work with, except a “picture” in your mind.  God began with a vision of a desired state, with no physical means to put it all together, because nothing existed but Himself.  He was the physical means.  Right from the beginning God created what became out of what never was.  He created the existing out of the non-existing (Hebrews 11:13).

The conflict between faith and reason begins right here.  Reasonably, how do you “create?”   A fundamental axiom in basic science is that we can only move from a known to an unknown.  Therefore any form of “creation” must start with a known premise or assumption.  Faith turns that whole story around, moving from a known to an unknown is not a “creation,” it is an innovation.  Only God creates.  He moves from non-existent to existent.

In Hebrews 11, the author presents what I consider to be the best definition of faith.  “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen, it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”^NLT

In this definition some key words stand out, i.e. confidence, and hope.  Perhaps a little unpacking of these words can help us grasp the meaning of these key words.  “Confident” means being sure, certain, doubtless, definite, resolute in belief, persuaded, and convinced.  “Hope” on the other hand is a combination of wish and anticipation, looking forward to something with trust and optimism.

So, faith is being doubtless and trusting that we will receive what we look forward to, not only because we dare to dream, but also because God has the inexhaustible capacity to make His and therefore our wildest dreams come true.  When God’s dreams for us are actualized, they become our achievement of faith.  The journey of faith is not about what we do with God, it is what God does with and through us as part of His greater purpose for humanity.

Faith is seeing the unseen through the unseen.  It is believing that God will come through for us as an oasis in the middle of the driest wilderness.  It is not an appeal to reason or intellectual analysis, but to God.  It is an expression of a person’s unwavering belief and confidence in the existence and power of the unknown and unseen God.

THE FOOLISHNESS OF FAITH: NIETZSCHE!

The apostle Paul’s ministry was surrounded by a world infatuated with philosophy.  The most admired philosophers were those who had the ability to argue fluently and to put their case across in grandiloquent terms.  In this context, Paul did not argue for the “intelligence” of the faith, but precisely for the opposite.  By his own admission, he was not an eloquent speaker; his whole ministry was an emphatic defense that “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.”[1] 

The appeal of faith is the essence for faith.  “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”[2]  Faith is being convinced that there is a God, and that knowing Him is not limited to, and goes beyond the five senses of touch, feeling tasting, smelling, and seeing.  Christians accept that there is God.  They cannot prove it, but neither can anybody prove otherwise.  The Psalmist said, “A fool saith in his heart there is no God.”  It’s like reading the same writing differently.  Some read, “God is nowhere,” when others read, “God is now here.”

Rev. Nicholas Bhengu was once confronted by a university professor, “What would you say Reverend, if after preaching for so many years you suddenly woke up to the fact that there is no God?”  Bhengu replied, “I would be disappointed, but my life would have been worth living.'  He reversed the question to the learned man, “What would you say professor, if after denying God for so many years you suddenly woke up to the fact that there is a God.”  The professor was dumbfounded.  It takes an act of faith to believe or not to believe in the existence of God.  One’s doom or glory depends on the response.

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[1] 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 & 1 Corinthians 2: 1-15

[2] Hebrews 11:6

“I swear by myself declares the Lord, that because you have done this, and not withheld your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and as the sand on the seashore.  Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies” Genesis 22:15-17

This chapter describes a very unique relationship between God and Abraham.  There was a constant authentic dialogue going on between the two.  God communicated directly with Abraham in his personal capacity.  Simply put, God knew Abraham, and Abraham knew God.  For reasons best known to God, Abraham’s commitment to the relationship was about to undergo a very strenuous test (as if to say, strong relationships are tested by time.)  Abraham’s commitment would be demonstrated by action.  Perhaps words were fine, but credibility and authenticity is established only by action.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.

God knows your name

In Vs 1; God calls Abraham by name.  “Abraham…Take your son, your only son, whom you love.”  For most people, if you know them by name, it means you take a personal interest in them.  If you don’t even know my name, you are not interested in me.  If someone is interested in you, the first thing they want to know about you is your name.

In 1977 I visited Zimbabwe, after I had been there as a five year old in 1960.  My father came from there, and my deepest desire was to know my paternal roots.  I landed in a village called Wabayi, about 100km northwest of Gwanda.  The first person I met was my father’s younger brother.  I explained to him who I was, and immediately he called me by my name, Ndabezinhle!  All my life I had been called “Stephen;” a name which was given to me by my maternal grandmother.  Suddenly I was called by my real name, it felt very powerful, and it gave me a sense of identity.  In my father’s culture, most children if not all children carry their father’s name.  It is immaterial whether the child is born in or out of wedlock.  There is no such thing as an illegitimate child, only illegitimate parents.  To this day when I visit there, they make no reference at all to my maternal roots.  My name is Ndabezinhle Maphosa.  My name is my address it defines who I am.  God knew Abraham by name.  This suggested a simple one-to-one relationship.  God is a big God (omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent), yet he became small enough to focus on one individual. 

God knows your name!

STOP THE THIEVES!

Robbers in the house of God!

In the house of God, we don’t buy and sell, we bring gifts; gifts of sacrifice befitting honour to God.  The robbers who receive are cut from the same cloth as the robbers who give.  The one is concerned about what people put into the temple coffers, the other reserves the best gifts for personal use.

The prophet Malachi was confronted with a similar problem, even though it was profiteers of a different sort—the attitude was the same.  God was not happy with the quality of Israel’s gifts and sacrifices, ^{Mal 1:8} “When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong?  When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?  Try offering them to your governor!  Would he be pleased with you?  Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.” 

Ananias and Sapphira ran into grave problems for cheating God.  Believers in the early church had agreed to share their possessions, and the Ananias’ family was part of the deal.  No one was forced, everybody joined in on a voluntary agreement.  When Ananias and his wife saw how much they had made from their deal they decided to secretly keep some of the money and declare a portion of it as the sum total of their transaction.

 

Both died, according to Peter, not because they kept back the money, but because they lied to God (Acts 5:4), the money was theirs to do with it as they saw fit, but they chose not to be honest about the transaction.  Dealing with money matters in the house of God is secondarily a financial matter but primarily a spiritual matter.  Our blessing is not in how much we receive, but in how we give—the gift is the measure of the attitude with which we give.

Giving is not an agreement you make with people but with God. We finally join as a group in a covenant we individually make with God.  The covenant must be between an individual and God, before it is an agreement with the collective.  If you cheat on the covenant, you are lying to the Spirit.

What and how you give says much about your attitude towards God, God blesses the attitude not the gift, people use gifts to bribe others for more business, but that attitude does not go very far with God.  You give because in the end what you have does not really belong to you; the earth in all its fullness belongs to God, you honour God because God has honoured you. 

What could we give to God in exchange of what God has already given to us?  David acknowledged, ^{1Ch 29:14} “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”  In another setting, Jesus watched people place gifts into the temple treasury, some gave large amounts, and a widow walked up and dropped in two copper coins.  And the Master said, ^{Lk 21:3-4} “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”  His maths was proportionally right, she gave one hundred percent, were others gave a smaller percentage of their possessions.

Jesus spoke of her mind-set not her poverty; you give out of your frame of mind not your pocket, your pocket reflects your frame of mind.  As David said, ^{1 Ch 29:17 (NLT)}“I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.  You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.”   Paul said it differently, ^{2Co 9:7(TNIV)} Each of you must should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  It is your heart that determines your gift, not your pocket.

James reminded those who gloat about tomorrow, ^{Jas 4:13-14} “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow.  What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”  James is not saying money is not important, but he is saying there is more to life than making more money, if we find the missing link then our perspectives on money are effortlessly thrown into perspective.

In the order of the Divine, God eventually, has the final word about anything and everything.  We do what we can to the best of our ability and then leave the rest to God.  We plan for tomorrow, “God willing, “ but we live for today, as Jesus taught, ^{Mt 6:34} “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  Even if you did worry, how would that make a difference in your life?

DON'T CHASE A DYING WAVE, WAIT FOR ANOTHER TO RISE, THEN CLIMB IT!

For a very long time it never crossed my mind that there was a connection between the gravitational forces of the moon and the waves of an ocean.  It is these forces that create the waves of the ocean.  The thing about waves is how they build-up with power and rise to the fascination of surfers.  There is a downside though, every wave tends to die down as it rolls along.  Good surfers don't go chasing the dying wave, they wait for another one to rise and then climb it.

Ever so often we chase after dying waves.  We weep over opportunities that rolled past and run behind them as if they will rise again.  In the process we lose sight of other opportunities that come along as we chase dying waves.  It just never strikes us that there are many waves in the ocean; if you miss one wait for another and the ride it.

Very few surfers can switch between high rising waves, sometimes you get swallowed underneath.  If you chase past glories chances are you will exhaust yourself dog-tired.  If you could not ride the wave, either it was not your wave or you were not ready for it.  Step back and prepare for another because the gravitational forces of the moon are always at work creating more and stronger waves.

Just because people ride waves past you does not mean you should give up.  Wait, identify your opportunity, prepare and ride again.  There are many waves in the ocean of life.  Biblical scripture says, 'If the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up the standard against him'  Whatever your situation, however covered by the waters; always know that 'The Standard is Up!'  As Jesus lay in his tomb, those who crucified him thought their mission to shut down the Nazarene was accomplished.  Three days later, the tomb was empty, Jesus had risen again!

While they may be situations that sought to bury you, hold out a picture of the risen Christ before you.  Hear the words of the angel say, 'He is not here anymore, he has risen, just as he said he would.'

NBH BHENGU: MAY HIS VISION LIVE FOREVER

A thug handing over a weapon to NBH Bhengu in one of his evangelistic meetings.

The late NBH Bhengu was a world renowned evangelist in the Assemblies of God in South Africa.  He was converted to Christianity in a tent meeting in Kimberley mines in 1929.  He started preached almost immediately after his conversion.  NBH, as many have come to call him, was passionate about evangelism, education, and people-empowerment.  His meetings were marked by one slogan consistently and throughout his ministry; 'Jesus is the Answer.'

Born as he was in a Lutheran Mission Station, NBH was influenced by the Pan Africanist thinking of his time.  In 1938 he planted his first church in Benoni Old Location, a mining township East of Johannesburg.  This little church later proved to be a catalyst in Pentecostal revivals around what is today known as Gauteng.  Evangelists like Phillip Molefe and others who later became leaders in the International Assemblies of God were products of this church at 4th Street and 4th Avenue, Benoni Old Location.

In 1945 NBH relocated to the Port Elizabeth and East London in the Eastern Cape.  It was here where his ministry was propelled to international proportions.  Always focusing on the African townships of the time, NBH encourage self-sufficiency among his followers.  The townships were dangerous but he dared the situation and gained the respect of many.  At one time the political radicals of the time threatened to 'fry him in boiling oil,' but he continued.  That was not an empty threat; in 1952, during the 'Defiance Campaign' against apartheid, a white woman missionary who was a medical doctor was burnt alive in her car and some of the rioters at her flesh for strength.  But NBH soldiered on; that was how deeply he felt about sharing Christ with his people.

His vision was Pan-African; he wished to see the gospel preached from Cape to Cairo; unfortunately his vision and mission were curtailed by American Missionaries and their African cohorts.  To his dying days, in 1985, NBH decried being misunderstood.  Yet, never before or after has Africa seen a man as passionate for Christ and the people of Africa as NBH Bhengu.

MAY HIS VISION LIVE FOREVER!

PICTURES SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

The history of Pentecostal missionaries and picture-taking is a very controversial one.  The picture above is Harrison Street in 1904 sent to John Alexander Dowie, and the one below was sent to Assemblies of God donors in the 1920/30s.  The thinking behind is very clear.  The sender above wanted to tell a balanced story of the situation in South Africa, while the other one wanted to paint a picture of a continent of savages that warranted his/her presence in South Africa.  While many missionaries were so-called 'Faith-Missionaries;' they often exaggerated  why they should continue their presence in South Africa.  They exploited cultural and continental distance to justify their story.  That pattern has continued in more than a 100 years of Pentecostal missionary presence in Africa.

Building 'The Indigenous Church' is a well known phenomenon in missions.  Missionaries must ultimately 'work themselves out of a job.'  The irony of it all, is that Pentecostal missionaries were also mouthing that platitude; yet in one hundred years they continue to fly in and out of Africa.  In 1914, the AG-USA aspired to build 'The Indigenous Church.'  One of their own, Melvin Hodges, even wrote a book on the subject published in 1953.  Yet Pentecostal missionaries continue to fly in and out of Africa, and their best tool is sending pictures home that justify their presence in Africa.

John G. Lake first arrived in South Africa in 1908 in the aftermath of 312 Azusa Street; in 1913 he went back to the USA having established a fully functioning church in South Africa.  He achieved that in five solid years, and lost his wife in the process.  The question is, why do Pentecostal missionaries of the AG-USA in particular continue to fly in and out of Africa; why is it that they cannot achieve in more than 100 years what Lake achieved in five years?  Something is not right somewhere.  Either people are not asking the right questions or there is something in it for them.

Missionary history is known for its contribution to colonialism and imperialism.  Why do Africans participate in the dubious schemes of African exploitation by those who insist that they are in it for God'sake.  Why do we continue to sell our souls for the crumbs that fall of Mammon's table?

In a hundred years, many Pentecostal leaders have demonstrated that Africans, with the right motivation, can do it.  If they need assistance; then those who wish to assist them must trust them with the funds they raise in their names.  When exactly will this paternalism stop?

The problem though, is not so much with missionaries as it is with the Iscariots among us.  That is as true for the church as it is true for our politicians.

'Botsotsi' in Dog Collars: Survival or Revival!

As apartheid unfolded in 1948, the history of racism in South Africa stretched back to well beyond 1652.  The story of imperialism and colonialism is a long one and need not be rehearsed here.  Soon after the discovery of gold and in the aftermath of the Anglo-Boer War, Johannesburg attracted fortune-seekers like dead meat would green flies.  People flew in from beyond and locals abandoned agrarian ways of living to come to Johannesburg and other townships that sprung up along the Gold-Reef.  A new culture was evolving, and with it new ways of survival.

As the African townships came alive, one way of making money was to brew a concoction of African beer know as 'Skop-Donner.'  So called because it was illegal and whenever the South African Police came around in the African slums they would say, 'Kick-the-bugger.'  The consumers and makers would be bundled into police vans and their concoction thrown out in the dirty and unpaved streets.  Prison terms or fines were a way of life; but no sooner people were back in the townships they returned to their ways of life; it was all they knew how to do.  African women sold this concoction to men after a hard days labour in the mines and often dug holes in the ground in case the police would come around. When times were tough there was always a way out!

Typical in township life were fugitives called "Botsotsi."  These waited in the dark alleys to rob hard earned money from mine-workers and other people.  Often, rival gangs would spring up to protect their territories from outside invasion.  Thus you had rival gangs from different townships always at war with each other.  The townships were widespread, like Alexandra, Sophiatown, Etwatwa, Marabastad and others.  Each area had its kingpins who ruled the 'Turf.'  Township life was dangerous!

It was around such times in 1908 Johannesburg when John G. Lake and his entourage of 13 missionaries arrived in Doornfontein.  A great revival in the pattern of 312 Azusa street ensued and Pentecostalism found its rooting in South Africa.  Many of these gang-leaders were turned to religion and some became preachers of the gospel.  Later, Evangelists like NBH Bhengu and Phillip Molefe were known to deliver truck loads of dangerous weapons to many police stations around the country as 'Botsotsi' surrendered their weapons to receive Jesus as personal Saviour.  Shebeen queens were turned to fundraisers to propagate the gospel and build new lives for their children. The wave hitting the townships was marked by a new culture of  thugs turned into preachers and championing what was called 'Somlandela.'  Commitment to Christ was deep and the theme word was REPENT!

Those days are gone as Johannesburg is invaded by gold-diggers of a different sort.  Digging gold in the house of the Lord.  Prophets scattered far and wide abusing the gospel for personal enrichment.  Thousand of bored insomniacs attend church for personal entertainment and return to their old ways of life.  In many ways FAKE has replaced FAITH!  'Botsotsi'  mistake the church for the mines and have ascended the pulpit for personal gain.

LORD BRING BACK THOSE HAPPY DAYS!