“For such a time as this?” Biblical theology and the fate of leaders

The book of Esther contains that familiar line that that young girl came into the kingdom “for such a time as this.” The text lays out the simple Biblical theology that God is in charge of history and individual destiny. 

Well,  I believe it. I believe that God moves in history in judgement, in mercy and in covenant: just don’t make it too simplistic for me okay?  It’s a mystery.

In respect of this mystery, we ponder the assasination of Bhutto, an event that took  ‘ONE OF PAKISTAN’S BEST HOPES’ FOR AN END TO PERSECUTION.” It is clear that the murder of Benazir Bhutto is a major setback to Christian hopes for an end to persecution in Pakistan, according to human rights agencies reported in the Church Times today (4.1.08). Nasir Saeed, director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, said Ms Bhutto’s death is ‘devastating news’ for the Christian population in Pakistan. Ms Bhutto had promised to end persecution once she succeeded in returning to Parliament. Senior members of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, representing Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities, had accompanied her at her Rawalpindi rally. In the UK, Christian Solidarity Worldwide said Ms Bhutto ‘was viewed as one of Pakistan’s best hopes’ for a democracy ‘in which the rights of all religious communities are respected’.

And whilst you consider God’s hand in history and the fate of leaders, think  about Mike Huckabee’s surprising win in the early stages of the US Presidential election (Times 4.01.08). It is reckoned to be the all-important evangelical vote that has swung behind the chirpy Baptist pastor. Evangelical Christians played a critical part yesterday in electing Baptist minister Mike Huckabee as Republican candidate in the first step of the US presidential nominations, pushing Hilary Clinton into third place. Evangelicals constitute some 30 to 50 per cent of Republican voters in Iowa’s 1,780 caucuses and Huckabee, a former governor of Arkansas, became their default candidate. Mitt Romney, Huckabee’s main rival, outspent Huckabee by 15 to one and was expected to win the vote. But Protestant campaigns criticising Romney’s Mormon faith and informal church networking appeared to have weakened his support. Neither candidate is likely to fare so well, however, in next Tuesday’s elections in New Hampshire, where voters are more secular-minded. Interesting to consider though?

Leaders generally suffer the reverse fate, as expressed  in the condemnation of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connnor’s remarks on the Polish Catholics in the UK.  Representatives of UK’s Polish Catholics have attacked the cardinal  for voicing fears that Polish immigrants are creating a separate church in Britain. The Archbishop of Westminster said he hoped ‘those responsible for the Polish church here’ and Poles themselves would integrate into local parishes ‘as soon as possible when they learn enough of the language’. But Grazyna Sikorska of the Polish Catholic Mission said the remarks were offensive to her community and left her feeling ‘violated’ and ‘spiritually raped’. A spokesman for the Cardinal moved to mend the rift. He praised the contribution of the Polish community to the Church’s life but appealed for ‘closer collaboration’. (Daily Telegraph 31.12.07). 

Conservative Anglican leaders are planning their own Lambeth alternative to be set up in Jerusalem.  Plans have been revealed to stage an alternative summit for bishops who decide to boycott the Anglican communion’s official conference in July. The website of Global Anglican Future Conference says the communion is close to breaking up over the consecration of gay bishop Gene Robinson. The Jerusalem summit is designed to offer ‘fellowship and care’ for up to a third of bishops who might not attend Lambeth because of Archbishop Rowan Williams’ resolve to invite bishops from the church’s American province. Concerns about Lambeth have also been raised by the Bishop of Manchester, who is planning to attend. While criticising colleagues who plan to boycott the event, Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch is dismayed that there are no plans for a major public debate on the issue of gay clergy. Unity would not be achieved by sweeping the controversy ‘under the carpet’ he wrote in Crux, his diocesan magazine. For such a time as this…. leaders give clear signals as to where they stand.

In an interesting contrast, the Archbishop of Kenya has urged church leaders to ‘make a passionate appeal’ for ‘calm, peace and brotherly love’ and to join in prayer and fasting in the wake of violence that has claimed 250 to 300 lives. The Most Revd Benjamin Nzimbi said he was ‘in mediation’ with supporters of President Kibaki and his challenger Raila Odinga. After the election Mr Odinga accused the President of election fraud and EU monitors said the counting process ‘lacked credibility’. A wave of attacks upon members of Mr Kibaki’s Kikuyu ethnic group has about 100,000 people to flee their homes. Roman Catholic priest Fr Paul Brennan in Eldoret said churches are packed with refugees and four or five thousand have taken refuge in the region’s cathedral.

And finally, a poll of members of the Church of England General Synod has revealed widespread discontent with the position of religion in public life. More than half said Gordon Brown’s government is failing to support Christianity in the UK, but there was even deeper disappointment in the role of schools and the BBC. Here 81 and 92 percent of members respectively felt religion was being let down. Only the Queen was praised for her defence of religion in public life with eight in ten synod members supporting her. For such a time is this….