January 9 1995

ARTICLE TOOLS

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GOD'S LOVE, OUR BURDEN

We are challenged today by a modernized recasting of Tertullian's question: What has Boston to do with Bosnia? …

Why should we concern ourselves with the human tragedies of Bosnia, Somalia and Bangladesh? Why should the holocaust taking place in Rwanda touch our lives when it is obvious that the sovereign Lord has placed us so as to be secure from those dangers and other winds of adversity? Should we worry about restoring democracy to Haiti, ask questions about human rights in China or be concerned with the plight of Cuban emigrants?

Why should we burden ourselves with the burdens of the world and allow [ourselves] to be disturbed by statistics of war, disease and poverty? Why should the turmoils of the world disrupt the tranquility of our hearts and surrounding?

May I suggest that there is only one compelling reason—"For God so loved the world."

- Peter Kuzmic at his installation as Distinguished Professor of World Missions and European Missions at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Sept. 9, 1994)

MIXED-UP GENERATION

We are disgusted by the things that we desire, and we desire what disgusts us.

- New York Gov. Mario Cuomo in a speech quoted in

"Newsweek" (Oct. 24, 1994)

FEAR NOTHING OR FEAR EVERYTHING

The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God you fear everything else.

- Oswald Chambers in

"The Highest Good"

TRUE GRIT

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.

- G. K. Chesterton in

"What's Wrong with the World"

THE CENTRAL QUESTION

The Christian faith is the most exciting drama that ever staggered the imagination of man—and the dogma is the drama. That drama ...