Heroes Matter

Too often the Christian faith is presented as a series of mistakes. The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Salem Witch Trials, and angry evangelists yelling insults on the corner are offered as typical examples of the fruit of Christian faith. But that is far from the whole story. It is our responsibility that students get a bigger picture of what God has done through the life of his people.

I have heroes who are not Christian, and I don't discourage that. Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Steve Jobs have been an inspiration on many levels. Heroes are not perfect. Only God fits that description. These people all have flaws, just like I do, but that doesn't negate those parts of their lives that have made me dream bigger dreams.

That said, we need to teach each generation that great things have been done in Jesus' name. There is much to be admired in both Saint Patrick's very New Testament approach to mission work as well as the fruit that came from the effort he inspired. The commitment, struggles, and insights of J. Hudson Taylor are inspirational. As are William and Catherine Booth, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Aquinas, and many others.

While it is important to pass on the stories of missionaries and clergy, I think it is vital that we give even more examples of Christians who were not clergy and made a difference in the world. Galileo had many faults, but his Biblical defense of science in the face of persecution was brilliant. Elizabeth Fry reformed the British penal system and returned hope to many who had been cast aside. That reform helped shape American Law. William Wilberforce used his political position to work for the abolishment of slavery in Britain based on Biblical grounds. It took most of his life to accomplish, but in the end success was achieved without a shot being fired. George Washington Carver started his life as a slave and ended it as an advisor to Presidents. He used his gifts to make discoveries so that fewer people would go hungry. His ethics, his understanding of science, the way he spent his life were all directed by the God he overheard white people talking about. The God that he was so intrigued by that he taught himself to read so he could read the Bible for himself. These are only a few of the people who were not clergy but used their gifts to help establish the kingdom of God.

Too often, vocational ministry is the model held up to students as a way to serve Christ powerfully. We may remind them occasionally that God uses everyone, but unless we have examples to give them, to feed them regularly, that message seems to be little more than an afterthought.

Our students are given a few examples of evil done in the name of Jesus. It's our job to supply them with the bigger picture, with all the good God has been able to do through us in spite of our shortcomings. They need specific examples, though, rather than vague statements. Our mistakes are exposed in excruciating detail, as they should be. The good deserves just as much attention to detail.

In the next blog, I'll offer some names and materials to help you introduce students to some heroes of faith.