28 March, 2024

Real Hope

by | 13 August, 2014 | 1 comment

By Jim Tune

Last spring I taught a course on apologetics. We devoted considerable attention to the resurrection. I wanted students to sink deep roots in the ground of real hope””not optimism, not wishful thinking, but hope!

04_knowles_easter2_JNI remember a story about a painful time in the life of a young missionary woman. This woman had married a Rwandan pastor, a Tutsi, and they had established a home together in that country. She was visiting Kenya on a mission trip when the dreadful Rwandan tragedy erupted. Hutu militia moved in, butchering men, women, and children wherever they went. The ensuing mayhem became one of the most brutal genocides ever.

The militia came to the couple”s region, and anarchy reigned. The missionary woman could not return to Rwanda. The borders were closed, and the situation was extremely chaotic.

Eventually she left Kenya and waited for news in her native America. Her church surrounded her with love and prayer. Days turned to weeks, and she heard nothing. She told her pastor many times that she had an absolute conviction her husband was alive. Her pastor shared later that the more certain she became about her husband”s safety, the more concerned he became about her. In reality there was only the slightest chance her husband had not been killed.

Her minister tried to say pastoral words that would open her mind to the possibility her husband might already be with the Lord. But she wouldn”t hear those words, and he said he couldn”t blame her. To the woman it sounded like her preacher lacked faith.

Months passed before they heard any news. Finally a firm report was delivered. Someone had seen her husband taken away and shot. The news devastated her. The pain of loss was bad enough, but the false hope made it a hundred times worse.

That”s a point C.S. Lewis makes in his book, A Grief Observed. Every person who has been by the bedside of a loved one and has seen them rally, only to see them decline, knows what I”m talking about. Hope cannot be a good thing if it”s not real.

How many times have you heard the phrase, “I”m really glad your faith works for you”? When a person says that, he or she means it doesn”t matter whether Christianity is true or not””all that matters is it”s a positive experience for people like you.

But the Bible absolutely disagrees with that sentiment. If Christ is not risen, our faith is nothing more than an emotional crutch. Paul makes it painstakingly clear, everything stands or falls on whether or not Christ was raised. And on this point Paul declares boldly: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

In this postmodern environment, the apologetic approach is changing from an “evidence that demands a verdict” methodology to a philosophical argument. Whatever your preferred approach, sink some roots into deep resurrection ground. There you will find it””real hope!

1 Comment

  1. Darren

    Amen brother!

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us