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Jeff Adams

Doctrine of Suffering?

June 24, 2009

Whew! Just got home from Philadelphia. We waited on the tarmac for an hour to take off and I thought for sure I would miss my connecting flight in Cleveland. I wasn’t looking forward to having to spend the night there, but I am very thankful to say that I just did make my flight! They had to open the door for me to let me on, but I made it. Thank God! I’m tired, but home.

Over this past week I have had several things to say about believers in places like Iran, missionaries martyred or imprisoned and other such issues. This morning I got an email informing me of yet another US missionary who was martyred and leaves behind a wife and four young children. I can’t tell you where or give you any more details for security reasons, but I’m making the point that this happens more often than many people realize. In fact, I have reason to believe that a short term team from one of our sister churches here in Kansas City actually ministered with this brother last year.

New missionary appointees at Christar were welcomed into membership at a banquet last Friday night. It is always a sobering moment as they recite in unison the covenant that they make to join Christar. It includes a statement recognizing that they will be serving in places where they may very well be called upon to suffer or even experience martyrdom.

This morning in our international board meeting we were discussing how those of us in the West often fail to see things the way believers from other cultures often see them. For example, while we have our systematic theologies made up of doctrines like the doctrine of Christ (Christology), the doctrine of things to come (eschatology), doctrine of salvation (soteriology), etc. Believers in other cultures often add  a section called something like the doctrine of suffering or the doctrine of martyrdom.

Have you ever thought of that? Seriously:? Here in the West we have our Prosperity Gospel, the “Name it and Claim it” crowd, and all sorts of superficial applications of scripture twisted out of context. What does the Bible say about believers suffering, or the possibility of martyrdom? There’s something for you to meditate on tomorrow!

  • Jackie

    Good morning Jeff,
    I’m not sure what the “statute of limitations” is or blog etiquette regarding late comments to a post :-) but here is a quote I encountered this morning (Miles Stanford). Ironically or providentially in the devotional I’m reading for the day you challenged us to meditate on suffering was the topic of … suffering.

    “Where there is no Cross there is no life, and no ministry of life. The object of suffering is that there may be a full and abundant ministry. . . . We are not to invite trouble, nor by austerity to ill-treat our bodies. The Holy Spirit Himself takes responsibility for our experience, leading us in paths where we encounter, in body, heart, or spirit, that measure of ‘the dying of Jesus’ that will mean enrichment of our ministry.”

  • CtfromNH

    John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

    Three promises here. In Christ, we might have peace. In the world, we SHALL have tribulation. Christ has overcome the world!

    I try to remember this one, even though my “afflictions” are nothing life or death, as you’re talking about in other countries:
    Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

  • Rick Kuenzler

    I’ve been thinking a lot about the subject of suffering lately. The phrase that keeps me going and strengthens me is the phrase “who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” I have suffered very little here in America, but I often think of those called to lay down their life for the gospel’s sake. Good thoughts Jeff.

    • http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

      Thanks, Rick. Good verse.

  • Mona

    One thing that I will never forget from our days in Saudi Arabia was witnessing to an Arab woman who was very interested. I had never had any one there this interested and was really exited that I might be used to bring a Muslim to Christ. Then I realized that if she accepted Christ, she would most likely be killed – she would at least lose everything including her kids. It was very sobering. I’ve never heard anyone talk about that – but answering the question “Are you willing to put the life of someone else on the line for Christ?” is something that causes a lot of deep thought, sleepless nights and prayer!

    • http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

      Exactly what I’m talking about, Mona. There are many cultures in which the decision to follow Christ can result in immediate and difficult consequences, even martyrdom at times.

  • unixrab

    our culture sucks…. westernciv….

    ….. what ***does*** the Bible say about “recite in unison the covenant ….. to join Christar.”

    • http://www.kcbt.org Jeff Adams

      I think you know better than that. The Bible doesn’t say anything about reciting a covenant together, but it is way in which missionaries have joined this particular mission for many decades, some of whom have indeed paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is a sobering reminder of all the Bible and training that they have learned during their years of preparation and training and promise to God, family and selves that they are resolved to serve the Lord in the most difficult and dangerous places no matter the cost involved.

      As for the comment “our culture sucks” … westernciv …” – I have no clue what you mean to say. Are you thinking of moving to another culture? :-)

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