7 mins
A word of encouragement
IT’S not difficult to find examples of politicians who have found themselves the subject of vicious smear campaigns - often conducted by sections of the popular press.
It would seem that the apostle Paul was subject to the same kind of campaign. We can deduce as much from the various ways in which he attempts to defend himself in the first part of c2. Was it being suggested that his time in Thessalonica had been a failure; nothing more than a waste of time? (c2v1) Had his detractors been implying that his teaching was erroneous, that his motives had been less than pure and that really he was nothing more than a con artist? (c2v3) Were those who were ‘whispering’ against Paul, doubtless in an attempt to destabilise the new converts, insinuating that he was a people-pleaser, a flatterer who would have said anything to persuade his hearers? (c2v4-6)
There’s no doubt that there are times when we need to defend ourselves. For Paul, this was such a time. It wasn’t that he was bothered on a personal level; he was subject to far worse than mischievous slander throughout his mission journeys. But now the gospel was at stake. The newly-planted church in Thessalonica was at stake. His children in Christ were under threat and he wasn’t about to let it go.Be careful when you find yourself tempted to retaliate, that it’s more than your pride that’s been injured
We should reflect for a moment on the accusation that had been made, that Paul and his companions were people pleasers (c2v4) Of course it’s easy enough to fall into that trap; of saying what we think people will want to hear. Through the generations, doubtless the Church has made that mistake from time to time. Of course we should continually subject our belief systems and ethical stances to rigorous theological enquiry. And sometimes we’ll find ourselves concluding, ‘We were wrong about that.’
But that’s an entirely different thing from changing tack and coming up with new thinking because we imagine it might be more palatable to people. There’s no evidence that Jesus ‘softened his message’ when the crowds began to dwindle, or that he looked to find a compromise position with the rich young ruler who found himself unable to accept the demands of the call (John 6:60-66; Mark 10:17-27.)
Loving people isn’t necessarily the same as trying to please people.
In defending his record, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that when among them, he had ‘encouraged, comforted and urged them’ to lead lives worthy of God. (c2v12) Someone once wrote that, ‘A word of encouragement following a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.’
When was the last time you went out of your way to encourage someone, perhaps someone within your congregation or a young person with whom you have some influence?
When running my first ever marathon back in 1985, I got to the 20 mile mark and found myself absolutely shattered and close to giving up. Then, turning onto Glasgow’s Fleurs Avenue, I heard a shout from the crowd; ‘C’mon Martin! Keep going!’
It was all I needed. With new energy, I picked up the pace and run the closing miles with confidence, all the way to the finish line.
As Paul encouraged the young Christians at Thessalonica, who might you be encouraging in the coming days?
The Rev Dr Martin Fair is minister at Arbroath: St Andrew’s.
THE TELL IT TOGETHER GOSPEL: MARK Written by: Bob Hartman and Paula Gooder
Published by: SPCK Price: £9.99
For anyone seeking to share the story of Mark’s Gospel in a different and original way in a fun and engaging group setting, this book is a must-read.
Gooder, a biblical scholar and Hartman, a well-known storyteller, have joined forces to produce an immensely practical book that brings the 2000-year-old Gospel of Mark to life. The storytelling is based around a completely new translation of the Greek text of the Gospel story by Gooder.
Designed to encourage participation in the story, the aim of the book is to bring its deeper meaning to life for an intergenerational audience and in language and in a style that is accessible in a group setting.
By encouraging audience participation, the story as told by Mark is brought to life and its purpose and meaning will become more firmly embedded in the consciousness of those taking part.
Each of the 16 chapters can be worked through individually or taken together over a longer period.
An introduction is full of useful tips on how to use the book and encourage participation, but the emphasis is firmly on fun and those introducing the work are encouraged to do so with a ‘smile on your face’. Creativity in dropping or changing suggestions for the interactive retelling is also encouraged.
In a final encouraging note, the authors add: “Above all, create a welcoming environment, where everyone is invited to join with you as you climb into the text and ‘tell it together!’”
THE JOURNEY TO THE MAYFLOWER God’s Outlaws and the Invention of Freedrom
Written by: Stephen Tomkins Published by: Hodder & Stoughton Price: £14
2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, the famous ship which took the Pilgrim Fathers to the ‘New World’ of America. It is a huge event in the history of the USA, but began in Britain and history has shown the pilgrims as pioneers of religious freedom. Born into a country espousing the Church of England, they felt apart from the Protestant movement of the day and developed as Separatists, sometimes at great personal cost, meeting illegally and facing prison, violence and death for following their path of spiritual freedom.
This fascinating book weaves together an account of the history that led them to the Mayflower - the politics, history and religious views of the day - and a transatlantic voyage that brought them to a new life, which is now regarded as a key moment in the history of the USA, but was also a key part of English history which has contemporary overtones, touching on areas such as religious violence and freedom of religion. The work shows that religious difference and disagreement are not new issues and also shows how exclusion and exile shaped a new chapter of social history.
Tomkins has written a number of books on Christian history, including biographies of William Wilberforce and John Wesley and has a strong background in the media, as well as a PhD in church history of the London School of Theology.
The history itself is clear and concise, written in accessible language and clearly aimed at a popular global audience. It will likely be the first of many in this historic year celebrating the arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers in the New World.
The work has been endorsed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu who has described it as ‘a rattling good read’.
SHARING REFLECTIONS Written by: Bill Donaldson
Published by: Makar Publishing Price: £8.00
This collection of reflections, poetry and prose, brings together a sometimes eclectic mix of moving personal experience, comment and literature - all firmly fixed and rooted in Christian themes.
The book is the fourth published by the author, a retired headteacher, and all proceeds from the book (through selected outlets) are donated to Christian Aid.
The book is designed to be dipped in to at leisure and includes reflections from a wide range of writers including, the Very Rev Dr James Simpson, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1996/97 and also includes a prayer from the former Bishop of Edinburgh, the Rev Richard Holloway.
The book spans themes of interest to a contemporary Christian audience, including communication, climate change, prayer, greed, peace and truth. It is a charming and sometimes moving read with deep spiritual roots
COLUMBA
The Faith of an Island Soldier Written by: Bruce Ritchie Published by: Christian Focus Publications Price: £17.99
The life of Columba is woven into the religious history of Scotland. His impact and work from his base on Iona clearly laid firm foundations for the development of Christianity in Scotland.
His life and work has been the subject of many books. In this latest work, Ritchie, a Church of Scotland minister and academic who has taught at Highland Theological College and Zomba Theological Seminary in Malawi, offers a full account of the life of Columba, meticulously researched and aimed at those with a keen interest in early church history.
The work has been endorsed by, among others, David Fergusson, Professor of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh who describes the book as ‘a scholarly and comprehensive account of Columba’ which is ‘deserving of a wide readership’.
Lynne McNeil
This article appears in the March 2020 Issue of Life and Work
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