Friday 28 January 2011

Background

In today's passage, the writer to the Hebrews broadens the themeof sacrifice to include the subject of suffering, focusingspecifically on the issue of persecution. The writer commends thosebelievers who not only stood up for their faith when persecuted,but also stood alongside others when they faced similartrials.

There are often interesting debates about whether Christians inthis country face persecution. While some assert that this is stilla Christian country whose Judeo-Christian foundations continue toshape society, others maintain the rise of rampant secularism hasundermined these core values, forcing Christianity to retreat frompublic spaces. It is argued that a subtle form of anti-Christianprejudice exists which does not allow believers to stand up forJesus without fear of being cut down for their beliefs.

What cannot be doubted is the fact that Christians in Britain donot face the pernicious, institutionalised prejudice experienced bythose believers in Hebrews. Moreover, they do not suffer the formsof persecution experienced by believers in other parts of the worldtoday.

There has always been a lively debate as to the degree to whichJudeo-Christians ethics have informed the development of humanrights, the rule of law, democracy and even economics in westernsociety. Another linked debate revolves around whether the economicpowerhouses of the 21st century will be countries that are not fromthis particular tradition. The last point is important becausewhile many western 'Christian' countries are falling overthemselves to get a slice of this economic pie, insufficientattention is being paid to the maltreatment and human rights abusesfaced by Christians in these emerging countries. Sadly, thispersecution is overlooked or played down for fear of causing anoffence that would jeopardise economic opportunities. The writer tothe Hebrews affirms Christians when they show solidarity withfellow believers facing persecution. This means speaking outwhenever this occurs, irrespective of the circumstances.

To Ponder

How can we stand alongside those who facepersecution?

Can economic interests ever outweigh moral orethnical ones? Why, or why not?